Scaffolding association calls for more housing from new Government

The Scaffolding Association will call on the new Prime Minister to better support scaffolding and access businesses – essential if the new government is to achieve its ambitious housing growth plan.

The Scaffolding Association is the UK’s largest dedicated trade association representing the scaffolding and access industry - 630 member businesses who employ half of the UK’s scaffolding contractor workforce.

The Association will write to the Prime Minister next week urging the new government to support the sector as well as the wider construction industry across several challenges.

Whilst the government is likely to focus its immediate attention on the cost of living, health and social care, immigration and asylum, the environment, defence and security, education and crime, its important that construction is not overlooked.

The new government has committed to build 1.5 million new homes during the next parliament and construction businesses are fundamental to achieving this ambitious manifesto commitment.

However, the industry is beset with challenges which will hinder progress. Labour shortages, cash flow, prompt payment, procurement practices, net zero, rising costs of supplies, technology and digital transformation and material shortages are subjects which will resonate with most construction businesses - particularly the 880,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s) which operate within construction – more than any other industry.

In the coming week, we are also likely to learn who will be picking up ministerial responsibility for the industry – which is no stranger to new ministers. The latest postholder will be the 23^rd incumbent since 2001 and the 12^th to be given the job in the past five years.

Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, Robert Candy, said; “The new government provides an opportunity to reset what’s not working and to find practical solutions which industry can work towards and realistically achieve.

The revolving door at the minister’s office has not been helpful and we need stability with a minister who can do the job that needs doing and who is going to remain in post long enough to make a difference.

We will be making this point clear in our letter to the Prime Minister as well as our commitment to work with and support all relevant government ministers and officials, to find solutions and achieve shared objectives”.