Led by the Home Builders Federation, the letter to prime minister Rishi Sunak is signed by 200 SMEs.<\/p>\n
It follows a HBF survey that found that 92% of SMEs are unhappy with the government\u2019s approach to housing<\/a>, and highlights the \u201cexistential threat to the survival of businesses posed by the increasingly anti-development policy environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Saying that it is has “never been more difficult to be an SME developer than it has at the present time”, the letter warns that 78% of SME firms are considering scaling back residential construction projects, which will undoubtedly worsen the shortage of affordable housing in the UK.<\/p>\n The letter to Sunak said: \u201cSME developers remain committed to addressing the country\u2019s housing crisis and to increasing home ownership, but we cannot do it without a change of direction and policy from the government.<\/p>\n \u201cPrime Minister, your government\u2019s current and proposed policies are devastating our industry. It is not too late to turn things around. Please help us before even more damage is done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSMEs are the lifeblood of all industries, but in house building we are seeing them being driven out by an increasingly anti-development, antibusiness policy environment\u201d<\/p>\n Stewart Baseley, HBF\u2019s Executive Chairman #SaveOurSMEs<\/a> \ud83c\udfd8\ufe0f @10DowningStreet<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xOgmRgKZER<\/a><\/p>\n — Home BuildersFed HBF (@HomeBuildersFed) July 6, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOther issues identified in the SME letter to the prime minister include:<\/h3>\n
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The HBF said there are 85% fewer SMEs than a generation ago<\/h3>\n
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