CIOB launches pre-election manifesto

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched its manifesto ahead of the next UK General Election on 4 July, outlining how a future government can support the built environment sector.

The manifesto entitled ‘CIOB’s Manifesto for the Built Environment – Opportunities for future proofing the construction industry’ covers four key themes; Environmental Sustainability, Quality and Safety, The Future of Construction, and People and Skills.

It outlines short, medium and longer-term policy recommendations to address some of the major challenges facing construction and society including late payments to supply chains, the ongoing skills shortage, better opportunities for SMEs and improving diversity and inclusion in the sector.

Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: “Now the date for the UK General Election has been confirmed, we’ve launched our manifesto so we can engage with prospective parliamentary candidates while they’re developing their own campaigns.

“Candidates come from a range of backgrounds and don’t always understand the complexities and importance of the built environment sector, which is a major economic driver so it’s down to us all as the experts to educate them. It’s important they know what support is needed to enable the industry to play its part in creating a safe and sustainable built environment for everyone.”

CIOB’s manifesto recommendations are:

Environmental Sustainability

• Develop and implement a green skills fund
• Adapt building regulations to include whole-life carbon assessments
• Develop and implement a national retrofit strategy

Quality and Safety

• Review the voluntary status of consumer codes for new-build housing
• Provide fairer opportunities for SME housebuilders
• Reform the current Land Value system

Future of Construction

• Tackle late payment culture
• Develop and implement a strategy for Modern Methods of Construction
• Use geographical clustering to level up the UK

People and Skills

• Include EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) commitments in public sector contracts
• Overhaul of the Apprenticeship Levy
• Introduce a Built Environment GCSE

Alongside the manifesto, CIOB will also be launching a dedicated election page on its website for its members to stay updated on key dates, election candidates and what the political parties are saying in their own manifestos about the built environment.

Caroline continued: “I strongly encourage CIOB members to use this manifesto and our online resources to engage with those standing for election in the constituencies they live and work in to help push construction further up the political agenda.”