Fix Radio has revealed that the increased use of fast tools sector within the UK construction industry has resulted in increased waste and inefficiency.
It found that one in four tradespeople are most stressed by van and tool theft, which has driven increased purchases of disposable tools.
Industry data estimated that up to 30% of tools are discarded prematurely, this is due to perceived obsolescence rather than actual mechanical failure.
Recent figures have also revealed that £94m worth of tools were stolen from tradespeople in the UK in 2024. Fix Radio stated that this ongoing problem forces many to purchase cheaper, lower-quality replacement tools, which often have shorter lifespans and contribute further to waste
London suffered the highest losses regarding tool theft, with over £78m of equipment stolen between 2023 and 2024, followed by West Yorkshire with £3.3m and Essex with £1.7m.
Government proposals like the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill aim to tackle the growing epidemic of tool theft by introducing tougher penalties for offenders. This is a move widely backed by the public, as 74% said they support harsher sentences.
Fix Radio said even high-value thefts often result in little more than community orders, fuelling frustration among tradespeople. A total of 70% of tradespeople have experienced tool theft in the past two years.
According to Fix Radio’s Clive Holland, this culture of undervaluing tradespeople must change. He argued that addressing tool theft must go hand in hand with improving product durability, increasing recycling rates and reducing the industry’s growing reliance on cheap, disposable tools if the sector is to become more sustainable and secure.
Clive said: “Everything you touch – the roof over your head, the heating, the electrics – is thanks to Great British tradesmen and women. Yet, they are consistently undervalued.”