Tariq's Story

Tariq, 28, from Manchester Withington in the North West, wanted to train as an electrician to help build the homes his community desperately needs. Construction training providers in his area had unfilled places while local authority 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 was not directed where housing need was greatest. The workers were available. The training capacity was there. The constraint was an idea, not a resource. This episode explores how central government's monetary misconceptions blocked Tariq's path into construction while homes with planning permission remained unbuilt. *Blocked Britain contains strong language and adult themes.*