Scottish Government must be realistic about construction challenges

Following the outcome of the 2026 Holyrood Election, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has stressed the importance of the construction sector in achieving the Scottish Government’s objectives.

CIOB warns Scotland faces profound, intertwined challenges like the housing emergency and ambitious climate change targets. Addressing these challenges will not be possible without a well-functioning construction sector.

Dr Jocelyne Fleming, Scottish Policy and Public Affairs Lead at CIOB, said: “A new parliamentary term offers the opportunity to both extend existing and build new relationships with policymakers.

“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to help deliver on their manifesto commitments, which included establishing a national housing agency, More Homes Scotland; developing a single, national skills plan for Scotland; reforming the planning system; and increasing the number of apprenticeships to 150,000 over the Parliamentary term.

“But to achieve these objectives, the sector and the new Government must be realistic about the challenges construction is facing, notably an ongoing skills shortage in critical roles plus a crowded and quickly changing policy and regulatory landscape.

“Our pre-election manifesto made it clear the next Scottish Government must take urgent action to move beyond fragmented policy interventions and fix the underlying systems that enable delivery. By taking a cross-portfolio, whole-system approach to housing supply, retrofit, skills, and building safety, this Scottish Government can create the conditions needed to turn ambition into action.”

Jocelyne concluded: “The construction sector is reliant on stability, and we urge Scottish Government to ensure consistency and longevity in its approach to policymaking, working in tandem with the industry.

“A first step is to engage with the sector on a range of pressing issues, including the design and structure of More Homes Scotland and the Heat in Buildings Bill, and to adopt the manifesto commitment from the Scottish Greens, which reflects CIOB’s proposals for a demolition levy to raise much-needed funds for building safety and remediation works.”

--CIOB