Daryl's Story

Daryl, 24, from Epping Forest in the East of England, wanted to train as a bricklayer to help build the homes his community desperately needs. Construction training providers in his region had unfilled places while local housing targets remained unmet. But HM Treasury's treatment of infrastructure spending as a deficit risk, rather than as the mechanism that puts skilled workers to work, meant CITB levy funding wasn't directed where housing need was greatest. The workers were available, training capacity existed, and homes had planning permission. What was missing was a central government willing to fund the posts that would turn Daryl's ambition into action. The constraint was an idea, not a resource. This episode examines how Westminster's choices block pathways into construction when communities need builders most. Disclosure: some details changed to protect contributor privacy.