The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland and Chartered Institute of Building have called for a gradual reopening of non-essential building sites as soon as possible.
The bodies, which represent more than 13,000 skilled and trainee construction and property professionals in Scotland, made the request in a letter to Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning.
The move marks a significant break from the quiet acceptance of the economic shutdown across all industries. The RICS, CIOB and RIAS tell Stewart that projects are at risk of being cancelled and a long-term skills shortage created as workers are diverted from the sector.
All non-critical building projects have been put on hold at the orders of the Scottish Government, while south of the border the UK Government has not taken a definite stance. Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey, Vistry and Persimmon this week said they would be returning to work at some sites.
Signed by John Edwards, Chair of RICS in Scotland, Gareth Williams, Chair of CIOB Glasgow Hub, and Robin Webster OBE PRIAS, President of RIAS, the letter says: “One of the biggest impacts of closed construction sites is that we are finding contractors and supply chains are now engaging in a comprehensive furlough of staff to the point that a state of paralysis is setting into the construction industry.
“Many projects are in jeopardy, even at pre-construction phase, because the supply chain cannot submit quotes and prices. Any delay in project planning and procurement will cause projects to be cancelled, and it could prolong the recovery."
The three bodies insist that the construction industry is capable of policing itself to meet the health and safety requirements of Covid-19, including additional HSE enforcement.
The RICS, RIAS and CIOB also call on the Scottish Government to introduce:
- A VAT rebate fund for home repair and maintenance, and energy efficiency improvement measures, with parity between new build and existing properties
- The prioritisation of preconstruction design and specification work leading to tenders, ensuring there is a flow of activity into the construction industry
- The instruction of appropriate building surveys/condition inspections now of publicly owned vacant buildings, such as schools, colleges, museums and libraries
- An initiative to encourage a large-scale public sector programme of maintenance works that will assist cashflow for SMEs, supporting the supply chain and retaining skills.
- The maintenance of public sector pre-design and development work to ensure design professionals are able to support future public sector development programmes
- Having the Scottish National Investment Bank provide guarantees of bank lending, acting as a longer-term post-pandemic CBILS, that will encourage investment in Scotland’s infrastructure programme
