1 in 5 worker Brexodus threatens 300,000 homes target

Aaron Morby 8 years ago
Share

House builders are issuing a stark warning to Government that a ‘bad’ Brexit will torpedo its plan to deliver 300,000 new homes a year.

New research on over 1,000 housing sites in England reveals that one in five workers are from overseas. The census of over 37,000 workers reveals that housing delivery is nearly twice vulnerable as broad-based construction to restricted access to foreign workers.

In London where the housing crisis is most acute, 56% of the site workforce is non UK.

Concerned house builders are now warning they must continue to have access to skilled EU workers post-Brexit if they are to deliver the Government’s ambitious new housing targets.

Regional spread of Non UK on housing sites

Survey of 37,167 workers on 1090 housing sites

  • 20%: south east house building sites
  • 56%: London sites
  • 18%: East of England
  • 10%: South West
  • 2%: Yorkshire/Humber just 1.8% are non UK
  • 5.9%: North West
  • 15% of bricklayers are non-UK workers (48% in London)
  • Non UK workers tend to be younger with less as a % over 50

Published official Government statistics suggest that 13% of general construction workers across the UK are foreign-born, of which 5.7% are from EU-accession countries.

The new house building census confirms the reliance on foreign labour is the heaviest in the South East, where housing demand is acutest, and in-particular London where over half of workers are from abroad.

Concerned house builders are now calling on Government to secure the status for existing employees as quickly as possible and ensure house building roles are represented in future immigration arrangements.

They warn that with Government setting a challenging target of 300k additional homes a year by 2025 industry capacity remains a huge challenge.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, which conducted the survey, said: “The results of this census clearly demonstrate the reliance the industry currently has on non UK workers.

“Output is up a massive 74% in recent years but achieving the very challenging targets set by Government will require further big increases in workforce capacity.

“Whilst the industry is investing heavily in recruiting and training young people leaving our schools, colleges and universities, continued access to overseas workers is absolutely essential.”

The census also shows the increasing risk the industry faces from an ageing workforce and how the potential reliance on EU workers will grow in the coming years.

Around 22% of UK passport holders working in house building are over 50, while only 10% of EU workers are in that age bracket. Around 70% from the EU are in the 20-39 age group compared to only around a half of those born in the UK.

Latest news

10-Year Infrastructure Strategy published

Full details as Government pledges £725bn of funding over the next decade
8 hours ago

Competition watchdog turns attention to civil engineering

Competition and Markets Authority launches study into road and rail delivery
8 hours ago

Mace director joins Wates as Chief Commercial Officer

Pat Fitzgerald to lead commercial strategy at Wates
29 seconds ago

Korean firm buys part built Hackney job from failed Elements Europe

Work can now restart on 21-storey hotel and office development
11 hours ago

Mark Wild radical reset plan to rescue HS2

Senior manager bonuses scrapped and non-permanent labour cutback
14 hours ago

HS2 supply chain fraud claims spark ministerial probe

Transport secretary pledges one-year reset for HS2 to end 'litany of failures'
1 day ago

Lords launch inquiry into Building Safety Regulator delays

Industry asked for evidence of how system is failing: Have your say
22 hours ago

Willmott Dixon director becomes co-owner of local contractor BSN

Nick Gibb targets £100m turnover at Dudley based national contractor
1 day ago

Dry lining boss sentenced after mystery account moves

Court hears of £500,000 in unexplained transfers before contractor went under
14 hours ago

Barhale bags £16m shaft tank for Severn Trent Water

"Final piece in the puzzle" of Etruria Vale upgrade
13 hours ago

Keltbray strikes £30m funding deal for growth

Three-year funding deal to support push into higher-margin work
2 days ago

Take That brother buys steelwork giant William Hare

Entrepreneur Simon Orange seals deal for £350m turnover contractor
2 days ago

Civils contractor LF Solutions files administration notice

£20m-turnover specialist has labour supply arm and own plant fleet
2 days ago

Joseph Gallagher lands £50m green energy deal

Major trenchless construction contract for HyNet North West project
2 days ago

New boss drives NG Bailey to record revenue

Fresh strategy lifts M&E group's order book to £1.6bn
2 days ago

Costain wins vast underground hydrogen storage design job

Firms lands FEED contract for Cheshire salt caverns conversion
2 days ago

Graham gets green light for £70m Glasgow student tower

Construction due to start this year on 25-storey Anderston scheme
2 days ago

New £16bn National Housing Bank to drive 500k new builds

Homes England given new powers to finance stalled and complex schemes
2 days ago

Morgan Sindall upgrades profits forecast for this year

Overbury fitout and construction operations exceed trading expectations
3 days ago

Major project bidders to face ‘British jobs’ test

Contractors to face tougher jobs pledge scrutiny under new procurement shake-up
3 days ago

Green light for £32m Wythenshawe Culture Hub

Construction to start this year on first phase of £500m town centre revamp
3 days ago

Hercules delivers record first half as HS2 fuels growth

Labour supply specialist says HS2 demand climbing with 630 workers now deployed
3 days ago

Private equity firm acquires Hepworth Clay pipes business

Historic UK drainage manufacturer sold by Wavin
3 days ago

Balfour Beatty names new Scottish MD

Nick Rowan to take reins as Hector MacAulay to retire after 40 years
3 days ago

£500m rail deal locks in future for Scunthorpe steelworks

Government-backed deal with Network Rail safeguards UK production
3 days ago

Morrison rides in for £19m mountain bike R&D hub

Flagship Borders cycling R&D hub set for Caerlee Mill site
3 days ago

Revised plan submitted for Manchester landmark towers

400 more flats added to Albert Bridge House scheme
4 days ago

Job losses loom at consultant GHD

Redundancy consultation underway with jobs at risk
4 days ago

Knight Harwood lifts margin to 4.9% as profit hits £6.5m

London specialist sees strong office and luxury resi pipeline
4 days ago

Hampshire launches £150m minor works reboot

General builders, M&E and roofing firms invited to apply
4 days ago

Contractor services