Redrow Shortage of skilled workers threatens UK's 2020 housing targets 
The shortage of skilled workers such as carpenters and bricklayers threatens to hold back the UK government’s promise to create 200,000 new homes by 2020. Building site demand is increasingly high, with some areas paying bricklayers £50,000 per year for their skill set. The Federation of Master Builders has found that 59% of small- to medium-sized construction companies are struggling to find skilled bricklayers, with 55% having difficulties in finding joiners and carpenters. The government is attempting to tackle the issue by putting £2.5bn into apprenticeships by 2020. Chief executive of the house builder Redrow, John Tutte, said: "A drive for more homes must come hand in hand with a drive to recruit workers".

Britain's need for new homes is being held back by a shortage of skilled workers such as bricklayers and carpenters, experts have warned.

They say the crisis threatens a Government promise to provide 200,000 new homes a year by 2020.

Demand on building sites is so high that brickies can earn £50,000 a year in some areas.

Shortage: Demand on building sites is so high that brickies can earn £50,000 a year in some areas

The Federation of Master Builders said 59 per cent of small and medium-sized construction firms were struggling to hire skilled bricklayers, while 55 per cent had trouble finding carpenters and joiners.

'This severe shortage of skilled labour is starting to have a very real effect on the industry's capacity to deliver more homes,' said FMB chief executive Brian Berry.

'A shortage of tradespeople is a major barrier to increasing the delivery of new homes.'

John Tutte, chief executive of the housebuilder Redrow, said: 'A drive for more homes must come hand in hand with a drive to recruit workers.'

There are also fears that Brexit could cut off a vital supply of manpower from Eastern Europe.