Chancellor urged to address construction staff shortages in London

Laura Edgar of The Planner reports Khan wants additional funding for affordable housing and further devolved powers for London.

One of the primary concerns for housebuilders surrounding Brexit is continued access to the almost 100,000 skilled construction workers from the European Union who help to build the homes and infrastructure needed in London.

Khan noted research from the Construction Industry Training Board (pdf), which suggests that 42 per cent of London’s construction employers have already been affected by Brexit, suffering staff shortages, project delays and reduced levels of investment.

He also referred to the latest RICS Construction and Infrastructure Market Survey (pdf), which suggests that 55 per cent of its members have reported skills shortages. It cites the lack of quantity surveyors and bricklayers as being particularly acute.

In October, Khan announced that London needs to deliver 66,000 new homes a year to meet growing demand. He called on the government to increase funding and powers for London in the Budget.

Now, he wants “emergency action” in the Budget “to give him the resources and powers he needs to support homebuilding in the capital through the turbulence of the Brexit process”.

The mayor wants greater control over public land and for councils to be able borrow to invest in homes, a massive increase in government funding for homebuilding and infrastructure, and full control over London’s skills and further education systems.

This must go hand in hand with guarantees of the rights of EU nationals living in London and continued access to the single market when Britain leaves the European Union, said Khan.