Construction industry reactions to the election result
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[edit] The 2024 UK election result
Just over six weeks since Rishi Sunak the then Prime Minister announced the general election, polling stations closed at 10pm on July 4, 2024. By 4am the next day it was clear that the labour party was on course for a landslide victory. The final results of the election published later that day were:
- The Labour Party : 410 seats (an increase of 209)
- The Conservative Party: 119 seats (a decrease of 248)
- The Liberal Democrats: 71 seats (an increase of 63)
- The Scottish National Party: 9 seats (a decrease of 38)
- Sinn Fein: 7 seats (no change)
- Independent candidates: 6 seats (an increase of 6)
- The Democratic Unionist Party: 5 seats (a decrease of 3)
- Reform UK: 4 seats (an increase of 4)
- The Green Party: 4 seats (an increase of 3)
- Plaid Cymru: 4 seats (an increase of 2)
- The Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2 seats (no change)
- The Alliance Party:1 seat (no change)
- Ulster Unionist Party: 1 seat (an increase of 1)
- The Traditional Unionist Voice: 1 seat (an increase of 1)
Below are some of the reactions to the election result as they are published by construction industry bodies.
See also the articles The construction industry ramps up for the general election, Political party manifestos, design, construction and a last look and What the political party manifestos say on housebuilding and building safety.
[edit] The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA)
Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA, congratulates Keir Starmer and his team on yesterday’s electoral success.
ECA looks forward to building on existing relationships with elected representatives and collaborating with the new government to achieve the five missions set out in the Labour Manifesto.
Electricians will play a pivotal role in delivering the key missions – from economic growth to clean energy. ECA will therefore be seeking early conversations with Minsters as the government takes shape.
Electrification is a key element of decarbonising the UK economy, and a skilled electrical workforce is essential to the safe and successful roll-out, integration and maintenance of low-carbon technologies – from heat pumps to solar panels and EV charging infrastructure.
The shortage of skilled electricians is a fundamental obstacle to achieving net zero. The current state of the electrical skills system demands early attention. It takes four years to develop the core competencies needed for electrical work and installation. We urge the new government to take this first step on the path to achieving the 2030 target set out in the manifesto.
To stimulate economic growth, we must address fundamental flaws in the procurement system. Most of the construction industry is united behind calling for protective legislation to stop the abuse of retentions and improve payment performance.
Small businesses (SMEs) make up the majority of firms in the electrotechnical sector.
They are essential to delivery of good jobs and opportunities for young people in local communities. SMEs need better support to deliver apprenticeships. This includes removing unnecessary red tape and increasing financial incentives.
ECA calls on the new government to place qualified electricians at the heart of net-zero transition. To bring in protective legislation to combat poor payment practices. To address the challenges which are preventing an increase in people qualifying as electricians, and establish a stronger skills pipeline to support learners into electrical employment.
ECA wishes the new administration every success in achieving its ambitious programme and looks forward to working constructively with the Labour Government.
This section was issued via press release as 'ECA welcomes new government' issued on July 5, 2023
[edit] Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
CIAT would like to congratulate Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their general election win.
We look forward to working with new Ministers in their posts in due course.
We welcome the opportunity to work closely with you in government as you seek to address important areas relating to the built environment sector: building safe new homes, tackling skills shortages in our workforce, and utilising retrofitting to decarbonise the UK's building stock as part of the 2050 Net Zero target.
We strongly believe that our members are ideally placed for much of the work needed to achieve these goals. Not only do Chartered Architectural Technologists have expertise in building design, they underpin this with the knowledge and experience of the best technological solutions for retrofitting existing buildings and installing new buildings.
The nature of the UK's existing building stock indicates an urgent need for a major retrofitting programme that covers both residential and commercial properties. The unique skill sets held by our members make them a superlative choice to be at the forefront of such a programme, working together with the installer sector. We also support and anticipate the implementation of grants and low-interest loans for homeowners and businesses to undertake these energy-efficient retrofitting projects, as outlined in your manifesto.
The new Labour government's dedication to building safety aligns with CIAT's values and is something our Chartered Architectural Technologists can help you achieve. Our members will work collaboratively with you to ensure all buildings meet rigorous safety standards, and we will advocate for and assist in your plans to retrofit social housing for the purpose of safety improvements.
As a highly respected Chartered professional body, CIAT is driven to ensure that its members are fully and appropriately qualified. We continue to work with a range of academic and other like-minded sector organisations to ensure that both the rapid advances in technology and the evolving best practices for the sector are assimilated into our own membership requirements.
One of CIAT's primary concerns is improving the skills shortage in the built environment sector. We fully approve of your promise to create one million green jobs, which will include many jobs and training programmes in the construction sector. Your pledge to integrate sustainability and construction skills into the education system at various levels will revolutionise our industry for an entire generation. It will help guarantee a consistently skilled workforce for the sector, while also helping secure a brighter future for the world.
We look forward to a positive relationship, working with and contributing our members' expertise to the relevant government ministries in assisting to formulate policies that will ensure we consistently meet targets and achieve goals within the time frames specified in your manifesto. We believe that a consistent and measured approach will greatly help the flow of private sector investment into the industry, which is much needed.
Congratulations again on your historic win; we are excited to get started.
This section appears on the CIAT news and blogsite as 'Welcome to the new government' dated June 5, 2023.
[edit] Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
CIOB stressed the importance of the construction industry and the crucial role it plays in improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
Following the Labour Party’s victory at the UK General Election 2024, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has stressed the importance of the construction industry and the crucial role it plays in improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes in all areas of the UK.
Eddie Tuttle, Director for Policy, External Affairs and Research at CIOB, said: “A new government offers the opportunity to build new relationships with policymakers and help them understand the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
“We look forward to working with the Labour Government to help deliver on their manifesto commitments, which included building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament (2024-2029), reforming the planning system, delivering a Warm Homes Plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of 5 million homes, and developing a national industrial strategy to drive economic growth.
“But to do this, we and the new Government must be realistic about the challenges the construction industry is facing, notably the shrinking skills base and the ageing construction workforce, with significant numbers of workers retiring and a lack of new entrants joining.
“Our pre-election manifesto made it clear the current apprenticeship system and its funding mechanisms need reviewing as a matter of priority to make sure training is affordable and relevant. It must also ensure the correct incentives are in place to drive construction businesses to recruit the number of qualified professionals needed to deliver the new government’s manifesto aims. Without a stable pipeline of competent workers, there are significant risks to the delivery and feasibility of housing and infrastructure projects and the new Government will struggle to meet its own targets along with the needs of communities up and down the country.”
Eddie concluded: “The construction sector is reliant on stability, and we urge the Labour Government to ensure consistency and longevity with policy making and its communications with industry. A first step is to ensure the next Minister for Housing holds the brief for the long term so meaningful relationships can be formed between them and experts within the sector to create policies that work for us all. Furthermore, given the strategic importance of the construction sector, we believe it should be recognised as such at Cabinet Minister level.”
This section appears on the CIOB news and blog site as 'CIOB reacts to UK General Election result' dated June 5, 2023.
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