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Regulation backed at online hustings


T e event featured candidates running for the Holyrood elections


Regulation of the construction industry is essential for a safer and more productive future, election hopefuls from Scotland’s main political parties told a special digital hustings hosted by the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum. T e importance of skills and training


in the industry also won unanimous cross-party agreement from panellists during the exclusive event held online on Tuesday 27 April. A review of VAT on domestic repairs


and support for reform of procurement practices were other positive talking points – the latter supporting SELECT’s own manifesto suggestions for ways to improve the industry. T e hustings featured fi ve


candidates running for election to the Scottish Parliament: ●Carole Ford, Scottish Liberal Democrats ●Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour ●Laura Moodie, Scottish Greens ●Alexander Stewart, Scottish Conservative and Unionist ●Kevin Stewart, SNP. Answering questions from senior


Forum representatives and members of a selected audience, including SELECT Members, all panellists agreed that regulation was essential for the future of the construction industry. T e hustings can be viewed again at bit.ly/Forum-Hust


10 CABLEtalk JUNE/JULY 2021 S and rebuild.


The association says that, as one of the country’s biggest employers, the construction industry has a key role to play as Scotland continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape and create a more sustainable and inclusive sector. In particular, SELECT is keen to continue its close political partnerships to ensure the correct skills and training is delivered to properly qualifi ed


electrical professionals. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said:


“We are proud to have engaged


proactively and positively with members of the outgoing parliament on a number of issues of mutual importance and we anticipate a similarly constructive relationship with legislators in the new Holyrood intake. This includes Tom Arthur MSP, the new Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, who has taken on responsibility for the regulation of electricians’ work. “We were heartened in the last


Parliament by progress on the vital issue of professional recognition of electricians in Scotland, and


particularly by the support from


Jamie Hepburn, then Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills,


Let’s work together


ELECT has welcomed the new intake of MSPs to the Scottish Parliament and pledged to continue working closely with politicians of all parties to help the country recover


and his fellow MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, who worked with SELECT in developing a Members’ Bill on the regulation of electricians. “The establishment of an Electricians’


Working Group was a great advance and we would hope to see its work continue to ensure a successful outcome to our long-running campaign for regulation.” Alan pointed out that many MSPs had


backed SELECT through channels such as its Wall of Support, and that there had been widespread intake of pre-election backing for the primary aims of the SELECT manifesto, issued just before the poll. Alan said: “SELECT’s positive engagement with Scotland’s parliamentarians takes into account the interests of our 1,250 member businesses and 15,000


employees in a sector which is becoming increasingly vital to


the nation’s security and prosperity. “But it is also a primary channel of communication aimed at creating industry conditions which will allow us to support Scotland’s ambitious targets for net-zero, reduced energy use, decarbonisation, climate change and other principal policy objectives around accessible, sustainable places and inclusive economic growth.


“We look forward to a continued constructive engagement with the Scottish Parliament and demonstrating the same collaboration and


cooperation that has steered us successfully through the past 18 months.”


Jamie Hepburn (left) and Jamie Halcro Johnston(right)


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