Construction sector needs targeted support to stop ‘tidal wave’ of job losses

Targeted support for the construction sector, including incorporating construction workers into a Scottish Jobs Guarantee Scheme, is needed to prevent a “tidal wave” of job losses in the sector, the Scottish Government has been warned.

More than 164,000 people in Scotland are employed in the construction industry and the sector has the second highest uptake of the UK furlough scheme, at 73 per cent of all jobs.

A draft recovery plan for the sector was launched last week by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum, setting out a pathway for action in response to the impact of Covid-19, while the Scottish Government has said its £30m capital funding for regeneration will stimulate construction across Scotland.

However Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said more was needed. “With the furlough scheme coming to an end, we simply cannot allow so many construction workers to be made redundant. These are vital skilled jobs that will be incredibly important in the projects and infrastructure development that is needed for Scotland to recover from this crisis,” he said. “The Scottish Government must also implement targeted support for the construction sector.”