Construction is a major player in the future of the UK with more than 2.2 million people directly employed and making up 6.4% of the economy.
Although it impacts upon every sector of society in one way or another its voice is not heard often enough within Government agendas.
In a bid to improve access for policy makers to industry knowledge, the Chartered Institute of Building has launched a new website that delivers key information, data and perspectives that reveal the true extent and value of construction professionals to UK society.
At a local level, the portal details construction’s activity across the UK so that MPs wanting to engage with the industry in their own constituencies can get a better feel for its influence. At a national level, the site provides a transparent way to view and engage with CIOB responses to government and industry consultations.
Eddie Tuttle, Principal Policy & Public Affairs Manager at the CIOB said: “Fostering collaboration has many mutual benefits and whilst this site won’t in itself bridge the gap between industry and government it is another tool in construction’s growing armoury where information can be more easily accessed and exchanged.
“Through the CIOB, the industry has shared its perspective on issues like migration and modern slavery that traditionally government has not looked to us for. Influencing the big debates happening in Whitehall and the regions and also the devolved administrations is helping promote the value and importance of construction as a whole. Industry participation is key.”
The site holds a catalogue of CIOB data and research that has been collated over the last ten years. It includes analysis of skills shortages in construction before, during and after the 2008 recession, the impact of ageing populations on the built environment, migration in construction, crime and corruption reporting and the value of professionalism within the sector.
The portal can be viewed at http://policy.ciob.org.
