Builders call for relaxation of immigration laws to counter Brexit-driven skills deficit
Almost half the Federation of Master Builders membership is in favour of relaxing immigration laws to counter a skills deficit in the industry.
Labour supply was badly impacted by Brexit which saw many highly-skilled European builders return to the continent.
The latest State of Trade Survey from the FMB reveals that 48% of members are in favour of the Government introducing plans to attract more skilled labour from abroad to help address the chronic skills gap in construction – 21% opposed changing immigration rules, and 27% neither supported nor opposed them.
With the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) reporting the need for 53,000 additional workers a year to meet construction demand, the FMB is calling for all options to be considered to get Britain building.
The FMB survey data also stressed support for any immigration measures to be underpinned by investment in UK-based skills training.
The survey also reveals a fall in workload and employment and a significant drop in enquiries for future work. Small house builders have been particularly badly hit, with a dramatic decline in workloads and enquiries.
Source: The Business Desk
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