Freedom of movement 'vital' to UK construction post Brexit, industry experts warn Government

 

 

A coalition of professional bodies has warned the Government of a construction crisis if access to skilled workers cannot be secured following UK’s vote to leave the EU.
The UK construction industry relies heavily on European labour. Nearly 12 per cent of the 2.1 million construction workers come from abroad, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) outlined their concerns in a joint statement to David Davis, the Brexit Secretary.

The group representing Britain’s architects, surveyors, planers and builders said the free movement of labour within the EU has been “vital” to the growth and flexibility of the construction sector.
“We are in the grip of our worst construction skills crisis in almost 20 years,” Amanda Clack, RICS president, said.
“There is a real concern within our industry that if access to a skilled workforce is further restricted, Britain could stop building. My colleagues and I would urge Government to keep this at the front of their minds when they come to negotiate our withdrawal from the EU,” she added.
The letter outlined five other priorities for the Government to focus on during the post referendum negotiations with the EU. These include access to european markets and colloborative research that the EU has enabled and promoted.