Tim Balcon, CEO, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB):
“We support the Government’s commitment to getting Britain building again. Over £110bn announced for infrastructure projects like Sizewell C, a fresh £39bn affordable homes funding settlement, and £13bn for upgrading millions of homes with improved insultation all translates to a buoyant construction industry. In total, there’s positive news to the tune of about £165bn for the industry.
“Of course, we need the skills on the ground to deliver these ambitions. To improve understanding of retrofit work, we’re supporting the development of a Repair, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) Sector Skills Plan, which aims to identify the specific skills needs and requirements across various occupations within the RMI sector. We’re investing £3.8m in the plan to develop tailored strategies, projects and interventions that address the unique needs of the sector.
“Similarly, at the beginning of this year, we launched the Sizewell C Skills Charter in partnership with Sizewell C, ECITB, Suffolk County Council, and East Suffolk Council. This was a commitment from all parties to working with training providers to support local recruitment and skills development that will have a lasting positive impact on employment and productivity in the area.
“Earlier this year, the Government announced a £600m construction skills package, £32m of which is investment from CITB to deliver increased industry placements. Back in November, we announced a £40m commitment to support the creation of Homebuilding Skills Hubs. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance for us to recruit and train our workforce – equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future.”
Steve Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), said:
“While investment in major projects like East-West Rail and Sizewell C is welcome, the Spending Review misses the mark by failing to reverse the tax policies threatening the very firms needed to deliver them.
“National Insurance hikes have made it harder to hire and retain staff, while looming changes to Business Property Relief risk wiping out the SMEs that underpin the supply chain.
“Without clear assurances in the Spending Review ruling out future tax rises, business confidence will remain low – undermining both growth and delivery. Unless ministers reverse course, they risk hollowing out the sector and turning today’s promises into little more than a wish list.”
