Small and Medium-sized Housebuilders

Lord Londesborough Excerpts
Wednesday 12th July 2023

(10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Londesborough Portrait Lord Londesborough (CB)
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My Lords, the steep decline in SME builders is deeply disturbing. Their market share has dropped from 40% to 10% in the past 35 years. How does increasing the market dominance of a small number of big players square with the Government’s often-mentioned mission to drive economic growth through innovation and competition?

Baroness Scott of Bybrook Portrait Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)
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As I said in answer to a previous question, we need both. We need everybody, including small builders, local authorities and larger builders, to make sure that we build the houses that this country urgently needs. I am aware that the SME sector is currently struggling with challenges, particularly with the macroeconomic climate. We will continue to prioritise supporting the industry and local areas and delivering the safe, high-quality homes that this country needs.