THE UK brick industry is ‘on the brink of collapse’, the GMB union has warned.
In a letter addressed to Michael Gove, the UK Government secretary of state for housing, the union blames missed housebuilding targets and calls for urgent intervention.
GMB revealed the warning comes as construction materials giant Wienerberger announced potential job losses, citing spiralling energy costs and shortage of demand from housebuilding projects.
Meanwhile other major names in the UK’s brick industry have either closed factories or announced job cuts in recent months, including Forterra, Istock and Marshalls.
GMB added that the brick industry sustains nearly 8,000 jobs in the UK, with ‘countless more’ in the supply chain.
Stuart Harrison, GMB organiser, said, “The UK brick industry is collapsing at the same time as people are struggling to find housing.
“With skyrocketing energy costs squeezing the industry, it’s more important than ever that decision makers consider the thousands of jobs sustained by the sector. Without a thriving brick industry, the UK’s housing crisis can only get worse whilst communities relying on these jobs are plunged into uncertainty.
“Our union’s priority is to maintain employment in the sector – we will be working with companies to avoid minimise the impact.”
