In the wake of the recent general election, the Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is calling on the UK government to act swiftly to reassure the status of EU construction workers of their permanent right to residence and work within the UK post-Brexit.

The trade body’s plea follows concerns by members that any failure to immediately reassure the status of current EU construction workers risks the possibility of a labour exodus and with it a sudden shortfall in the availability of professional, skilled and semi-skilled workers, required to undertake current and projected large-scale infrastructure projects.

Alasdair Henderson, chair of the FPS, said: “There are very real concerns within the specialist contractor sector, as well as the wider construction industry, that uncertainty over EU workers’ right to work and residency within the UK may lead to a sudden scarcity of much-needed labour and skills.

“In a sector already suffering from a recognised shortage of skills, skilled professional workers from the EU not only addresses this, but are also critical to ensuring the government’s own construction plans (£500bn infrastructure pipeline) marked as essential for UK economic stability and growth, are not put in jeopardy.”

There are an estimated 175,000 EU workers, or approximately 8% of the construction workforce currently employed in UK construction, although the percentage is estimated as much higher for the specialist contractor sector, where cross-border mobility of skills is greater.

Alasdair added: “UK construction has always relied on non-UK workers, not only to fill temporary shortages when demand is high, but to provide valuable educational, technical and cultural diversity, all of which drive innovation and encourage young people to consider the sector as a career option.

“Giving EU construction workers the continued right to work and reside within the UK will provide welcome reassurance to the UK construction industry, a sector already being battered by various levies and increased bureaucracy. It will also create an environment of certainty that will allow construction companies to invest, train and recruit locally too – all benefits to any post-Brexit economy.”