Plumbers, plasterers and builders making more than £1,000 a week amid skills shortage

PLUMBERS, plasterers and builders are making more than £1,000 a week as they cash in on a skills shortage.

The average wage broke through the barrier at the end of last year.

It had already risen by four per cent to £945 during the year, according to Hudson Contract, which provides payroll services to the industry.

But customers and project managers wanting jobs finished before Christmas pushed the average to £1,002 a week in December, it reported.

The trend will revive memories of comic Harry Enfield’s obnoxious wad-waving plasterer Loadsmoney from the 1980s.

The surge is down to a post-Covid skills shortage, with many tradespeople having left the country, given up or retired.

Britain is said to be short of 250,000 construction workers — while just three per cent of young people are considering a career in the industry.

However, despite the economic slump, many construction companies say they have full order books and need staff.

Ian Anfield, MD at Hudson Contract, said: “Our figures illustrate the excellent earning potential for people who are prepared to put in the time and effort to learn a skilled trade.”

He said no one was coming forward to replace Europeans who had returned home — as visa rules were too burdensome.

He added: “These are the forces driving up labour rates and creating plenty of opportunities for the self-employed to earn a handsome living.”