The UK is on the brink of a brave new world when it comes to immigration, and whilst Johnson has scrapped May\u2019s pledge to slash immigration numbers to tens of thousands and instead looks to introduce a points-based system, his approach is casting doubts over the government\u2019s existing immigration bill.<\/p>\n
Immigration restrictions post-Brexit<\/h3>\n
Whilst on the face of it, Johnson\u2019s plans are more liberal than May\u2019s, the devil really is in the detail when it comes to weighing up the UKs post-2021 options. What is clear, however, is that the new prime minister plans to impose some new immigration restrictions post-Brexit<\/a>, which could have potentially devastating consequences for the UK, particularly London, as its economy is so reliant on free movement. So, until the full scope of the plans are unveiled, the construction industry will be unable to effectively plan for its future.<\/p>\n Whilst a number of sectors could be hit hard by new restrictions on EU migrant labour, the construction industry, which is already in the midst of an extended skills shortage, needs to prepare for impact. With high living costs (in London, in particular) and a falling pound, the pull to the UK is not as strong as it once was for EU workers. Putting hurdles in place to reduce free movement to the UK is only going to turn the skills shortage into potential skills gulf within the industry.<\/p>\n For a country with many ambitious construction projects underway, a lack of available workers could prove highly detrimental to the UK\u2019s\u00a0development\u00a0plans. The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that the sector will need to recruit and train 31,600 workers every year for the next three years to keep up with demand. But the number of apprentices entering into construction falls very significantly short of this, meaning\u00a0urgent action needs to be taken. However, it appears that\u00a0the industry is\u00a0trailing behind.<\/p>\n To ensure that talent is preserved, a dialogue needs to begin around the urgency of\u00a0worker\u00a0retention. As it stands, Boris Johnson appears to be supporting an amnesty for the approximate 500,000 existing migrants without documentation in the UK. In addition to this, the Migration Advisory Committee is currently reviewing (in a 12-month-long process) the \u00a330,000 salary threshold required to qualify as a \u2018skilled worker\u2019, the current suggestion being to lower it to \u00a321,000. Further proposals include offering a fast-track system of providing visas to people with the skills needed to bridge the UK skills gap<\/a>.<\/p>\n Whilst these policies seem more liberal on the surface, there has been talk that the Prime Minister is keen to adopt an Australian-style points-based system, selecting only the most skilled migrant workers.\u00a0 Such a system would undoubtedly contribute towards UK employment issues, with many businesses, particularly those operating in the construction sector, struggling to recruit and retain their core workforce.<\/p>\n Recent industry reports have suggested that 21% of construction companies have laid off staff since the previous quarter, becoming increasingly reliant on subcontractors to carry out work. If this continues, there are worries that build quality across the UK could suffer as a result of this. To help mitigate this, construction companies must ensure that they undertake the appropriate due diligence in respect of their subcontract supply chain and look to establish good working relationships with reputable subcontractors, to avoid issues with quality control.<\/p>\n The Federation of Master Builders has also recently warned that a no-deal Brexit \u2018could lead to reputation-damaging mistakes\u2019,<\/em>\u00a0also stating that \u2018the construction industry has always used a significant proportion of subbies [sic] but the fact that direct employment is decreasing, points to Brexit nerves among construction bosses.<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n The wider impact on the construction industry is likely to worsen the current housing crisis. For example, the\u00a0Government\u2019s\u00a0target to build 300,000 homes a year\u00a0would\u00a0become even more difficult\u00a0with a reduced workforce.<\/p>\n Such\u00a0ambitious targets\u00a0would prove\u00a0nigh on\u00a0impossible to achieve without the development of innovative\u00a0industry methods and technology, for example,\u00a0investing in\u00a0modern methods of construction.\u00a0This\u00a0would mean less pressure on construction companies to hire so many staff\u00a0and\u00a0whilst the UK is still figuring out how the new immigration regime will\u00a0function,\u00a0this could\u00a0go some way\u00a0to\u00a0help in\u00a0mitigating the impact of the\u00a0skills shortage\u00a0\u2013 at least in the context of residential development. As well as people, a restriction on free movement of goods post-Brexit could also put pressure on construction companies.<\/p>\n If they haven\u2019t already done so, taking stock now and reviewing goods procurement strategies\u00a0is key for construction companies.\u00a0By assessing how reliant the business is on\u00a0materials from the EU,\u00a0they\u00a0can\u00a0then\u00a0begin to forecast and where prudent to do so, take measures to stockpile, avoiding disruption\u00a0to projects from limits on\u00a0supply.\u00a0Some larger companies have already started buying up their own plant-making facilities in view of\u00a0Brexit and the\u00a0subsequent changes to movement of goods and services\u00a0that will follow. Regardless of business size, forecasting is key, as well as ensuring that necessary funds are in place to facilitate stockpiling.<\/p>\n Businesses\u00a0which\u00a0have\u00a0not\u00a0taken steps to prepare for the post-Brexit world should take advantage of the extension and start\u00a0planning\u00a0\u2013 and acting\u00a0\u2013\u00a0now.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0vital\u00a0for\u00a0employers in the construction sector\u00a0to be\u00a0aware of the options available to them for sourcing and protecting talent, as well as materials.<\/p>\n As the new prime minister, Boris Johnson must recognise the positive impact that immigration and freedom of movement has on the UK and establish a clear position as soon as possible. It is crucial that he takes steps to ensure that the UK can get on with business as usual, pre and post-Brexit. Confident decision making is needed to free the UK from its current political deadlock so that the construction industry can continue to thrive, now and in the future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Construction team partner<\/p>\nWorker\u00a0retention in construction<\/h3>\n
Brexit and the housing crisis<\/h3>\n
Preparing for a post-Brexit world<\/h3>\n
![\"immigration,](\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/The-Brexit-fire-Could-the-change-of-prime-minister-put-it-out-300x300.jpg\")
Kate Onions <\/strong><\/p>\n