Verified Builder Data Sources
(Updated: August 2025)

Verified Sources: Builder Data That Backs It All Up

Every claim we make in our Builder Advocacy Series is backed by hard data, not guesswork. Below you’ll find the full list of government releases, industry reports, regulatory documents, and legal references that support our blogs.

These are not cherry-picked headlines. They are the real documents the big players hope you’ll never read. We have broken them down so small firms can finally see what is really going on behind the red tape.

Why This Page Exists

There is a lot of noise out there, and builders are usually the last to know what is really going on behind the scenes. While big firms have legal teams, PR agencies, and industry reps, most small builders are left relying on hearsay.

This page cuts through the fluff. Every source below was used in one of our blogs to explain who is really pulling the strings, how policy changes are affecting SMEs, and why it matters to your business and clients.

Nothing here is second-hand. These are official government reports, trade body briefings, financial filings, and public statistics. We link them so you can double-check everything yourself.

NICEIC: What Are You Really Paying For?

NICEIC is one of the most recognised Competent Person Schemes in the UK. But despite the sticker and the subscription, questions are mounting about the value and oversight behind the badge.

According to parliamentary evidence from 2022, MPs were told that NICEIC had failed to enforce standards. Shockingly, 15% of all domestic electrical fires involved NICEIC-registered contractors.

Meanwhile, membership fees remain steep. Their own inspection fee calculator shows how quickly costs stack up for small firms — without necessarily offering better protection for the public or for builders.

And it’s not just the stats. Real electricians are calling them out. The forums are full of examples, like this renewal assessment debacle — where a seasoned spark was penalised over a missing grid plate screw.

As we explored in our exposé on builder certification schemes, these organisations often operate more like branded clubs than actual safety enforcers.

Source: UK Parliament – NICEIC Evidence Session, 2022
Source: NICEIC – CPS Fee Sheet
Source: Electricians Forum – Assessment Debacle Thread
Blog: Builder Certification Scam

Gas Safe Register: A System That Looks Good on Paper

You’d think mandatory registration would mean safer homes. But under the surface, the numbers paint a different story. The Gas Safe Register, managed by Capita plc (whose major shareholders include Vanguard and BlackRock), has long been held up as the gold standard for gas safety in the UK.

Yet, according to a 2023 Daily Mail investigation, 1 in 10 engineers on the register were working illegally. Gas incidents jumped 23% — despite all the stickers and checks. So where’s the accountability?

The Gas Safe Register's own 2024 report lists 34 major explosions across the UK between 2019 and 2023. That’s not just a stat, that’s homes and lives blown apart — with every box ticked and badge worn.

Capita has been reappointed by the HSE to continue running the scheme. But if the last five years are anything to go by, it’s worth asking who’s really being protected.

Source: Daily Mail – Gas Safe Register Under Scrutiny
Source: Capita – Contract Renewal with HSE
Source: Gas Safe Register Report 2024 (see p. 8)

Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility: Support or Shield for the Big Insurers?

In 2024, the UK government introduced the Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility as part of the Remediation Acceleration Plan. It was promoted as a solution to help leaseholders in unsafe buildings get fair insurance premiums. But the real winners? The five insurance giants who helped design it — Allianz, Aviva, Axa, RSA, and Zurich.

By pooling risk behind a government-supported framework, these firms insulated themselves from exposure. Meanwhile, SME builders working on fire-risk remediation projects now face more paperwork, stricter coverage terms, and unpredictable premiums.

Source: ABI – Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility Finalised

Home Office Fire Statistics (2016–2023), FIRE0101: Fires by Source of Ignition

CIS Reforms: Compliance Clampdown or Builder Beatdown?

In April 2021, HMRC introduced reforms to the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) aimed at tackling abuse and clarifying tax deductions. But for SME builders, the reality was more red tape: stricter rules on what qualifies as a materials deduction, new powers for HMRC to amend claims, and changes for deemed contractors.

The estimated gain for the Treasury? £15 million a year. The cost to builders? Hours of admin, constant bookkeeping, and fines if you get it wrong. Once again, the little guy pays so the system can “tighten up.”

Source: HMRC – CIS 340 Guidance

FCA Rule Changes: Level Playing Field or PR Exercise?

In 2022, the FCA banned insurers from charging existing customers more than new ones for home and vehicle policies. While this was framed as a consumer win, the real impact on SME builders was mixed — fewer intro deals for commercial vehicles, and no relief on specialist or contractor insurance.

Then came Consultation Paper CP25/12, promising to “simplify insurance conduct rules.” Translation? Reduce compliance burdens for insurers, with little attention paid to the rising complexity and cost on the builder’s side of the fence.

Source: FCA – CP25/12 Consultation Paper

Market Share & Planning: The Data Behind the Decline

SME builders now deliver just 10% of new homes in the UK — a staggering drop from 40% in the 1980s. These aren’t estimates, they’re official ONS numbers, and they paint a bleak picture of how squeezed the small firms have become.

Add to that the planning bottleneck: back in 2010, sites of 1–9 homes made up over 20% of approvals. By 2024, it was under 10%. That’s the lifeblood of SME projects — quietly choked off by shifting priorities and slow approvals.

Source: ONS – Construction Output (April 2025)
Source: Gov.uk – Planning Application Statistics

Insolvency Spike: Construction Firms Hit Hardest

In April 2025 alone, construction firms made up 15.7% of all insolvencies across England and Wales. That’s one industry carrying a wildly disproportionate share of economic collapse.

Behind each number is a small team, a van full of tools, and a builder wondering how the hell it got this hard to stay afloat. Rising costs, stifling compliance, delayed payments, and razor-thin margins are all contributing to a systemic push-out of SMEs.

Source: Gov.uk – Monthly Insolvency Statistics

Legal Warning: Miss a Notification, Lose Your Cover

The Makin v QBE Insurance case sent a chilling message to SME builders: get your paperwork wrong, and you’re on your own. The ruling reinforced the strict notification terms buried in commercial policies. Miss a deadline or fill a form incorrectly? Your cover could be void — even if the claim is legit.

For one-man bands and small teams who aren’t legal experts, it’s a trap waiting to spring. Large firms have compliance teams. You’ve got ten minutes and a blunt pencil.

Source: Lexology – Makin v QBE Insurance UK Ltd

Federation Statements: Who’s Really Speaking for Small Builders?

Not all industry voices are equal. The major federations have taken very different stances when it comes to planning, red tape, and the future of SME builders. These statements reflect both the priorities and the blind spots of the institutions shaping the policy conversation.

  • Federation of Master Builders (FMB): Has welcomed planning reforms, including changes for sites of up to 9 homes, but warns more action is needed to prevent SME decline.
  • National Federation of Builders (NFB): Pushed for the new 10–49 home ‘medium site’ category to simplify planning and level the playing field.
  • Association of British Insurers (ABI): Led the development of the Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, with unclear long-term impact on SME builders’ premiums.
  • British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA): Supported insurer-led safety reforms but has done little to address SME-specific concerns over access and affordability.

Source: FMB – Land Banking & SME Housing Access
Source: NFB – Medium Site Definition Campaign
Source: ABI – Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility
Source: BIBA – Fire Safety Collaboration

Planning Delays & Risk Aversion

Multiple sources confirm that local planning bottlenecks, risk-averse case officers, and rising fee structures are hitting SME builders hardest. The reports below highlight the time, cost, and complexity facing builders trying to get even small sites off the ground.

  • Lichfields Blog — Use it or Lose it: The Taxing Problem of Undelivered Homes (2021)
    Discusses risk-aversion in planning departments and the slow release of land from large developers.
    Read Blog
  • West Oxfordshire District Council – Building Regulations Fees 2024/25
    Outlines complex domestic project fees from £1,500–£2,800, confirming cost burdens for SME builders.
    Download PDF
  • Cotswold District Council – Building Regulations Charges 2024/25
    Example fee schedule reinforcing variation and rising costs across councils for similar domestic works.
    Download PDF

Transparency UK: £8.8 Billion in Local Procurement Fraud

Transparency International UK's 2024 report exposes how over-complicated compliance systems and opaque contract routing are fuelling massive public sector waste. The estimated annual loss? £8.8 billion.

This evidence supports the claim that government schemes often create fraud-friendly environments under the guise of “accountability” — and it’s small firms who end up footing the bill when these systems implode.

PDF: Behind the Masks Report (p. 4 & 118)

Lichfields: Small Builders, Big Burdens

This 2023 report offers hard data on how planning policy has shifted against small housebuilders. Between 1990 and 2023, the time and cost of securing outline planning permissions skyrocketed, while available small sites declined sharply.

The report supports key claims made in our Red Tape and Insurance blogs about the market squeeze on SME builders caused by systemic planning constraints.

PDF: Small Builders, Big Burdens (2023)

Training, Levy & Market Share: Who's Really Benefiting?

  • City & Guilds – Charity or Executive Payout Machine?
    Despite its charitable status, City & Guilds paid out £6.7 million in executive salaries in 2023. City & Guilds Official Website
  • CITB Levy Collection vs On-site Training Reality
    In 2023–24, CITB collected £202 million in levy income, but only £94.6 million went back to employers, with £66 million going to apprenticeships and site-based training. CITB Annual Report 2024 (PDF)
  • Home Builders Federation: SME Market Share Collapse
    SMEs now build just 10% of UK homes, down from 40% in the 1980s. This HBF report breaks down the reasons behind the crash. HBF 2024 State of Play Report (PDF)
  • Homes for Scotland 2024: Regulatory Burden
    New safety and energy-efficiency rules introduced since 2021 have added over £20,000 per home, according to their latest SME builder survey. Homes for Scotland Survey (PDF)
  • HBF LinkedIn Summary
    Overview and discussion of the 2024–25 report. HBF LinkedIn Release

Safety and Regulatory Pressures: Deaths, Delays, and Doubtful Standards

  • HSE Construction Fatalities (2010–2023): Construction deaths rose from 39 in 2010 to 45 in 2023. Official HSE data shows no clear safety improvement despite billions spent on training and compliance.
    Fatal Injury Statistics PDF | Table RIDKER (worker fatalities by sector)
  • CSCS Card Fees: Current pricing for CSCS cards used across the UK construction industry.
    CSCS Card Price List
  • LABC Fee Schedule (2024): Official charges for complex domestic projects and safety assessments.
    LABC Fee Schedules
  • FENSA Certification Audit (2023): Trading Standards found that 32% of FENSA-certified window and door installations failed Building Regs on ventilation and safety glass.
    Audit Report PDF

Review Sites, Compliance Clubs and the Cost of "Trust"

Warranty Schemes, Grant Funding & the Compliance Scheme Economy

  • Buildzone Warranty Pricing (2024): A snapshot of current warranty costs for SME developers.
    Buildzone Warranty Prices
  • Homes England Grant Statistics Q1 2024: Latest Home Building Fund data and grant allocations.
    HE Grant Data Table (Excel)
  • NHBC Customer Satisfaction Survey (2024): Consumer feedback and new homeowner experiences.
    NHBC Survey
  • Regulatory Compliance Scheme Market Size: National Audit Office estimates this sector generates £1.2 billion annually across CHAS, SMAS, SafeContractor, and others.
    NAO Report (p. 182)

Verified Sources

Everything I’ve written in The Great Government Squeeze is backed up by hard evidence. No guesswork, no pub talk — just the official documents and reports they thought no one would bother to read.

Every claim in this post is backed by actual government or industry docs. Keep this page handy — it’s your ammo next time someone says “that’s just builders moaning.”

The Real Cost: Your Tax, Their Profit — and the SME Builder Pays the Price

Every link on this page tells a piece of the story — how taxpayer money is funnelled through schemes, grants, and compliance frameworks that look fair on paper, but tilt the whole playing field in practice.

It’s not just about red tape or insurance hikes. This is a system designed to reward the biggest players, deliver returns to shareholders, and bury the small builder in cost, admin, and silence.

Local firms lose jobs. Apprenticeships dry up. Young tradespeople disappear. And the high street sees another boarded-up van, another family business closed for good.

This isn’t inevitable. But it will keep happening unless people start paying attention. If you’ve read this far, don’t let it stop here. Share this page with your mates, your clients, your MP, your architect — anyone who still believes small builders deserve a fair shot.

The more we expose what’s really going on, the harder it becomes for them to keep pretending it’s working.

Verified Builder Data Sources: Who Do the Big Firms Really Work For?

All sources behind our claims are listed here — from UK law to inquiry reports — so you can check the truth yourself.

Legal Framework (Companies Act 2006, s.172)

Grenfell Tower Cladding & Hackitt Review

PIP Breast Implant Scandal

Carillion Collapse & Inquiry

Why Section 172 Lacks Teeth

Verified Data Sources – The UK Tax Funnel: Public Extraction, Private Gain

All data points, case studies, and figures used in this exposé are backed by credible, publicly available sources. We’ve listed them here for full transparency:

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS) – official UK data on taxation, household incomes, and government revenues.
  • National Audit Office (NAO) – reports on public spending, procurement scandals (PPE, HS2, Levelling Up Fund), and systemic inefficiencies.
  • House of Commons Library – research briefings on tax burden, household contributions, and fiscal drag.
  • Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) – forecasts and breakdowns of income tax, VAT, and total public revenue.
  • Resolution Foundation – long-term analysis of UK tax trends, household impact, and distributional effects.
  • Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – surveys and reports highlighting SME costs, compliance burdens, and red tape impact.
  • Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – findings on PPE contracts, HS2 overspends, and Levelling Up Fund inefficiencies.
  • Campaign Group Reports: TaxPayers’ Alliance (household lifetime tax burden), Transparency International UK (revolving door, lobbying influence).
  • Grenfell Tower Inquiry Reports – evidence on regulatory failure, certification loopholes, and corporate capture of safety systems.
  • Corporate Governance Reports: Companies Act 2006 (Section 172), Business Roundtable Statement on Purpose of a Corporation (2019).

We strip links from the main blog to avoid broken pages or blocked URLs. This page stands as the verified reference hub for all research used in the UK Tax Funnel exposé.

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