Scottish Budget Bill Will Not Help Construction Workers

Construction union UCATT are disappointed that the Scottish Budget Bill expected to be passed today will not address mounting challenges facing the construction industry. Without greater construction investment the industry could take suffer a substantial further dip resulting in more job losses.

The construction industry in Scotland, which accounts for over 200,000 workers, has seen a reduction in output of over 12% and thousands of job losses throughout the past year.  UCATT argue that it is vital that the Scottish Government prioritise investment in capital building projects to re-energise a failing construction industry economy.

UCATT supported accelerated capital spending in 2009-10, but see the cancellation of a major capital project like the Glasgow Airport Rail Link as a major a blow to construction workers and are worried about the future spending in the industry in the latest financial settlement.

Harry Frew, Scottish Secretary of UCATT said:“Workers in the construction industry across Scotland have suffered greatly throughout 2009 and into 2010. Our members are faced with the impact of redundancies, lay offs and short time working that have resulted in major pressures on construction workers and their families. It’s critical that the Scottish Government prioritise investment in construction industry projects to get thousands back to work. 

UCATT is concerned about the ability of Scottish Futures Trust to deliver capital projects and is deeply worried by the cut of £253 million in the affordable housing budget at a time when the level of homelessness in Scotland is increasing with over 40,000 registered homeless across Scotland 

Mr Frew added “Until now, we have no evidence that the Scottish Futures Trust will deliver necessary means of private capital to finance major projects that are vital to help stabilise the construction industry workforce.  In addition the affordable housing budget is being cut, and we are concerned about the impact this will have on the new build housing required to address high levels of demand.”

Industry figures available highlight that the number of Scottish construction industry apprentices has dropped markedly during the recession, with 25% of apprentices being lost to the industry. 

Mr Frew further added: “The knock on effect from the economic slump in construction is being seen across skills and training.  The intake of construction industry apprentices has dropped markedly, with some 900 apprentices laid off despite welcome government incentive schemes for employers to keep apprentices.”

For Further information contact Harry Frew on 01414202880

UCATT represents 125,000 members employed in the construction industry throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland