PM says cowboy builders 'prey on the vulnerable, rob our neighbours of their futures and, above all else, they destroy lives'

Daily MailIndependentCenteryesterday

Prime Minister Andy Burnham criticizes unregulated builders ('cowboy builders') for exploiting vulnerable individuals and causing financial harm, citing a reported £14.3 billion loss over five years. He highlights a case where a homeowner attempted suicide after being left with an unsafe home due to poor workmanship. The government plans to introduce two initiatives to address this issue: a payment protection app called Trusted Payments, which ensures payments are only made upon completion of project milestones, and an Approved Codes Scheme aimed at raising industry standards through partnerships with trade organizations. Both programs are endorsed by the government but not directly funded.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the Prime Minister's stance against unregulated builders and outlines government-backed solutions. While the language used by Burnham is strong and critical, the content includes specific measures proposed by the government, indicating a balanced presentation of policy actions.