Construction Industry: Retention Payments Debate
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Baroness Wheatcroft
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Construction Industry: Retention Payments
Baroness Wheatcroft Excerpts(3 years, 3 months ago)
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Lord Callanan (Con)
That is indeed one of the policy suggestions we are looking at, but given the complexity of the policy issues, it is premature to commit to the introduction of a retention deposit scheme. We will continue to seek consensus and work with industry to find a way forward.
Baroness Wheatcroft (CB) [V]
Can the Minister estimate the construction payments retained by the public sector, specifying the extent of the payments to Carillion retained by the Government? Given that there were only 55 responses to a consultation that concluded in February 2018, why did it take two years to publish those findings on what he terms an “important matter”?
Lord Callanan (Con)
I do not have figures for the public sector, but not withholding retentions is government policy—although I am aware that some departments and agencies do. Unfortunately, we do not have the power to instruct local authorities in this matter. If there are any figures available, I will of course let her have them.