APS is gearing up for a renewed UK-wide lobbying effort in a bid to inform newly elected MPs of issues around building safety and other pressing issues in construction as well as the work of the organisation.
Devin Scobie, a long-established political consultant to APS on corporate affairs, has been talking to members of the Welsh parliament as they look to roll out new legislation on building safety, as well as to Scottish MSPs to help influence legislation.
APS’s lobbying efforts, including a reception at Westminster later in the autumn, will also raise issues around skills shortages, an area highlighted in its manifesto before the election.
Croydon West MP Sarah Jones will be working across two departments as minister for construction (Image: Chris McAndrew)
Scobie said: “We are delighted that the new government is committed to increases in building new homes but it must be accompanied by investment in comprehensive training programmes and real, meaningful apprenticeships to build a skilled workforce capable of safely constructing the planned 1.5 million pledged over the next five years.”
Funds and resources
APS is also calling for the immediate allocation of funds and resources to training centres and educational institutions – with enforceable output targets. It wants to boost skills with a planned selective immigration policy to attract skilled workers, similar to the Australian model. This would be a short-term tactic for five years.
Government is yet to announce which minister is responsible for building safety and health and safety, but Croydon West MP Sarah Jones is minister for construction. She has been appointed minister of state at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and at the Department for Business and Trade, with responsibility for construction.
The Construction Leadership Council will continue in its present form and Jones will co-chair from the government side.
