BSRIA reaction to the 2015 restructuring of the Construction Leadership Council

Following the 16 July 2015 announcement by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) that it would restructure the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), scrap the Council's Delivery Group, and abolish the role of Government’s Chief Construction Advisor (CCA), BSRIA Chief Executive, Julia Evans, gave her reaction.

“BSRIA is concerned about the impact on the industry… The government has often asked for industry to speak with a single voice but it appears itself now to be working against that objective. The CLC – as now constituted – is effectively just one more body, not a unification of the various sector organisations.

The loss of the Chief Construction Adviser role at this crucial time will leave a significant gap in terms of drawing together the skills of the sector. The industry needs to look at how the work streams announced will be coordinated to avoid silos developing in the new approach. It is, therefore, vital that the work of the new CLC is informed by the whole of the industry and that the professional services sector has strong representation.

The united industry worked hard to establish a single point of contact through the Chief Construction Adviser and has ensured that two good people have filled the post effectively over the past six years. The role is still required.

BSRIA is disillusioned that BIS Ministers and officials have placed the future emphasis on dialogue with industry, rather than working in partnership, which was the strapline to the Industrial Strategy (Construction 2025).

We are also disappointed at the lack of dialogue and consultation with industry in arriving at these decisions; this announcement seems to come without meaningful consultation with industry about the proposals.

The construction industry is an important part of the UK economy (6% and growing), and it faces a number of challenges – yesterday’s shake-up does little to support these crucial issues and, in fact, raises more questions than answers.

How will these changes address: the acute labour shortage and attracting those with the right skills into the industry; the construction industry being at the vanguard of addressing energy consumption in both new and existing buildings; government wanting to position the UK as a global leader in the construction industry.

If Government doesn’t provide clear direction for industry how does it expect us to move forward? BSRIA is calling on government to outline the role of the construction industry.”

--BSRIA