WITH a focus on skill shortages, particularly for small and medium-sized firms, your editorial ("Constructing a skills-based future for young people", The Herald, April 28) points to the spotlight which is being thrown on the need for a significant home-building boost across the UK by all political parties.
As the trade body representing home builders north of the Border, Homes for Scotland speaks for some 200 organisations together delivering 95 per cent of new homes for sale. Recognising that lack of skilled labour is an issue which affects all home builders regardless of size, it is an area which we have been actively working on for some time through our pre-apprenticeship programme with The Prince's Trust. In addition to concerns surrounding the skills gap, the main issues our members are raising with us surround the planning system and access to development finance.
Whilst we are encouraged to see housing as a high-profile issue in the General Election, it is clear that many barriers require to be overcome if housing production is to increase from the 1947 level at which it currently sits.
Philip Hogg,
Chief executive,
Homes for Scotland,
5 New Mart Place,
Edinburgh.
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