The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has urged Keir Starmer and his new government to recognise the importance of the UK's construction industry and the crucial role it plays in improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Highlighting how a new government offers the opportunity to build new relationships with policymakers and help them understand the challenges and opportunities for the sector, 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 (2024-2029), reforming the planning system, delivering a Warm Homes Plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of 5 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."

Eddie concluded: "The construction sector is reliant on stability, and we urge the Labour Government to ensure consistency and longevity with policy making and its communications with industry. A first step is to ensure the next Minister for Housing holds the brief for the long term so meaningful relationships can be formed between them and experts within the sector to create policies that work for us all. Furthermore, given the strategic importance of the construction sector, we believe it should be recognised as such at Cabinet Minister level."