In this episode of Build Up: From the Basement, Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice joins FMB CEO Brian Berry and host Iona Stewart-Richardson to discuss the future of UK housebuilding and small construction businesses. Tice shares his backing for the FMB’s Licence to Build campaign, his concerns about missed housing targets, and why he believes smart, simple regulation is key to tackling rogue builders. The conversation covers everything from energy costs and net zero challenges to apprenticeships, tax incentives, and unlocking brownfield sites. If you care about housing policy, small builders, and the big ideas shaping construction, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

What does it really take to hit the UK’s ambitious housing targets, and why does design matter just as much as quantity? In this episode of Build Up: From the Basement, Iona sits down with Kit Malthouse MP, former Housing Minister, to explore the big lessons from his time in government and his candid predictions for the future of construction. From the challenges of meeting the 300,000 homes target to the practical constraints of bricks, skills, and planning, Kit shares what he learned about turning policy into real homes and why his mantra was “more, better, faster.”

The conversation also dives into the “conspiracy of crap” in housing design, the vital role of small builders, and how to make construction an aspirational career for the next generation. Kit offers his views on apprenticeships, progression, and whether licensing builders would help or hinder the industry – with stories from his time in Government, and his own experience hiring builders. Packed with insights and straight-talking advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about housing, design, and the future of UK construction.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Reader MP for Northampton South - a former civil engineer turned Construction Champion for the UK Government - to explore the future of UK construction, infrastructure, and housing policy. With nearly 20 years in the industry at firms like Mace and Pick Everard, Mike brings real-world insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the built environment today.

We talk about:

UK government housebuilding targets and why they’re so hard to hit

How SMEs and builders can stay resilient amid regulations and market shifts

The debate on mandatory builder licensing and raising construction standards

Mike’s priorities as Chair of the APPG on Infrastructure

Why skills, training, and apprenticeships are vital for the next generation

If you’re passionate about UK housing policy, infrastructure investment, construction careers, or the future of building standards, this is a must-watch!

Recognising our best and brightest young builders, solving the housing crisis, and professionalising the construction industry are all on the agenda as MP for South Holland and the Deepings, and former Government Minister, Sir John Hayes joins us in the basement. We also take a dive into the question, "Why was Jesus a carpenter, and what does it tell us?", and Sir John makes a "very very very good point". Check out the full interview now

MP for the Isle of Wight West, Richard Quigley, joins us in the basement at the FMB to chat about tackling the skills crisis, a licensing scheme for builders, and whether or not the UK genuinely has a realistic chance of meeting it's housebuilding targets.

We’re joined by Mark Garnier MP, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, to discuss why it's time to introduce licensing for the building industry. 🏗️

From protecting homeowners to raising standards and boosting trust in the trade, Mark explains why licensing is long overdue—and what his Private Members’ Bill aims to achieve.

In the UK today, anyone - regardless of training, skill, or experience - can legally carry out construction work. No tests. No proof of competence. Just tools in hand and access to your home, your business, your safety.

Here's why we’re calling for a License to Build.

We’re joined by Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Aqua Consultants, on the latest episode of our podcast Buildup from the Basement.

Tom shares expert insights on the UK’s economic outlook and what it means for the construction industry—from interest rates to infrastructure investment.