Overcoming the challenges of Brexit
From skills to regulations to investment, the effects of Brexit will be felt at all levels of our industry. In July 2016, Sir John Armitt, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), examined how the challenges can be overcome.
You can see the original article here.
The EU referendum outcome has left a cloud of uncertainty over the infrastructure and construction industry. Access to skills, foreign investment, use of codes, standards and regulations, and funding for research – the things which are core to delivering the infrastructure that forms the backbone of the UK economy, are hanging in the balance.
During recent weeks, I have been asked numerous questions around use of pan-European codes, standards and practices. We are a global industry with a global supply chain. It is clear to me that we should not walk away from practices which create a common framework for trade, and help us do business not only across the continent, but all over the world. The UK's record on transparency and fair procurement processes also signifies the strength of the UK market and I see no reason why this would not continue.
The answer to the fundamental question around skills is less clear. The sector already faces a skills shortage. Government predicts that the current infrastructure pipeline creates demand for over 400,000 engineering and construction workers by 2020 – with a need to recruit and train nearly 100,000 additional workers by the end of the decade.
UK infrastructure businesses employ many thousands of EU citizens and rely on the ability to bring in specialist skills. The construction sector also depends on a transitory EU workforce. We have some major projects in the future pipeline, but industry also needs to be confident that it can get hold of the skills needed for the work in the pipeline over the next few years. It needs this assurance now.
The issue of free movement in a Brexit world is extremely complex, politically charged, and requires careful consideration. Politicians and officials leading the exit negotiations must be equipped with the facts – on the likely impact on the sector's skills supply, costs and capability, but also on the key issues surrounding infrastructure investment, and on what the UK will need to maintain its status as world leader in engineering research.
So our industry must look forwards; we must work together to ensure these negotiations are informed. ICE is well placed to bring the sector together and channel its collective expertise through a single voice, and I am pleased to have established a leadership group to drive this forward, including experts from Pinsent Masons, RICS, Skanska, Aecom, KPMG, BSI and the Construction Leadership Council.
The group will gather expert knowledge, data and evidence on what it agrees are the fundamental issues facing the sector, and provide compelling evidence based briefings to negotiators. It will liaise with politicians and civil servants and appoint other industry experts to assist them. The information gathered through this project will be provided to the Brexit unit set up in the Cabinet Office under Oliver Letwin MP. Ultimately, our aim is to help this team negotiate the best possible deal for the country. The Royal Academy of Engineering is undertaking a programme of work in parallel looking across the engineering disciplines, and we will feed into this.
I have always felt that Britain is at its best in a crisis. Our ability to 'pull together' is central to that and in this unprecedented situation it will help us in identifying not only the risks we face, but the opportunities ahead. Our industry is uniting, but now more than ever it – and the country as a whole – needs political unity. We need a move towards cross party consensus on the negotiation outcomes that are in the best interest of UK plc and society.
Political hiatus will only exacerbate the uncertainty and send a negative message to investors. The National Infrastructure Development Plan (NIDP) is clear on its reliance on private investment to deliver much of the UK's future infrastructure, and the new Government must continue to foster belief that the UK is a growing economy and a place which offers a good return on investments. This means it must visibly step up and reassert its commitment to infrastructure. It must progress core projects and programmes, drive the NIDP forwards, and not duck out of taking bold, strategic decisions on issues that are vital to the UK's competitiveness and show we remain open for business. The airport expansion decision is a case in point.
Looking ahead, the UK remains a part of the EU for at least another two years. This makes the work of the National Infrastructure Commission even more important. Its longer term approach to the major investment decisions facing the country, its unbiased analysis and the cross party support behind its aim, will give investors certainty on our future direction.
The independent National Needs Assessment that ICE is leading, which will be provided to the commission to support its own needs analysis, will also come at a pivotal time. It will be published in the autumn and provide a timely contribution to the negotiation positions as they are developing.
ICE has also published a briefing on the importance of infrastructure to a strong UK economy following the EU referendum, Brexit - The case for infrastructure.
This article was originally published by ICE on 13 July 2016. It was written by Sir John Armitt.
--The Institution of Civil Engineers
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Articles by ICE on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- 2017 General Election manifestos.
- Architects' Brexit statement.
- Brexit.
- Brexit still unclear for some in engineering services sector.
- Brexit - the case for infrastructure.
- Brexit Topic Guide.
- BSRIA Brexit white paper.
- BSRIA calls for clarity following Brexit Article 50 High Court ruling.
- BSRIA response to Brexit speech.
- BSRIA response to Brexit white paper.
- HVAC and smart energy post-Brexit.
- Post brexit, house building and construction remains a safe sustainable industry.
- Post-Brexit vision for construction.
- What does Brexit mean for construction?
- EU Referendum - Environmental and climate change consequences for the built environment.
- Post-Brexit vision for construction.
- Safeguarding infrastructure post-Brexit.
- State of the nation: Devolution.
- The commercial implications of Brexit.
- Triggering article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
- What does Brexit mean for construction?
Featured articles and news
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.