Background

According to the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the UK construction industry has 250,000 firms employing 2.1m people, and contributes 8.2 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Construction companies provide employment for every skill level from labourers to architects as well as provide the opportunity to work for every size of firm from family run businesses to major contractors. Its efficient operation and competitiveness is also essential to the fulfilment of the Government’s commitment to improve public services and infrastructure. The delivery of new schools, hospitals, affordable housing and eco homes all depend on the success of the construction sector to deliver.
 
The Impact of the recession on the UK construction industry

The construction industry has been particularly badly hit as a result of the recession and the down turn in the housing market, and is now facing it's biggest challenge in many years. The indicators are that many will struggle to survive in the current market, with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors predicting the loss of over 300,000 jobs within the industry. Meanwhile, 52 per cent of SME builders are warning that they will be making staff redundant over the coming months.
 
There is a crisis in the housing market with many first time buyers unable to get a mortgage let alone afford a first home. Alongside this there are over 90,000 families living in temporary accommodation and 1.8m families on council house waiting lists; the case for building new homes is very clear. However, news from the National House Building Council shows new home starts being at their lowest level since 1924.

During the last recession the UK construction industry lost over 500,000 skilled jobs. We cannot allow that to happen again.