Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has met with house builder Barratt Homes in Waterlooville to tour newly completed social housing and discuss the construction industry.
Flick joined managing director Jon Green at the company’s Green Development in Grainger Street last Friday to view the property, which is about to be handed over to Grainger Housing Association.
The home had structural features to accommodate wheelchair dependent occupants with minimal future costs and is part of a 70-home project at the site that will be completed within four years.
“Many thanks to Barratt for allowing me to visit the site and see their social housing,” said Flick. “These types of homes are important in Meon Valley and we need more of them to ensure families are not always split up if loved ones are forced from the area in search of cheaper accommodation.
“It was also interesting to hear of the constructions industry’s skills shortage and the fact many in the sector are older workers. I was told this is being addressed by the company offering apprenticeships – 269 for this year alone.
“What was disappointing to hear was that some schools do not want their pupils to consider a career in construction and so Barratt is not invited to some careers fairs. This is simply ludicrous. This is a great industry with good skilled and secure jobs in many areas.
"It also was great to hear Barratt is trying to encourage more women into the industry too because they have a big part to play in addressing the shortage of skilled labour.”
