UK rental industry reacts to the UK election results
05 July 2024
Photo: AdobeStock/chbaum
The UK’s Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA) has said that the incoming Labour government “must work with the construction industry” to address the critical issues the sector faces.
The Labour Party won a landslide victory overnight, picking up 412 seats at the time of writing, with two seats left to declare results.
Its leader Sir Keir Starmer will be formally announced as the new Prime Minister later today.
He has previously said that should his party be elected, he will prioritise the energy transition and build 1.5 million new homes to tackle the housing crisis.
Chris Cassley, policy manager, CPA, said, “The CPA offers its congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, on their win following yesterday’s General Election.
“The new government must work with the construction industry in addressing critical issues such as decarbonisation and reaching net zero, improving productivity and business investment, building the new homes that we desperately need, and renewing our ageing infrastructure.
“All of this requires a long-term vision and consistency from government in how policies are developed and implemented. Providing the stability and economic foundations needed for lasting economic growth comes only from engagement with industry in understanding the challenges companies face - and how they can be overcome.
“As new ministers and officials take up their roles in the coming days, the CPA looks forward to working with the new government in achieving this aim.”
Meanwhile, Eddie Tuttle, director for policy, external affairs and research at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), said, “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.”
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