Conservative
MP for St Albans, Anne Main, visited the British Board of Agrément to meet with
BBA Chief Executive Claire Curtis-Thomas.
The
meeting was to discuss the ramifications of Britain’s disengagement from Europe
and how the construction industry can work with government to ensure safety
standards are fully adhered to.
Ms
Main and Ms Curtis-Thomas discussed some of the challenges to the industry that
have arisen as a result of Brexit. As highlighted by the Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy Committee in its recently launched enquiry into the
implications of Brexit, they acknowledged that there are some key areas of
uncertainty for the UK construction industry over the course of the new year.
However,
it was also agreed that despite these current uncertainties, there is a good
opportunity for UK construction to be presented as an attractive investment
proposition for investors post Brexit.
Ms
Curtis-Thomas also highlighted the current BBA ‘Whistle Blower’ campaign, an
initiative intended to provide help and support for people working within the
industry who have concerns about malpractice.
“It
was a pleasure to meet Anne, a committed parliamentarian who is dedicated to
supporting the best interest of the people she represents. We had a fruitful
and interesting conversation about Brexit and the need to establish a national
whistle blowing service for the construction sector. Anne has pledged her
support to raise the profile of this important initiative,” said Ms
Curtis-Thomas.
Ms
Main also enjoyed the meeting and intends to take positive action to support
the BBA Whistle Blower campaign:
“It
was a pleasure to meet with the BBA and to discuss some of the concerns they
raised. I was also glad to discuss some of the challenges the industry faces
and the opportunities they will have after we leave the European Union. The BBA
raises some important concerns regarding whistleblowers, industry oversight and
misuse of BBA accreditation. I will be taking forward these concerns to the
government.”
After
a number of other contributory factors were discussed with regard to Brexit and
the future of UK building and construction, the principle conclusion drawn from
the meeting was that the way forward is to be positive in our outlook, and that
our industry needs to continue paving the way for a better and safer future.
The
British Board of Agrément was formed in 1966 and offers certification, testing,
audit and inspection services to manufacturers of construction products and
systems and installer approval. It is also the UK's leading authority on the
assessment of insulation products and installation techniques.
