INDUSTRY NEWS
construction sites doing non-essential, non-emergency work - thereby granting them financial support - during the coronavirus crisis.
In support of this, the FMB reported that its own research had discovered that: • more than half (60%) of builders have already ceased between 76% and 100% of their work;
• of those, 80% are in the domestic repair, renovation and maintenance sector;
• almost two-thirds (63%) of builders believe that the Government is not doing enough to support them;
• 80% of builders would apply for the £25,000 grant, currently only available to retail, leisure and hospitality firms, if it were made available to them; and
• of those 303 firms who said that they would apply, they employ a total of just under 2,000 people (1,956) and most commonly said that the grant would help them survive another two to three months.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Most FMB members have already taken the lead and ceased the majority of their work. It is almost impossible to follow Public Health England’s social distancing advice on many sites, and it would therefore be safer to close them.”
“However, the Government must ensure that these firms don’t face a cliff-edge while doing the right thing and should ensure that grants of £25,000 are made available and that ample support is extended to the self-employed who represent 37% of construction jobs.
“No-one should have to choose between feeding their family and protecting their health and yet that is the position many builders currently find themselves in. There is a clear appetite for greater Government support among builders, as demonstrated by the fact that 80% would apply if grants were available.”
One key point that all the construction industry bodies are keen to stress is that construction workers must stick to the guidelines for safe conduct throughout the crisis, as outlined by Public Health England. This includes maintaining a two-meter distance from all other people.
Public pressure has been mounting on social media forums such as Twitter where hashtags such as #shutthesites are used to show construction workers in breach of these guidelines and rally support for the proposal that the Government should be more involved in which sites and projects
It is almost impossible to follow Public Health England’s social distancing advice on many sites, and it would therefore be safer to close them.”
should remain open and which should close.
This is in turn simply adds more pressure on construction companies to close, even if they can operate within Public Health England’s safety guidelines.
All of which adds up to a difficult time for the construction industry as many businesses are torn on the best course of action for moral, financial, and socially responsible reasons.
Where do you stand? Let us know your thoughts at
editor@pal-media.co.uk, or on Twitter.
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