LONDON (Reuters) – Construction and engineering companies are bearing the brunt of Britain’s labour shortage, a survey showed, highlighting the challenge facing Prime Minister Keir Starmer in delivering on his plans to boost housing and infrastructure.
The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly recruitment survey showed 82% of construction and engineering firms reported difficulties recruiting, up from 69% in the first three months of this year.
The problem – which is not limited to Britain – was equally acute in other sectors, with nearly 80% of transport and logistics companies and production and manufacturing companies facing similar problems, all as of early 2024.
Jane Gratton, director of public policy at BTEC, said: “It is worrying that recruitment difficulties have increased in recent months across all sectors. The sharp rise in the construction industry is particularly worrying.”
Starmer has promised to increase housebuilding and infrastructure investment by removing bottlenecks in Britain’s planning system. However, he has also promised to cut net migration despite warnings from some business leaders that such a move would exacerbate employment problems.
The BCC survey was based on responses from 4,761 businesses – 91% of which were small and medium-sized enterprises – received between May 13 and June 10.
