FMB survey gives more bad news for builders

The prognosis for the UK building industry is getting worse, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

In its latest quarterly survey the body has said the industry is still seeing a slowdown in demand for the building of homes and other buildings.

The survey found that 40 per cent had seen their workload fall since the first quarter of this year, while 50 per cent anticipate the private housing sector workload to drop in the next three months.

FMB director of external affairs Brian Berry commented: "What our survey shows is that builders are operating in an increasingly difficult market."

Such news indicates that the choice of new homes is likely to go on falling, meaning those looking for a house that is just right for them may have another good reason to consider the self build option.

An example of the slowdown in home building this week was the news of the postponement of the Lumiere project in Leeds, which was set to see western Europe's highest residential skyscraper built in the heart of Leeds.