LABC respond to budget

12.03.2020

News

Responding to the budget by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, LABC Chief Exec Lorna Stimpson said,

“Understandably the budget was dominated by the government's response to coronavirus. And the Chancellor was correct to say it was the key urgent challenge but not the only challenge the country faces.

“So I’m pleased the Chancellor looked beyond the current crisis – but he needs also to address fundamental weaknesses in the UK construction sector if the government is to deliver its ambitious infrastructure plans, build the new homes and meet tough new carbon emissions targets. It will need a robust, professional and properly funded public service building control sector.

“I welcome the commitment to increase departmental spending limits above inflation and LABC will be using the opportunity of a summer spending review to press the MHCLG to ensure local authorities and their building control teams are provided with adequate resourcing to ensure competence and their resilience. We also welcome the additional £1bn fund for unsafe cladding removal and widening it beyond ACM.

We need to transform, modernise, improve efficiency and quality to make all our buildings safe.

Lorna Stimpson

And that demands improvements to training and skills across the sector that have been downplayed and under-funded ever since the financial crisis. As a result, all professions and trades are ageing and suffering recruitment and retention issues. This comes at a time when the nation needs more construction people to deliver new homes and retro-fit existing buildings to meet carbon reduction targets.

“Properly funded public service building regulators should be seen as an investment with real economic and social value – not a cost. So it is now it is time for the government to make that investment to meet the demands for new homes, action on climate change and the new building safety regime.”