THE Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched its manifesto ahead of the General Election, outlining how a future UK Government can support the built environment sector.Â
The manifesto, entitled ‘CIOB’s Manifesto for the Built Environment – Opportunities for future proofing the construction industry’, covers four key themes; Environmental Sustainability, Quality and Safety, The Future of Construction, and People and Skills.
It outlines short, medium and longer term policy recommendations to address some of the challenges facing construction and society including late payments to supply chains, skills shortages, better opportunities for SMEs, and improving diversity and inclusion in the sector. Â
Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said, “Now the date for the UK General Election has been confirmed, we’ve launched our manifesto so we can engage with prospective parliamentary candidates while they’re developing their own campaigns. Candidates come from a range of backgrounds and don’t always understand the complexities and importance of the built environment sector, which is a major economic driver so it’s down to us all as the experts to educate them.
“It’s important they know what support is needed to enable the industry to play its part in creating a safe and sustainable built environment for everyone.”
CIOB’s manifesto recommendations are:Â
Environmental Sustainability              Â
·      Develop and implement a green skills fundÂ
·      Adapt building regulations to include whole life carbon assessments Â
·      Develop and implement a national retrofit strategyÂ
Quality and Safety  Â
·      Review the voluntary status of consumer codes for new-build housingÂ
·      Provide fairer opportunities for SME housebuildersÂ
·      Reform the current Land Value systemÂ
Future of ConstructionÂ
·      Tackle late payment cultureÂ
·      Develop and implement a strategy for Modern Methods of ConstructionÂ
·      Use geographical clustering to level up the UKÂ
People and SkillsÂ
·      Include EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) commitments in public sector contractsÂ
·      Overhaul of the Apprenticeship LevyÂ
·      Introduce a Built Environment GCSEÂ
Alongside the manifesto, CIOB will also be launching a dedicated election page on its website for members to stay updated on key dates, election candidates, and what the political parties are saying in their own manifestos about the built environment.Â
Caroline added, “I strongly encourage CIOB members to use this manifesto and our online resources to engage with those standing for election in the constituencies they live and work in to help push construction further up the political agenda.”
