ANDY BURNHAM’S crackdown on “cowboy builders” is unlikely to gain traction without statutory licensing, Britain’s largest building industry trade association warned today.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) was responding to the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of measures aimed at helping people find trusted traders through a register, to protect their money from unscrupulous operators.

Citizens Advice said that home renovations are one of its biggest sources of complaints, with more than one in four adults reporting problems with their most recent project, including shoddy work and builders vanishing before completion.

But the FMB warned the government-backed scheme being rolled out from September is unlikely to “gain traction” as businesses will not be mandated to sign up.

FMB chief executive Brian Berry welcomed a crackdown on rogue builders but said that it is a “real concern that this is just another voluntary programme without regulation behind it.”

“In the long term the government should be looking at a compulsory licensing scheme for building companies,” he added.

“Currently anyone can call themselves a builder with no minimum competence level required to run a building company. Voluntary schemes have never filled the gap for good regulation that protects both reputable builders and consumers.

“Without statutory licensing any voluntary scheme, however well intended, is likely to struggle to gain traction.”

The scheme will allow businesses to sign up to an approved code to demonstrate they meet standards on customer service, transparency and resolving disputes.

A new payment system, available from next week, will also allow customers to avoid upfront costs by linking payments to project milestones.

Mr Burnham said that it is “the latest in our series of everyday fixes to give people room to breathe and make Britain fairer. We’ve taken on subscription traps, fake discounts and now we’re coming for the cowboy builders. Enough is enough.”

Ministers also announced tougher regulation of private bailiffs in England and Wales, including mandatory independent oversight.

The changes are intended to ensure consistent professional standards, amid concerns over enforcement agents pressuring people into repayment arrangements that left them unable to pay for daily essentials.

Bailiffs will be required to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an accredited firm, in order to get the certificate needed to operate.