In the Viewpoint column of PBM’s September 2024 issue, editor Paul Davies reflected on the early days of the new Labour Government…
With Parliament entering its summer recess so soon after the General Election, we’ve not really had too much of an opportunity to get the measure on the new Government’s plans other than hearing Ministers inevitably attempting to manage expectations by proclaiming the nation’s finances “are much worse than we thought.” (NB: this column was written before the PM’s speech in the Downing Street rose garden just after the August Bank Holiday…)
Aiming for a strategy of “under promise and over deliver” is entirely sensible of course, but as we suggested last month, they will ultimately be judged on actual delivery, irrespective of whatever they may claim their inheritance to be…
Before the break — when attention drifted away from politics to focus on the latter stages of the Euros and the start of the Olympics, and ahead of an abrupt handbrake turn back into the world of hard news as disorder erupted across many parts of the country — the Labour Party set out it’s legislative programme with a relatively hefty 40 proposed bills.
Reportedly “the highest number of bills to appear in a speech from the throne since 2005, and the second highest since 1997,” many of the proposals will have a direct or indirect on the construction sector, and the initial responses from the industry appear to be relatively welcoming.
“With a return to local development plans and a stated commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years — a rate that will need to double when set against the most recent data from NHBC — Labour’s success or failure will be measured against these benchmarks, regardless of its current strategy of dampening expectations.”
Again, as was speculated last month, planning reform and a pledge to significantly ramp up housebuilding caught the eye, whilst a commitment to set up a “public body to improve workforce skills” will need to address the sector’s oft-repeated concerns about the shortfall of expertise in the industry.
As Brian Berry, Federation of Master Builders CEO, said: “Over recent weeks the new Government has set out ambitious plans to get Britain building again, but this can only be achieved if the skills crisis is tackled.
“There is a serious shortage of all trades in the construction industry, with the result that we need additional 240,000+ workers over the next four years. The Prime Minister’s announcement to set up Skill England recognises the seriousness of the problem, but details about how Skills England will operate remain light.”
Clearly, it is far too soon to make any judgements, especially with Parliament not sitting until early September, but with a return to local development plans and a stated commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years — a rate that will need to double when set against the most recent data from NHBC — Labour’s success or failure will be measured against these benchmarks, regardless of its current strategy of dampening expectations.
On the related point of skills and careers, we are looking forward to this month’s BMF Annual Members’ Conference which will mark the official launch of its highly anticipated ‘Sector Awareness’ campaign. The initiative has been designed as long-term programme to raise the profile of the building materials industry, providing a platform for recruiting the best talent — how it can be a career of choice, and not just an industry you either fall into or are born into.
Similarly, we would urge you all to back the Maddie Rose Campaign (see the news story on page 7 for full details) by supporting Maddie’s Day on Friday, 20th September. Set up to honour the legacy of a much-missed young woman who was passionate about the industry she worked in, Maddie’s Day helps to showcase the array of ‘hidden careers’ within the construction industry, highlighting the wealth of opportunities available to those just beginning their journey into the working world.
