Trades working in London face higher housing and living costs
New research has identified regional discrepancies in employment, pay and working conditions for skilled construction workers and highlighted th the struggle faced by tradespeople working in the capital.
London finished last overall in the UK Tradespeople Hotspots Index, which ranks 11 UK regions across seven trades based on eight weighted metrics.
Despite paying the highest wages in five of the seven trades studied, high housing costs, living expenses and insurance premiums relative to earnings dragged the capital to the bottom of the index.
The employment of construction supervisors in the capital, specifically, was noted as having fallen precipitously, despite those working there receiving the highest wage for the role in the country. Employment in this category fell 64.5% over three years despite earnings around £975.30 per week.
The index’s metrics include pay, job growth, working hours, housing affordability, living costs, self-employment share and insurance costs.
No single region leads across every trade, but the North East comes closest, ranking consistently well across all.
Mark Bartels, CEO at Fergus, a jobs management software firm for tradespeople, said: “There’s a common assumption that the best opportunities for tradespeople are wherever the wages are highest, but our research shows that’s not always the case.
“In many parts of the UK, tradespeople can earn slightly less on paper but end up with a better quality of life and stronger long-term prospects because housing is more affordable, costs are lower, and demand remains strong.
“For trade business owners, that’s an important lesson. Success isn’t just about chasing the biggest contracts or the largest cities — it’s about understanding where demand is growing, where skilled workers can afford to live, and where businesses can operate sustainably.”
No comments yet