Home News House building to work through new lockdown

The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation, Stewart Baseley and Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry, have written to the housing industry to make clear that house building – and its supply chains that support it – should continue working securely. The government is clear that work can continue if this is done in line with public health guidance.

Earlier this year, the government worked with the industry to produce a clear and simple Charter on safe working, and updated Site Operating Procedureshave been published by the Construction Leadership Council. Guidance on moving home must be followed and there is government guidance on working in other people’s homes.

The statement said: “The housing industry has reacted with agility to the extraordinary circumstances presented by COVID-19. Its determination to keep building, repairing, buying and selling the homes our country needs has been a crucial part of the economic response to COVID-19.

“House building – and its supply chains – should continue working securely. The Government is clear that work can continue if this is done in line with public health guidance. Construction and other site workers can go to work. Care should be taken to respect social distancing while travelling to and from work as well as in the workplace.”

Buying, selling and renting a home can continue, in a COVID-secure way, as it has in recent months. Estate and letting agents can operate, show homes and sales suites can remain open and property viewings, mortgage valuations and surveys can take place.

The statement concluded by saying: “We are committed to supporting the sector through this emergency to continue working safely to build, buy and sell the homes we all need.”

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