NASC and NFB focus on growth through construction  

NASC, the UK’s leading trade body for scaffolding and access in the UK, and the National Federation of Builders (NFB) joined forces on Monday to host a landmark ‘Growth Through Construction’ parliamentary lunch in the heart of policy-making, the House of Commons. The event brought together members of both federations, MPs, and industry leaders to explore how construction can lead the UK’s growth agenda.

Speaking at the event, Wayne Connolly, President of NASC, said: “NASC welcomes the opportunity to engage with politicians from both major parties and it was encouraging to hear that on both sides of the House there appears to be a recognition of the challenges we face from the skills shortage, as well as the need to reduce bureaucracy and cut red tape.

The government is right to see infrastructure projects and housebuilding as a key part of achieving its ambition to grow the economy. We all want to see more construction projects happening across all nations and regions of the UK.

But the government needs to understand that building 1.5 million homes, while also getting a lot of other major infrastructure projects off the ground, will require skilled and experienced scaffolders quickly. The house building target alone will require an estimated 40,000 scaffolders.

We need the government to do more than recognise the challenges, we need them to help us. Yesterday was the first day of paying the higher rate of employers’ NI. And this comes at a time when the government is demanding we build those 1.5 million homes and yet has shut the door on immigration for construction, while bottlenecks caused by the Building Safety Act are delaying projects, with an estimated 40% still waiting approval well beyond the promised eight to 12 weeks.

It is great to hear positive words from politicians, but we need the government to act. We want to engage more with ministers and policymakers. We want to explain the situation and we want to work with government to find solutions that work for all parties.”

An afternoon of lively conversation

The event, hosted by Aphra Brandreth MP, focused on the critical areas that are key to achieving the Government’s growth ambitions, housing and infrastructure delivery, skills and employment, planning reform, and the green transition.

Attendees heard from Florence Eshalomi MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Committee, former housing minister and housing consultant, Eddie Hughes, and Kevin Hollinrake MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Mr. Hollinrake provided a succinct analysis of the direction of travel the Conservative party should be heading and, in the room bearing his name, quoted Winston Churchill who highlighted businesses as ‘the strong horse that pulls the whole cart.’

Florence Eshalomi MP showed great understanding of the challenges faced by residents of unsafe buildings, the complexities of operating as an SME builder, and the need for the Government and politicians to work with those building the homes and projects key to solving the UK’s challenges and growth ambitions.

Mark Wakeford, NFB Chair, added:  

“Our sectors deliver the roads, rail and renewables. Construct buildings for jobs, homes, and public services. Maintaining our heritage will retrofit our 28million homes and employ 10% of our workforce.
NFB and NASC have come together to support the governments growth agenda and our ‘Growth through Construction’ event does just that by bringing together captains for industry, celebrating where we excel, identify where reforms could have the most impact and most importantly, informing our decision makers how growth is sustained.

We must thank Florence Eshalomi, chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for speaking at our event, providing excellent insight and showing that our politicians are united in supporting construction to build a better Britain.”