THE Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has welcomed new prime minister Andy Burnham to the role and said it hopes he can provide stable leadership and honour infrastructure commitments.
Dr Victoria Hills, CEO at the CIOB, said the organisation looks forward to working with the new government to help tackle the UK’s housing, infrastructure and skills challenges.
“Close engagement between ministers, professional bodies and industry experts will be essential to ensure policy is shaped by those delivering projects on the ground,” she added. “We welcome the opportunity to meet with any new ministers to assist with their briefs and highlight the important contribution the construction industry can make in delivering positive outcomes for communities.
“There has long been a strong case for devolving more skills funding and decision-making to combined and local authorities as well as empowering mayors to work closer with local employers, educators and trainers to tackle local skills gaps and enable opportunities. CIOB has consistently acknowledged that regional leaders are best placed to understand local demand and the skills required to deliver priorities like retrofitting, housing and infrastructure. We look forward to continuing to work with government as meaningful devolution takes shape.
“The industry also needs certainty. Changes in ministerial leadership and shifts in long-term policy impact businesses’ ability to plan, invest and recruit. We hope the new prime minister can provide stable leadership, honour long-term infrastructure commitments and work with the sector to give industry the confidence to deliver the homes, infrastructure and economic growth the UK needs.”
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), meanwhile, has said the new PM’s commitment to spreading power and opportunity to every part of the UK needs to be underpinned by allowing local building companies greater access to public sector contracts if it is to have real meaning.
The organisation claimed that if the government is serious about devolving power away from Westminster and driving growth in towns, cities, and regions across the country, it must work with the thousands of SME building firms already rooted in those communities.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said, “Builders will be looking closely at how Andy Burnham’s new government intends to deliver on its ambitions. His commitment to spreading power and opportunity to every postcode in Britain will resonate with communities across the country.
“If the government is serious about devolving power and delivering growth in every region, small local builders must be part of that vision. Rooted in the communities they serve, the nation’s builders are uniquely placed to deliver the homes, jobs and economic growth needed in every town, city and region of the UK.”
