A new UK government offers the construction sector the opportunity to build new relationships with policymakers and help them understand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
That’s the view of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) following Labour’s landslide victory in the General Election.Â
The CIOB stressed the importance of the construction industry and the crucial role it plays in improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes in all areas of the UK. The organisation has also called for the sector to be recognised at cabinet minister level given the ‘strategic importance’ of the industry.
Eddie Tuttle, director for policy, external affairs and research at CIOB, said, “We look forward to working with the Labour government to help deliver on their manifesto commitments, which included building 1.5 million homes over this parliament, reforming the planning system, delivering a Warm Homes Plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of five million homes, and developing a national industrial strategy to drive economic growth.
“But to do this, we and the new government must be realistic about the challenges the construction industry is facing, notably the shrinking skills base and the ageing construction workforce, with significant numbers of workers retiring and a lack of new entrants joining.
“Our pre-election manifesto made it clear the current apprenticeship system and its funding mechanisms need reviewing as a matter of priority to make sure training is affordable and relevant. It must also ensure the correct incentives are in place to drive construction businesses to recruit the number of qualified professionals needed to deliver the new government’s manifesto aims.
“Without a stable pipeline of competent workers, there are significant risks to the delivery and feasibility of housing and infrastructure projects and the new government will struggle to meet its own targets along with the needs of communities up and down the country.”
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said Labour’s victory offers an opportunity to tackle the UK’s housing crisis, both in terms of building new homes and also upgrading existing ones.
FMB chief executive Brian Berry described the election of the new government as offering a ‘fresh start to get Britain building’ and called for a long-term training and skills plan to tackle the shortage of construction workers.
He added, “The FMB will work closely with the new government to help ensure its housing pledges are delivered, and that Britain’s builders can play their part to boost much needed economic growth.”
With engineering and technology predicted to grow faster than any other sector between now and 2030, EngineeringUK said it is imperative the new government works with industry to address barriers standing in the way of young people joining the workforce.
Hilary Leevers, chief executive of EngineeringUK, said, “As the new government has rightly recognised, we need to nurture a greater pool of talent in engineering and technology including more apprenticeship opportunities for young people, to meet current demand and to help our economy to thrive and to achieve our net zero goal. We have been asking for a national engineering and technology workforce strategy for some time to streamline coherent action and replace the current approach of different areas developing their own solutions in isolation, and sometimes, effectively, in competition.
“In order to address skills shortages in the future, the workforce strategy needs to link to a comprehensive education and skills plan underpinned by enhanced careers advice in schools and an urgent solution to current STEM teacher shortages.  We will be doing what we can to support the new government in taking action to turbo charge the sector.”
Eco-heating technology brand Daikin UK said it was looking forward to working with the new government to deliver a greener future for the nation. Mark Dyer, deputy MD of Daikin UK, said, “We are looking forward to working with the new government to deliver a greener future for the nation. Labour’s commitment to support the deployment of low carbon heating through the ‘Warm Homes Plan’ is very welcome and it will help hundreds of thousands of households install air source heat pumps. We would urge the government to consult on the plan at the earliest opportunity.”
Peter Caplehorn, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, also welcomed the opportunity for change. He said, “The expectation from our industry is that this government will understand the importance of construction and manufacturing for the wider economy and keep its manifesto promise of developing an industrial strategy to help such businesses prosper. We expect to engage with new ministers quickly if they are to realise their ambitious goals for housebuilding, infrastructure, energy efficiency and a skilled workforce.
“A renewed focus on our trading and regulatory relationship with Europe needs attention to address the outstanding issues after Brexit, which although complex do need resolving very soon as they only serve as an obstacle to growth. We also look forward to working closely with the new administration on building safety and anticipate their full support for the Code for Construction Product Information.”
