The Labour Party’s latest conference highlighted crucial issues in housing and infrastructure, with a focus on construction.
- The event saw a significant presence of MPs dedicated to addressing the housing crisis, reflecting growing political interest.
- A pivotal discussion, organised by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, brought together industry leaders and government representatives.
- Sarah Jones, the new construction minister, emphasised collaboration with the sector to tackle labour challenges and promote green skills.
- Insightful debates revealed key obstacles such as planning system constraints and material supply chain issues impacting growth.
The annual Labour Party conference featured a strong focus on housing, with 29 fringe events discussing the topic, demonstrating its priority on the political agenda. The emphasis on housing was matched by discussions on infrastructure, which were evident in seven other events. This setting provided an opportunity for ‘generation rent’ MPs to express ambitions for resolving the housing crisis.
Significantly, the only fringe event centred on ‘construction’ was a morning session managed by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association. This discussion delved into how the construction industry could support the realisation of government growth plans. Key attendees included former Mace executive turned MP, Mike Reader, and Sarah Jones, the newly appointed construction minister, who brought an open-ended approach to her role.
Minister Sarah Jones engaged in a dialogue on how immigration policies could be aligned with the construction sector’s labour demands. Discussions with immigration minister Seema Malhotra are ongoing, considering potential modifications to immigration rules that might address the skills shortage. Jones stressed that immigration was not the sole solution, highlighting the need for green skills as integral to meeting labour needs.
Jones introduced the prospect of a UK industrial strategy aimed at providing investment certainty, particularly within the construction sector. Her comments pointed towards the strategy serving as an economic ‘backbone’, potentially crowding in private investment for housing and infrastructure, which underlines the government’s strategic priorities.
Another critical issue addressed by Jones was late payment reform, a persistent problem within the industry. This topic aligns with Labour’s manifesto, indicating a strong intention to tackle financial inefficiencies. The session underscored Jones’s preference for listening to industry concerns to inform future policy-making.
Industry experts, including Brian Berry from the Federation of Master Builders, underscored the necessity of reforming the housebuilding market to empower SME builders, who play a crucial role in regional economies. Berry’s emphasis on local apprenticeships and economic retention resonated with grassroots industry needs.
Panelists, such as John Newcombe of the Builders Merchants Federation, highlighted the severe impact of material supply chain issues, comparing the recent decline in production to economic conditions not seen since 2008. This sector’s challenges are crucial as construction significantly influences national GDP and employment.
Marie-Claude Hemming from CECA stressed the importance of long-term infrastructure planning, advocating for stability beyond electoral cycles. The lack of a statutory basis for the National Infrastructure Commission was identified as a weakness in delivering sustained project development.
The skills shortage remained a dominant theme, with Kate Jennings of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering pointing out the difficulty of retaining young professionals within the UK. The industry’s appeal as a career path was discussed alongside modern construction methods, like offsite manufacturing, to alleviate workforce pressures.
The government’s new agendas highlight high stakes in delivering infrastructure and decarbonisation initiatives amidst existing demands. Minister Jones explicitly called upon the industry to step up, recognising the pivotal role construction plays in achieving broader economic and developmental goals.
The Labour conference’s discussions reveal multi-faceted challenges facing the construction sector, critical for achieving national growth ambitions.
