What Our Sector Needs from the Budget
A Fair and Supportive Tax Environment
- The VAT system should incentivise and not penalise, essential construction work. We call for VAT relief on retrofit and energy efficiency improvements, where the correct use of masonry and its ancillary products can play a vital role in reducing household energy use.
- Any reform to business rates must avoid creating an additional burden on manufacturers and suppliers already investing heavily in decarbonisation.
Support for Skills and Training
- Meeting housing and infrastructure targets requires a skilled workforce. We urge Government to invest in apprenticeships and vocational training, ensuring masonry trades are included in any new skills funding. More needs to be done with incentivising small construction firms to take on apprentices since the vast majority of training is being carried out by these firms.
- The National Masonry Academy stands ready to deliver high-quality training that can help meet these targets
Recognition of the role of Masonry in achieving Net Zero
- Masonry is durable, low-maintenance, and contributes to energy-efficient buildings through relatively high thermal mass (meaning that homes stay warm in winter and cool in summer). Government policy must recognise this and ensure that incentives for low-carbon construction include traditional, proven methods alongside new technologies.
- We also call for green capital allowances that support manufacturers in upgrading their kilns, curing processes and recycling facilities to significantly reduce embodied carbon.
A Balanced Approach to Waste and Environmental Taxes
- Any changes to landfill tax or extended producer responsibility must recognise the high levels of reuse and recyclability already achieved by masonry products. We caution against measures that would impose disproportionate costs on our sector.
A Level Playing Field on Imports
- The introduction of carbon border measures must ensure imported high-carbon products are not allowed to undercut UK manufacturers who are investing in cleaner production. A properly regulated tariff process needs to involve all parties.
Stimulating the Housing Market and Supporting First-Time Buyers
- A healthy construction sector depends on a functioning housing market. To unlock stalled demand, the Government must introduce measures that incentivise first-time buyers and encourage existing homeowners to move, freeing up much-needed housing stock.
Support such as targeted stamp duty relief, savings incentives, or first-time buyer grants would help restore confidence and mobility in the market—particularly at a time when high interest rates and material costs are dampening activity.
By boosting demand for new homes, these policies would also stimulate housebuilding, supporting employment, skills development, and investment throughout the masonry and wider construction supply chain.
Message to Government
The masonry industry in the UK underpins the UK’s vital housing and infrastructure ambitions which itself underpins the UK economy and maintains the trade balance .
We create highly skilled jobs, invest in sustainable manufacturing, and deliver safe, durable buildings for future generations. The Autumn Budget is an opportunity to back British manufacturing and construction, unlock investment in skills, and place proven, sustainable materials at the heart of the nation’s building strategy.
