Warning over lack of skilled workers post-Brexit
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the largest trade association in the UK construction industry, has stated that migrant labour is crucial to the sector and that in London alone, more than half the industry’s workforce is made up of non-UK nationals.
The group called on the next Government to make sure construction firms have enough skilled workers after Brexit. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The UK construction sector’s demand for skilled migrant workers from the EU and beyond cannot be overstated.
“Pre-Brexit, 60% of small construction firms are already having trouble hiring bricklayers and that’s before the UK abandons the free movement of people.
“If the next Government implements an inflexible immigration system that hinders the ability of talented foreign construction workers from making their way to the UK, any manifesto pledges relating to the delivery of housing and infrastructure will be rendered meaningless.”
