But is it all doom and gloom for the industry following Brexit? The industry’s main concerns include the potential skills shortage, the import and export of materials and the regulations and standards. It’s no surprise that the industry fears what the future might hold, as only 15% of construction professionals favoured the UK’s exit.
Skills shortage
The industry has raised concerns that Brexit could result in higher project costs as labour demand outweighs supply. This is because the UK’s construction industry has always heavily relied on sourcing skilled and unskilled workers from overseas. As the transition to leave the EU continues, the UK could face a shortage of workers for the industry as the free movement of people into the UK becomes an uncertainty. A shortage of workers could then have a knock-on effect on building projects, including the Government’s housing targets.
30% of UK construction professionals admitted that hiring non-UK workers was an important factor for the success of their business – however, surveyors have warned that key projects could be at risk following the exit – the Government has been told they could lose 8% of the industry’s workers. Scarily, skilled construction workers have not been added to the UK shortage occupation list which gives some sectors priority during the visa application process.
Exporting and importing materials
As members of the EU, previously the free movement of goods in and out of the UK to overseas EU countries was allowed. However, once the UK stands alone, we could face duties and restrictions that have previously been eliminated thanks to our EU membership. As Irish construction firms have already cut exposure, we question which countries are next?
Currently, according to the Department for Business Skills and Innovation, the UK imported 64% of their building materials from the EU and exported 63% of building materials to countries within the EU. Following Brexit, the UK could face limitations on importing and exporting which could lead to a shortage in materials or an increase in cost. The cost of materials has already experienced an increase since the announcement of Brexit, with the cost of imports from the EU increasing by 5.8% in January.
Regulations and standards
For some construction professionals, this is a great opportunity to take back more control over contractual risk and law clauses. Compliance across the UK is generally already strong, with Brexit not forecast to affect it. However, some fear that Brexit will lead to the removal of several red tapes outlined by the EU, but this does not necessarily mean that all ties will be broken between the UK and its former partner. Instead, a new model is likely to be negotiated and adopted, which is likely to also consider the current trading standards across the UK.
An industry standing on its own two feet
Brexit could prove to be the motivation the UK industry has needed to stand on its own two feet. Following the news that the UK voted to leave the UK, the number of EU-qualified architects registering to work in the UK has risen by more than 10% – in 2016 alone, suggesting that a fear of a skills shortage might not be a problem after all. The Government could have the opportunity to negotiate their own terms to employ non-UK workers.
Whilst there are fears of uncertainty in the construction industry regarding the export and import of vital materials, the UK’s plan to leave the EU could actually open up new doors for the industry. Following its exit, the UK could have the opportunity to stand tall on its own and negotiate its own trade agreements with trading countries across the UK, and other importing countries such as China and the USA. In addition, the Irish firms that plan to retain a presence in the UK indicate that the key opportunities within our country are housing, the Government’s Build to Rent scheme and public infrastructure.
