The
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is warning of the economic
consequences of a bad or no deal Brexit for the architecture sector in a new
report Global Talent,
Global Reach.
This
new research shows that the UK’s world-leading architecture sector is
particularly exposed to changes on the global stage because of its pre-eminent
position as an exporter and its reliance on international talent. However, this
means that there could also be new opportunities if UK Government takes the
right approach to retaining and attracting skilled architects and strikes key
trade deals.
RIBA’s
Global Talent, Global Reach report reveals:
- The
UK’s position as a global architectural hub, attracting the very best
talent from across the EU and earning more from exports than any other EU
nation, is at risk if access to European architects is cut off.
- Architecture
contributes £4.8 billion to the UK economy every year – in a ‘No Deal’
scenario architectural service exports to the EU alone will collapse by
29%. The total impact of lost export earnings from around the world could
be £73 million a year.
- Despite
the economic risks of Brexit there is potential for new growth in UK
architecture services outside of the EU. The UK vastly outperforms the
rest of the EU in global exports. Striking a services trade agreement with
the likes of China, the USA, India and the UAE could yield minimum returns
of £54 million in its first year, setting the stage for further growth of
the sector in new markets.
Photo: Simon Kennedy
British
architecture practices work around the world, producing transformative and
technologically advanced buildings that improve the lives of their occupants
and communities. They excel in exporting design excellence across the world,
from Norman Foster + Partners’ Apple Park in California to John McAslan +
Partners’ Kericho Cathedral in Kenya, the BBVA Bancomer Tower in Mexico City by
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects Antwerp Port House in
Belgium – British based architects are creating ground-breaking buildings on
every continent and setting standards for excellence around the world.
The
RIBA is urging the Government to take immediate steps to protect the British
architecture industry during Brexit negotiations, calling for:
- A
post-Brexit immigration system which continues to allow businesses to
access the best global talent from the EU and the rest of the world
- Continued
mutual recognition of architects’ professional qualifications with the EU
and new mutual recognition agreements for architects in markets like the
USA, Canada, Australia and China
- A
Brexit deal with the EU that maintains market access and avoids non-tariff
barriers, and new services trade agreements with large markets to open new
opportunities for UK architecture
- The
Department for International Trade to expand the scope and range to
support medium and small sized businesses to expand internationally
RIBA
President Ben Derbyshire said: “Without a Brexit deal that works for UK
architecture we risk losing more of our global talent due to increased costs
and economic uncertainty. A no deal Brexit is not an option; it would be a
disaster for UK architecture and our built environment, and the Government must
take this option off the table. This means remaining open to the best and
brightest talent from around the world and a new trade relationship with the EU
and the rest of the world. Anything less will lead to a skills exodus, higher
costs across the industry and the failure to deliver domestic policies on
housing, infrastructure and the industrial strategy all of which rely on our
being open for business to international design talent.”
RIBA
CEO Alan Vallance said: “British architects are the most respected and admired
in the world, but we can’t take this success and our £4.8bn contribution to UK
economy for granted. Brexit poses a real threat to the professions’ future
prosperity. The UK Government must make assurances to safeguard our profession
post-Brexit by ensuring our members have full access to talent from across the
EU and around the world. I want to maintain and build upon London and the UK’s
reputation as a global architecture talent hub, attracting the brightest from
around the world.”
