Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any increase in labour costs as a result of shortages of skilled workers in their cost predictions for the construction of large-scale infrastructure projects.

On 1 January 2021, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. The Government has introduced greater flexibility for businesses and migrants, while supporting the economic need of the country. A Skilled Worker visa route is open to all nationals who wish to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. A range of skilled occupations in construction are included in the list of eligible occupations.

The Government is supporting the construction sector in its drive to increase investment in skills development, and to equip workers with the skills that they will need for the future. On 1 June 2020, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Industry Recovery Plan. Employment and skills in the construction sector are identified as a priority, and a focus of the ‘Restart’ phase of the Plan is to maximise employment opportunities.

The Government has welcomed the Plan and is collaborating with the CLC and industry to ensure that the proposals are implemented.

The Government has been making strong progress against the ambition to build at least 1 million new homes in England by the end of this Parliament. Last year alone, around 244,000 homes were delivered – the highest number of new homes for over 30 years, and the seventh consecutive year that net supply has increased.

We have not assessed the specific issues set out in these questions.