Geoff White, RICS Head of Policy has commented on the announcement by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark of a new construction sector deal which will see government and industry working together to support, invest and transform the construction sector.
Geoff said: “The new construction sector deal announced today is a major step forward for the country. It is the first such deal under the proposed Industrial Strategy and will see government and industry working together to support, invest and transform the sector, addressing key issues.
“RICS believes that one of the most important issues to tackle under the new sector deal will be ensuring that construction has enough skilled workers to fulfil the Government’s plans to improve the UK’s housing, infrastructure and economic productivity. RICS market surveys have raised concerns over shortages holding back progress and driving up costs. Under a sector deal, it is hoped that a strong industry and government partnership can work to keep vital workers in the country and attract new talent into the trades and professions we need.”
Ann Bentley FRICS, Global Director of Rider Levett Bucknall and a member of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) added: “A key strand of the deal is ‘Procure for Better Value’ which will build a critical mass of clients and advisors equipped to use outcome-based procurement. This will drive efficiency in programme delivery and ongoing functional performance over the lifetime of an asset.”
The CLC is convening a cross-industry working group, of which RICS will be major participant, to progress this new standard. The working group will also include representation from leading project management and quantity surveying practices. The standard will define the value of procurement in the widest sense, including whole-life and social value considerations. It will also drive the adoption of common standards and allow the measurement of best practice. The first stage will be to produce a universal methodology for procurement and to promote common and consistent standards across industry.
