Supply chain risk management and contractor assessment services provider, Veriforce CHAS, has voiced its support for the new government's plans to expedite the UK’s planning system and boost construction efforts. However, with a rise in construction related fatalities in recent years, CHAS is emphasising that health and safety must remain the utmost priority as the UK scales up its building capacity.

The government’s planning reforms, which include a pledge to build some 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, necessitate a significant increase in construction labour. With the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive revealing a rise in construction-related fatalities (there were 51 fatalities in 2023/24, up 42% from the average of the last 4 years) CHAS is stressing the crucial need for the construction industry to ensure that subcontractors are not only available but also adequately qualified for new projects.

Labour shortages are a perennial issue in the construction industry. However, data from the Office for National Statistics shows a 19% increase in the number of new construction businesses registered between 2017 and 2022, with 374,332 firms now operating in the construction industry across the UK.

CHAS managing director, Ian McKinnon, comments: “At Veriforce CHAS, we welcome the new government's commitment to revitalising Britain's construction sector and the employment opportunities it promises to create. However, it is crucial to prioritise health and safety throughout this process, especially in light of recent HSE statistics showing a concerning rise in construction-related fatalities.

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