Industry reacts as construction ‘notably absent’ from government’s industrial strategy document | news

Industry leaders have urged the government to highlight construction as essential to achieving the promises of its industrial strategy plan unveiled on Monday.

In its Invest 2035 document, Labor pledged to prioritize support in eight key areas: manufacturing; clean energy industries; creative industries; defense; digital and technologies; financial services; life sciences and professional and business services.

While construction was not specifically mentioned, the report also invited recommendations for “sub-sectors” to prioritize within the eight broad areas.

Patricia Moore, UK managing director of Turner & Townsend, said construction was “notably absent” from the launch, despite being the “engine that will deliver and sustain the physical investment these industries need to thrive”.

He said: “As we digest the strategy and feed the inquiry, we will make the case for how it can reverse the industrial strategy. in construction, as well as through construction”.

Federation of Master Builders chief executive Brian Berry added: “It is deeply concerning that the chancellor and business secretary have published an industrial strategy for the new government but have not seen fit to include a reference to the construction industry as an industry for growth, during a period when the UK is experiencing a housing and skills crisis that is holding back economic recovery and threatening long-term market confidence.

“Given the focus on rebuilding Britain, it seems that those who will be doing the physical work have been forgotten. The consultation is an opportunity to ensure that construction does not end up as a secondary sub-sector in the plan. Construction must ‘be front and center in the government’s drive for economic growth’.

Allan Wright, managing director of materials distributor Civils & Lintels, said he hoped the “rhetoric” around the “housebuilding, civil and infrastructure sectors” that allowed Labor its landslide victory in this year’s elections “is transferred to clear actions”.

He added: “While housebuilding, infrastructure projects and the planning system called for significant initial attention, he currently believes that any initial momentum established may have been lost.

“Rachel Reeves’ first Budget is therefore an excellent opportunity to address these areas and potential options that I urge her to consider, such as permanent reform to SDLT, the reintroduction of some form of assisted buying for the private ownership of homes similar to Help. to Buy, a significant commitment to invest in the delivery of new rental stock and demonstrable investment in UK infrastructure.”

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said the new strategy is a “new approach” that “gives businesses a platform to further build on the planning evidence that previous governments have ignored because they feared vocal opposition from minorities.” to land use”.

He added: “The NFB often cites the negative impact of planning processes on skills, investment, the achievement of climate targets, innovation and social mobility, but it has been difficult for it to be taken seriously and, what is more important, that it is acted upon.

“For example, the biggest contractors win a lot of procurement contracts, but they usually don’t use direct or use coherent supply chains. In housing, SMEs only build 9% of homes. So it’s surprising that with eight out of 10 construction apprentices trained by SMEs, do we have a skills crisis in construction?

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RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “The creative industries are a powerhouse for growth, and we are pleased to see this recognised.

“To maximize their potential, the government must facilitate access to a continued pipeline of national and international talent, including strengthening the mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the EU.”

And Alasdair Reisner, chief executive of the Association of Civil Engineering Contractors, said the government needed to “be clear about its ambitions and future policies”.

“The challenge remains to turn political warm words into real change on the ground. We would encourage the government to develop a clear partnership with those who provide our future infrastructure, to ensure there is a single and well-understood change program that all the industry can follow.”

The plan comes against the backdrop of Labour’s ambitions to build 1.5 million homes in its first five years in power. Home Builders Federation chief executive Steve Turner said: “We welcome the joint approach being taken to remove barriers to housing delivery, including recognizing the need to tackle the provision of infrastructures and the limitations of services and essential services.

“We are also keen to engage with how Skills England can help address the challenges facing the industry in terms of training and funding to ensure we have the workforce to build the homes we need “.