It notes that to tackle the growing housing crisis as demonstrated by the falling number of new homes being built and the failure to retrofit at scale the existing 29 million homes, a devoted Secretary of State for Housing is the need of the hour.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “As we approach the General Election the new government needs to address the growing housing crisis if it is to stimulate economic growth. Without an adequate supply of homes people can’t move freely, which stifles growth and opportunities.”

The FMB’s General Election manifesto calls on the new government to take urgent steps to boost house building rates; tackle the ongoing skills crisis in construction; support the rollout of energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes;  and introduce a scheme to set a minimum competency level for builders.

Berry added:  “Housing delivery requires a competent and available workforce, which is why we’re calling for clear pathways into the building industry to help professionalise and boost the image of the industry so that a new generation of people can join the construction sector.”

He believes that the next government should ensure that the building profession finally rids itself of cowboy builders.

“It’s not right that anyone can call themselves a builder without any minimum level of competence, therefore we want to see the new government work with the industry to make this a reality,” he noted.

Berry concluded: “The FMB’s manifesto sets out a comprehensive set of policies that will help builders drive long-term growth. Helping to deliver positive change in our industry is crucial to delivering sustainable long-term economic growth for the UK.

“The FMB is showing that local builders, who are too often forgotten about by politicians, are part of the solution to creating a more dynamic country.”