LONDON: The Federation of Master Builders says that nearly half of all its members expect their workload to decrease this year. The federation warns that the recent rise in VAT will cost jobs within the industry.
Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the federation said: "The VAT increase will result in a two percent decrease in demand for domestic repair, maintenance and improvement work which will mean 11,400 job losses in construction alone by 2019."
Mr Berry expressed concern that the VAT rise will encourage the public to use rogue traders willing not to charge VAT.
"The simple solution is to reduce the rate of VAT on home repairs as this offers the best hope of encouraging take up of the government's Green Deal as well as helping to create jobs in the construction sector," he said.
