Labor Shortages Threaten Council House Building Goals

Andy Burnham's ambitions to build tens of thousands of new council houses are under threat due to a shortage of skilled workers. Industry leaders warn that the construction sector is facing a crisis exacerbated by an ageing workforce and the impact of Brexit. According to the UK Trade Skills Index, more than 200,000 EU workers have left the industry since 2019. Office for National Statistics figures show there were 31,000 vacancies in the construction sector between May and July of this year. Clive Dickin, chief executive of the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, noted a forecast shortage of 40,000 scaffolders alone over the next five years. He described the combination of Brexit and Covid as a perfect storm that saw skilled laborers leave the country. These challenges emerge as the prime minister unveiled 10 billion pounds of funding to build 70,000 new council homes across England, part of a wider Labour Party target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Mr. Burnham has confirmed he will adhere to Keir Starmer's red lines on Brexit, which rule out a return to the single market, Customs Union, or free movement of people.