B1- Intermediate
The housing crisis in the UK is getting worse. One factor that is contributing to it is a shortage of bricklayers.
Read this lesson about how the shortage of bricklayers is making the UK housing crisis even worse.
Be ready to answer the questions that follow.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2503/250303-bricklayer-shortage-4.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- Explain the term “housing ladder”. “Britain needs more homes so young people can get on the housing ladder.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
- What does “rough sleeping” mean? “Rising rent and unaffordable housing have increased rough sleeping.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
- What does “to pull a lever” mean specifically in this context, “It said it was doing its best to build 300,000 new homes. It added: ‘We will pull every lever to deliver on our commitment.’?” Make a sentence using this idiom in the same context. Give another meaning of ‘pull a lever’.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the effects of the shortage of bricklayers in the UK?
- Is there a similar problem in your country with lack of construction workers? How is it affecting the housing industry of your country?
- What is your opinion on this, “The UK blamed the lack of workers on ‘years of underinvestment in skills’.”? Compare it with your country. Do you think the government invests enough in the citizens’ skills training?
- What kind of problems does the housing industry have in your country these days? Talk about some of them as detailed as you can.
- Is it also difficult for young people in your country to get on the housing ladder? Why is this?