The shortage of workers in Britain is significantly impacting construction and engineering firms, according to a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The latest quarterly recruitment survey revealed that 82% of these businesses are struggling to find workers, a sharp increase from 69% earlier this year.
This trend is mirrored in other sectors, with nearly 80% of transport and logistics firms, as well as production and manufacturing companies, also reporting recruitment difficulties.
Jane Gratton, the BCC’s public policy director, expressed concern over the widespread nature of these challenges, noting a particularly alarming rise in recruitment issues within the construction industry. This situation poses a substantial obstacle to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plans to ramp up home-building and infrastructure projects, which are key elements of his economic agenda.
Labour Shortage Grips UK Construction and Engineering Sectors: BCC Survey
Starmer has pledged to streamline Britain’s planning system to facilitate increased construction and infrastructure investment. However, his commitment to reducing net migration, despite calls from business leaders to reconsider due to its potential exacerbation of hiring problems, adds another layer of complexity to the issue.
The survey, based on responses from 4,761 firms, predominantly small and medium-sized businesses, highlights a growing urgency for effective policy responses to address the labor shortage across various sectors.
The data, collected between mid-May and mid-June, underscores the pressing need for strategic measures to support workforce availability and sustain economic growth amidst challenging recruitment conditions.
