Story perspectives

Burnham announces September crackdown on builders’ Approved Traders scheme

8/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a September crackdown on builders with an Approved Traders scheme.
Traders must meet higher service, transparency and dispute-resolution standards to join the Approved Code.
A Trusted Payment Scheme will escrow customers’ money and release it at project milestones.
More than one in four adults who renovated homes in the last 18 months reported problems.
One third of those affected faced costs averaging £750 per household.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1936 as the National House Builders Registration Council, the NHBC became the independent National House Building Council in 1973 and now provides a ten-year Buildmark warranty covering about 70 % of new UK homes. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s proposed Approved Traders scheme mirrors this long-standing consumer-protection model, aiming to reduce renovation disputes through escrow payments and dispute-resolution.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a September crackdown on builders with an Approved Traders scheme.
Traders must meet higher service, transparency and dispute-resolution standards to join the Approved Code.
A Trusted Payment Scheme will escrow customers’ money and release it at project milestones.
More than one in four adults who renovated homes in the last 18 months reported problems.
One third of those affected faced costs averaging £750 per household.

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