We have all benefited from a long period of favourable interest rates, low inflation and general stability in the construction market. But how things have changed in the last two or three years. First we had Brexit, followed by two years of a pandemic. Now inflation has risen to 7%, and further interest rate rises are on the horizon.

There are more dark clouds in the construction industry, with critical materials shortages and price increases. Brexit has contributed to a shortage of skilled operatives leading to increased labour costs, and to make matters worse there is now a devastating war in Ukraine, with associated energy supply issues and trade sanctions.

There is more uncertainty now than has been seen for a generation. But what can we do about it?

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