The UK's decision to leave the EU is yet to have an impact on SME house builders' workloads, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

In the first survey to be conducted since the Brexit vote, two-thirds (69%) of firms have said they are yet to see any changes to their business following the referendum.

The FMB added only a quarter of firms have seen any negative effect on their projects, which are mostly the result of delayed decisions rather than project cancellations.

With most SMEs reporting "business as usual", FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry said the study should not "paint an overly rosy picture of the situation facing SME house builders".


"The barriers to building that existed prior to the referendum are still hindering delivery, and as the housing crisis continues to be a pressing concern, the need to empower smaller developers must be a priority for May's Government," he said.

"To this end, it's worth noting that more than half of SME house builders state that the removal of unnecessary red tape should be the most important consideration for the new Government as they begin to negotiate the UK's exit from the EU.

"More than one fifth of SME house builders are demanding that the Government finds a way of ensuring a sufficient number of skilled tradespeople from the EU are still able to enter the UK. The Prime Minister insists that freedom of movement is now over and if this is not likely to be replaced by a points-based system - as reported this week - crucial sectors like the construction industry must be reassured that whatever system does replace it, it is flexible enough to respond to our needs."

(LM/CD)