As a supporter in principle of the proposal to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for the UK construction industry, we are writing to update you on a few things. Since launching the research report ‘Licence to build’ in July 2018, the FMB has been busy speaking to organisations across the sector to discuss the proposal. We have been pleasantly surprised by the level of interest in, and support for, licensing – not only from policymakers and consumer groups but from the industry itself.
We are delighted to confirm that we now have more than 30 organisations signed up as supporters in principle and they are:
1) Aspire Business Partnership LLP
2) Association for Consultancy and Engineering
3) Association for Project Safety
4) British Board of Agrément
5) Building Alliance
6) Building Engineering Services Association
7) Certsure
8) Chartered Institute of Building
9) Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
10) Considerate Constructors Scheme
11) Construction Products Association
12) Federation of Master Builders
13) FENSA
14) GIC Capital
15) Glass and Glazing Federation
16) Hays Recruitment
17) HIES
18) HomeOwners Alliance
19) Industry Forum
20) Insulation Manufacturers Association
21) Local Authority Building Control
22) Local Authority Building Standards Scotland
23) National Federation of Roofing Contractors
24) National Home Improvement Council
25) Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland
26) RetrofitWorks
27) Ridgeway
28) Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
29) Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
30) Scaffolding Association
31) TrustMark
32) Welsh Conservative Assembly Group
33) Westminster Sustainable Business Forum
Supporters’ logo
We have developed the attached logo for supporters of the licensing proposal to use as they see fit. For example, you might wish to use it in your email signatures, letter heads and on social media (please use the hashtag #licencetobuild). Hopefully, the attached range of logo formats covers all bases but let us know if not.
Website
We are developing a new independent website that will act as the ‘shop window’ for the licensing proposal – see here: http://licenceukconstruction.co.uk/. Note, a warning message may appear when you click on the link but that’s because the website hasn’t yet been officially published. It is completely safe to view. Also, as the website is still under development, please don’t share more widely. However, it would be good to hear your feedback on the draft.
Briefing paper
We have drafted the attached briefing paper that we thought you might find useful. Feel free to share this with colleagues and members – or lift some of the key messages for use in your own brief papers for policy makers and the media.
Licensing Task Force
The Licensing Task Force is aiming to meet by the end of March this year – the members are TBC. We are currently in discussion with a potential chair and once this person has been confirmed, invitations to join the Task Force will be issued. Not every supporter can sit on the Task Force as it will become too unwieldy but there will be opportunities for everyone to get involved in its working groups. The Terms of Reference for the Task Force will be agreed at its first meeting but the current thinking is that it should focus on fleshing out key elements for how a licensing scheme might work in practice, including funding, standards and enforcement. The Task Force will most likely be supported by a number of sub-groups leading on each particular element.
Next steps
The Government has agreed to formally consult on the introduction of a licensing scheme once the Task Force has developed a more detailed model. If there is enough industry support, this will then be brought forward as a Bill before (hopefully!) becoming an Act of Parliament. Realistically, the timeline for this piece of work is roughly 3-5 years but there’s every reason to believe that our ultimate goal can eventually be achieved.