Two Thirds Of Construction Sector Down Tools

Two Thirds Of Construction Sector Down Tools

Almost two thirds (63 per cent) of builders feel as though the government are letting them down by failing to provide clear instructions about the sector whilst the UK is on lockdown.

The majority of building companies and their employees feel as though the government should provide declarative guidance for the sector and open up the various help offered to retail and hospitality sectors to businesses working in construction.

The construction sector believes that only emergency and critical construction work should continue at the current time, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Whilst the government has insisted that construction work could still take place as long as workers remain two metres apart from each other, 60 per cent of builders have already suspended between 76 per cent and 100 per cent of their work.

However, until the government enforce the break, certain business help remains out of reach to the sector. 80 per cent of builders would look to apply for the £25,000 grant which is open to businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industries.

The construction firms looking for government support claim that it could help them save a collective 1,956 jobs across 303 businesses.

 Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:

“Most FMB members have already taken the lead and ceased the majority of their work. It is almost impossible to follow Public Health England’s social distancing advice on many sites, and it would therefore be safer to close them.”

“However, the Government must ensure that these firms don’t face a cliff-edge while doing the right thing and should ensure that grants of £25,000 are made available and that ample support is extended to the self-employed who represent 37% of construction jobs.”

“No one should have to choose between feeding their family and protecting their health and yet that is the position many builders currently find themselves in. There is a clear appetite for greater Government support among builders, as demonstrated by the fact that 80% would apply if grants were available. Later today, the Chancellor must avoid any halfway house measures and ensure that he delivers equal support for the self-employed as those on PAYE. This package needs to cover the breadth of people who are self-employed not just a select few.”

Do you think the government need to offer clear, declarative guidance on numerous areas of the property sector?

Martin Parrin

Martin is a Senior Content Writer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills and Probate, Today’s Legal Cyber Risk and Today's Family Lawyer Having qualified as a teacher, Martin previously worked as a Secondary English Teacher that responsible for Head of Communications. After recently returning to the North West from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, Martin has left teaching to start a career in writing and pursue his lifelong passion with the written word.

1 Comment

  • Yes and a minister for employee support

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