Act now to avoid industry crisis, ECA warns Liz Truss
Contents |
[edit] Priority
Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA is urging new Prime Minister Liz Truss to support the sector and focus on prioritising skills, electrification and net zero.
The electrotechnical industry is key to upgrading Britain’s energy infrastructure. However, their work needs urgent Government support to survive the energy bills crisis.
[edit] Comment
Andrew Eldred, ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, said:
“One of Liz Truss’ first orders of business as PM must be to bring down the cost of energy by supporting the transition to low cost, low carbon solutions. Our sector is leading the way in pivoting businesses to net zero energy saving solutions. But in an industry dominated by SMEs averaging 2.5 per cent profit margin and faced with more than 23 per cent inflation, the vast majority will struggle to cope with the latest energy price hikes adding to their own business overheads. Ms Truss must act now to support electrotechnical SMEs and avoid an industry crisis with severe knock-on effects across the construction supply chain, the likes of which we have not seen since the collapse of Carillion in 2018.”
[edit] Green levies
ECA is also urging Ms Truss to bring forward the review of Environmental and Social (green) levies on energy bills. The current levies mean electricity is taxed four times more than gas. Taxing both fuels equally could reduce domestic fuel bills by £100 per year.
This will also provide an immediate incentive to increase the electrification of the UK’s energy, heat and transport networks, bolster the UK’s decarbonisation efforts, and help us become more energy-independent and less vulnerable to price fluctuations.
[edit] Open letter
In an open letter backed by signatories including construction industry bodies BESA, BSRIA, FETA, MCS and SELECT, ECA has urged the Prime Minister to shift the balance of levies from electricity to gas, thereby encouraging a switch to electricity.
[edit] About ECA and its members
ECA is the UK’s largest trade association representing electrical, electrotechnical and other engineering contractors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at regional, national and European level. ECA member-companies are rigorously assessed before membership is approved.
Member firms have a combined turnover in excess of £6 billion annually. Member firms carry out design, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance and monitoring activity across the domestic and commercial sectors. This ranges from power and lighting to data communications, to energy efficiency and renewables, as well as the design and installation of cutting-edge building control technologies.
ECA’s near 2,700 members range from SME electrical firms to nationwide engineering contractors and building services firms that employ thousands of professionals on major UK projects. ECA members also support over 5,000 apprentices annually.
For more information visit www.eca.co.uk
This article was sent as a press release by the Electrical Contractors Association, on September 5, entitled ‘Act now to avoid industry crisis, ECA warns Liz Truss’.
--Electrical Contractors Association
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Actuate UK issues climate warning and urges action.
- BSRIA call for more vocational training.
- Construction apprenticeships.
- Construction skills crisis threatens UK net zero goals.
- ECA joins calls for unprecedented action on energy prices in Spring Budget.
- EIC apprentice support programme.
- Net zero carbon 2050.
- The Building Safety Act and standard training for electrical contractors.
- Tackling the construction skills shortage.
- Transform to Net Zero.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Comments