In a recent visit to the brand new Chesterton brick factory in Newcastle-under-Lyme English Housing Minister Kris Hopkins hailed the impact of the Help to Buy scheme for delivering a surge of business to the construction sector.
Minister Hopkins explained that the brick industry is ramping up production after several slow years since the crash in 2008, largely because of the rapid increase in construction that house builders say is the result of the government’s Help to Buy scheme. Minister Hopkins added that the Brick makers are staying open over the Christmas period, when they usually close, to catch up with demand, with 2013 production expected to be around 1.73 billion bricks.
“I’m delighted to be in Newcastle-under-Lyme today to see how this is delivering a boost for brick makers. Enough bricks will be made in 2013 to go 9 times round the earth or build 28 St Pancras stations, and I’m hoping next year we’ll make enough to reach the moon.”
Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation explained that Eight out of 10 bricks manufactured in the UK are for house building, so brick production is a good barometer for the housing market and economy as a whole.
“Help to Buy is driving a big increase in house building activity. If people can buy, builders will build. Existing sites are being built out quicker and developers are looking to start on new ones sooner. As a result there is an increased demand for labour and materials and we are seeing the supply chain respond. The increase in house building activity is creating jobs both directly on site and indirectly in the supply chain.” Mr Basley commented.