At the start of February, CIOB brought together industry experts from the Northampton region to meet with local MP Andrew Lewer.
Lewer is a member of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee, chair of the SME House Builders All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and vice-chair for the Housing and Planning Group APPG. CIOB has had previous discussions with the MP to highlight issues on procurement, levelling up, planning reforms and the skills gap.
Discussions took place around how slow planning approval is, resulting in poor productivity, and how blanket conditions for social value on all projects regardless of type and length are counterproductive. The barriers to attracting new talent due to red tape was another subject of debate.
Towards the end of the discussion members focused on the role that professional bodies, such as CIOB, can play when it comes to ensuring the workforce is competent – and highlighted that construction can be a place for a professional career.
The round table produced some thought-provoking insights and CIOB will continue to work with parliamentarians to highlight issues facing the built environment, as well as potential solutions.
