UK housing shortage and construction labour standards highlighted in new think‑tank and FLEX briefings

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) argues that Britain’s housing shortage is "entirely self‑inflicted" and has caused nearly two lost decades of economic growth. The briefing notes that housing stock growth has stalled at about 0.5% per year since the 1980s, limiting labour mobility and increasing business costs. It blames restrictive planning, NIMBY opposition and a failure to expand land and building capacity.

A separate FLEX briefing examines structural drivers of exploitation in the UK construction sector, which is high‑risk for labour abuse. It highlights issues such as complex subcontracting chains, under‑resourced enforcement and restrictive visa routes. A focus group with the GMB Union revealed workers’ top priority is fair pay, alongside better treatment, inclusion and contract security. FLEX calls for new migration pathways and stronger worker‑centred standards to improve conditions in outsourced services like cleaning.