The British government announced on Saturday a £600 million investment aimed at addressing severe construction skills shortages that threaten its ambitious plan to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029 and drive economic growth.
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves emphasized that housebuilding and the enhancement of critical infrastructure form key components of the Labour government's growth strategy. "We are determined to get Britain building again," Reeves said in an emailed statement from the Treasury, highlighting that the initiative will address long-standing issues, including an outdated planning system and the dearth of skilled construction workers.
The push for more robust training comes as the industry grapples with a growing vacancy crisis. Official figures revealed that there were 38,000 unfilled construction roles in the three months leading up to February—a situation exacerbated by the fallout from the 2016 Brexit vote and the subsequent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the Construction Products Association has warned that the sector is set to lose around 500,000 employees, or 25% of its workforce, to retirement over the next 10 to 15 years.
To tackle these challenges, the government plans to allocate £165 million to expand construction courses at colleges and £100 million to upskill new, existing, and returning workers. Additionally, the Construction Industry Training Board will contribute £32 million to fund over 40,000 industry placements annually over the next four years. Collectively, these measures are expected to train up to 60,000 bricklayers, electricians, engineers, and carpenters by 2029.
Reeves also hinted at forthcoming fiscal measures to align with the government's fiscal rules, with a spring statement expected next Wednesday that will include new economic and public finance forecasts from Britain's fiscal watchdog.
As the UK endeavors to overcome its construction skills crunch, the government’s targeted investment reflects a broader strategy to stimulate growth and ensure the country meets its critical infrastructure and housing targets.
Two teenage gunmen opened fire on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, killing a security guard ...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peac...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had paused a planned attack on Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington. He said th...
At least four people have been killed in protests across Kenya over sharp fuel price rises, as a nationwide transport strike brought parts of the c...
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to secu...
After Labour's devastating performance in the 8 May local elections, the party's internal architecture has cracked open with remarkable speed.
Britain will introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening ties with the European Union as Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to rebuild economic relations with the bloc while facing growing political pressure at home.
British pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, seeking at least $15 million in damages over allegations that her image was used without permission to promote television sets.
The public health challenge linked to the emergence of a rare strain of hantavirus is complex, according to pharmacist and health commentator Thorrun Govind. She told AnewZ's Daybreak the situation was complicated by the number of nationalities involved and the need to safely return the passengers.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
Government bond markets from Tokyo to New York extended losses on Monday (18 May) as rising energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict heightened inflation concerns and reinforced expectations that major central banks could keep interest rates higher for longer.
Negotiations between Samsung Electronics and its workforce on Wednesday have broken down, officials said, raising fresh concerns over potential disruption to South Korea’s export-heavy economy.
By the time American shoppers began noticing higher prices on everything from trainers to televisions, the world's two largest economies were already deep in a trade war that left the world wondering how it would end.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital maritime chokepoint and serves as the primary artery linking the Persian Gulf to international energy markets. With approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments transiting this waterway, it is the backbone of energy security for Asia, Europe, and beyond.
China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies amid fears that the conflict involving Iran could drive up global energy and transport costs.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment