25 March 2020
James Sunderland MP discusses the socio-economic impact of construction at industry reception

James Sunderland MP attended a meeting of leading construction industry professionals in Parliament for the launch of the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) “Real Face of Construction 2020” report. The event, which took place yesterday (24 February 2020), examined the social and economic performance of the construction industry and ways to maximise its value.

The report seeks to raise awareness of the construction industry’s giant reach into the economy which officially accounts for approximately 6% of economic output of the UK and provides employment for 2.3 million people, about 7% of the UK total. However, the narrow definition ignores the work of architects, engineers, planners, project managers and quantity surveyors, as well as the manufacturers dedicated to the industry and many other firms that support the sector such as builders’ merchants and plant hire firms. A broader definition of the industry to include these would suggest an industry nearly double of that officially recorded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The report also demonstrates the wide variations in regional performance and output that have occurred since 2013, indicating the need for careful, integrated policy making at a local, regional and national level.

Commenting on the discussion, James said: “It is clear the construction industry has a profound impact on the economy and a deep impact on people’s health, wealth and wellbeing. Looking at the figures for the South East, it is clearly one of the most vibrant parts of Great Britain for construction activity outside London, home to more businesses than any other region and has been among the most buoyant in recent years. Furthermore, it is important that at both central and local government level, we strive to understand and develop smarter solutions for important issues such as housing, leisure and public services, working alongside the construction industry and local people.”

“We also need a highly skilled and professional construction industry in order to take advantage of the huge opportunities that exist in the region, but I recognise that we need to make a concerted effort to attract new people to the sector.  There is a huge array of careers in the industry, from bricklaying to carpentry right through to construction management and digital design; and each of these roles are hugely important for transforming people’s lives.”

Caroline Gumble, Chief Executive of the CIOB, said: “The quality of our built environment affects every member of society; our work influences productivity and wellbeing, creating the homes, hospitals, schools, workplaces and infrastructure essential for a good quality of life. We are aware of the impact, both positive and negative, that construction projects can generate, and the purpose of our report is to educate policy makers on the need to work in partnership, utilising our industry more effectively, particularly at a regional level, to rebalance the economy and offer people a quality career in the sector.”

The CIOB’s new socio-economic report, entitled the Real Face of Construction 2020 can be accessed here.

image/svg+xml

James Sunderland MP and Caroline Gumble, Chief Executive of the CIOB