An award-winning tradesman has announced plans to leave the UK for Switzerland, warning that rising labor taxes, falling training funding and growing bureaucracy are driving skilled workers and small businesses abroad.Martin Daly
Founder of Motherwell-based MD Builders and recently named Screwfix Top Tradesperson for 2025, said the changes introduced in Labour’s first budget were the final trigger for his decision to relocate after years of building his business in the UK.
Daly, 30, began his career as a carpenter before setting up his own business five years ago. Since then he has taken on and trained several apprentices, many of whom have gone on to start their own businesses or pursue careers abroad. He now fears that the UK could accelerate the brain drain at a time when construction labor shortages are already acute.
He pointed out that the increase in employers’ social security contributions, the increase in the state subsistence minimum and what he described as inadequate funding for apprenticeships were the main pressure factors for small businesses.
“These changes were the turning point,” Daly said. “I want to build a company and support young people, but I can no longer afford that. The costs aren’t right.”
Under changes announced in the October Budget, employers will pay a National Insurance rate of 15 per cent on salaries over £5,000 from April, compared to 13.8 per cent on salaries over £9,100. The national living wage is also set to rise to £12.21 an hour.
Daly said the impact goes beyond payroll. He described a slowdown in available projects as companies curb spending, while also describing rising overhead costs due to compliance and regulation. He also cited concerns about personal safety and quality of life as part of his decision to leave the company.
“I want to wake up and not worry about my van being broken into,” he said. “I want to know that taxes are being used positively. And I want to feel safe walking at night. Britain doesn’t feel like that anymore.”
The building contractor has been to Switzerland several times and has already received job offers there, including for installing kitchens. He said he had also been approached by companies in Australia and the Middle East, regions that specifically target skilled British tradespeople with visa programs and relocation incentives.
Australia, for example, introduced a special construction visa program in 2023, offering relocation assistance of up to £5,100 in some regions.
While Daly stressed his decision wasn’t just about money, he said the contrast was clear in the incentives and support for apprentices abroad. “Australia is helping to fund apprentices. The entire apprenticeship system needs to be reformed here,” he said.
The concerns come as the UK construction sector faces increasing pressure on the workforce. The number of construction workers fell to around two million at the end of 2025, the lowest level in 25 years, with more than a third of the workforce now over 50 years old. Industry estimates suggest more than 60,000 new workers will be needed each year to meet housing construction targets.
The government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament, but implementation is still being tested. Independent forecasts suggest current building rates are falling well short of this target, despite recent planning reforms aimed at speeding up approvals and increasing density near transport hubs.
Daly acknowledged that pressures on the professions have increased over successive governments, but warned that the current policy mix could lead to accelerated brain drain while skills shortages worsen.
“If we don’t focus properly on young people, they will all leave,” he said. “If we don’t change, there will be no one left to build the houses we need.”
