London’s housing challenge is making headlines, and the numbers tell a stark story:

According to research reported by Enfield Dispatch, London's housing market is being significantly impacted by a shortage of skilled tradespeople: 

• 13% of buyers delayed moving in because construction wasn’t finished on time due to a shortage of tradespeople.

• Just 11,600 homes were built last year, against a target of 88,000 per year.

• Londoners are waiting over a year for certain trades in some cases; fewer than 5% secured a roofer within a month and just 3% a bricklayer.

• The knock-on effects are serious: 13% chose an older property over a new build because of extended build times, and around 10% had to withdraw from purchases when construction delays caused mortgage offers to expire.

• The Deputy Mayor for Housing has acknowledged a sector “skills crisis,” citing too few trained workers and too few teachers to train the next generation.

 

Why London Is Feeling It So Sharply

Industry voices cited in the report point to a combination of higher operating costs and day-to-day pressures, like Ultra Low Emission Zone and Congestion Charge costs and tool and van thefts that make the capital a tough place to work for trades. But we can’t ignore that there is also a training depth challenge: while fast-track initiatives bring new entrants into the workforce, they can struggle to provide the depth of experience required in safety-critical roles, causing a worrying rise in snagging and remedial work in recent years – an indicator that quality can slip when experienced labour is in short supply.

 

Policy & Investment

On the policy side, some in the industry are calling for cost relief for tradespeople (e.g., exemptions from ULEZ/Congestion Charge) and stronger enforcement to tackle tool theft. Meanwhile, the Government has flagged national action, committing £625 million to create up to 60,000 additional engineers, bricklayers, electricians, and joiners by 2029 – a significant investment aimed at rebuilding the talent pipeline.

 

How Marshalls Bricks & Masonry Is Supporting the Industry

The sector is moving in the right direction with targeted investment and a growing recognition of the barriers facing trades – not just in London, but nationally. In the near term, pragmatic, sustained steps – not just one-off initiatives – by manufacturers like Marshalls Bricks & Masonry will make a real positive.

 

We’re focused on three areas where we can make an immediate difference:

1. We partner with colleges and training providers to put industry leading bricks and masonry tools directly into students’ hands, enabling realistic practice and faster on site readiness.

2. We prioritise reliable supply and technical consistency, helping contractors keep programmes on track and reduce rework – critical when labour availability is tight and quality must be maintained.

3. Our teams provide specification support, best practice installation guidance, and site readiness resources that help newer teams achieve consistent workmanship and fewer defects.