Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley has given his backing to the Federation of Master Builders’ campaign for mandatory licensing of building companies.
Richard argues that proper regulation in the sector would protect consumers and support legitimate tradespeople.
Speaking on the FMB podcast Build up from the Basement, Quigley addressed the urgent need for reform in an industry where rogue operators can devastate families’ finances and dreams of home ownership. The MP spoke about constituents who have fallen victim to unscrupulous builders:
“When you’ve got constituents coming to you saying ‘we’ve been a victim of a rogue builder,’ you’re not talking about a couple hundred quid. You’re talking about people who’ve lost £30,000, £40,000, £50,000 and are not in a position where their home is what they wanted—or even safe.”
“Highlighting the current regulatory gap, Quigley noted: “At the minute, there’s nothing to stop anyone setting up as a builder. You could set up as builders tomorrow.”
When asked if he supported licensing building companies, Mr Quigley MP threw his full support behind it:
“No decent builder will be against it,, good builders want to be distinguished from the rogues. They want customers to have confidence in their work and qualifications.”
His support comes as the government is expected to respond soon to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s (ESNZ) recommendation for licensing in the retrofit sector, following the ESNZ Committee’s findings on the urgent need for consumer protection in home improvement works.
CEO of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry, says:
”I am delighted that the MP for the Isle of Wight West, Richard Quigley has openly backed the FMB’s campaign for the licensing of building companies.
“Too many people across the country right are being affected by rogue companies often with terrible consequences such as losing their life savings and suffering huge emotional stress as a result. A staggering £14.3bn has been lost to rogue traders over the last five years.
“A mandatory licensing scheme of building companies is the only way to protect homeowners and reputable builders.”
Beyond licensing, Quigley used the platform to champion the value of local, SME building firms and skilled trades. With the Isle of Wight facing a housing crisis -2,400 households on waiting lists and 800 people in emergency accommodation – he stressed the vital role of smaller builders:
“We’ve relied on big builders, but if one of them falls over or is under financial pressure, developments don’t happen. I cherish the smaller builders. They provide innovation and different offerings, and they’re probably key to achieving net zero.”
Facing a demographic challenge where only 35% of the population will be of working age in 15 years, the MP stressed the need for cultural change:
“There’s no such thing as a menial job—there are menial attitudes towards people. We need to respect trades again. Without these people, we don’t have the secure homes we need.”
Does that mean Bronco Billy won’t turn up
wearing Spurs
Lol
I always get my tradesmen from Pompey.
Great guys and much cheaper than island tradesmen
many of whom are unreliable.
Your an a hole not supporting local businesses
but then your Probly not even born on the island w!!!!!
Ive been a builder for years, and given the way most of the major developers on the island operate this is pointless.
if the big developers can cut corners, go bankrupt twice a year and genraly do a bad job then whats the point
Quigley talking rubbish and trying to make honest reputable businesses pay money to a Private Organisation. No wonder the NFB is cheering him on.
As an MP his efforts would be more productive lobbying legislation changes to deal with “All types of Companies” not just builders.
It needs to make it illegal for rogue traders, individuals and companies who keep going Bankrupt, throwing themselves into Voluntary Liquidation over and over again or stealing money from Clients.
Rogue traders, etc. are the ones who need dealing with properly, too many loopholes, too much protection on their personal assets, if they were always at risk, they wouldn’t do it, and people wouldn’t be loosing money.
Going Backrupt, liquidated once is bad enough, twice is never acceptable. And there are many of them, all over the UK doing it, including here.
Joining any “Club” will not stop bad builders, only severe legislation, high fines, prison, etc will!