London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026

"2020s

"2020s

The construction industry in the United Kingdom has been facing a significant shortage of skilled workers due to the exodus of workers from the sector following the financial crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shortage has been particularly acute in the wake of Brexit, which led to a reduction in the number of workers from the European Union entering the country.

To address this issue, the Home Office has announced that bricklayers, plasterers, roofers, and carpenters have been added to the shortage occupation list (SOL), which allows employers to recruit staff from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) if they cannot find suitable candidates within the EEA.

The move by the Home Office is a response to the recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee, which advises the government on immigration policy.

By adding these skilled construction workers to the SOL, the government is acknowledging the difficulty that the industry is facing in recruiting the necessary workforce.

This move will help to ease the recruitment difficulties faced by the industry, especially housebuilders, who have been struggling to find the necessary skilled labor.

The construction industry has been experiencing a significant shortage of workers, with the Office for National Statistics reporting that the industry had lost more than a third of its EU-born workforce since 2017.

With the industry facing a significant shortfall in workers, the easing of immigration rules will be welcomed by many in the sector.

However, the decision is not without controversy, with some arguing that it could lead to a reduction in the number of domestic workers in the sector.

The National Federation of Builders has welcomed the government's decision to add these skilled construction workers to the SOL, stating that foreign workers are vital to make up for the shortfall in the UK construction workforce.

However, the group also called for more training support, explaining that it takes up to three years to conclude many apprenticeships.

This highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the skills shortage in the sector, including a focus on training and apprenticeships.

The construction industry is a crucial sector of the UK economy, and its success is vital for the government's target of building 300,000 new homes annually by the middle of the
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Universities and Industry Expand Space and Defense Research Partnerships
House of Lords Approves Social Housing Bill Amendments on Shared Ownership Rights
House of Lords Advances Civil Aviation Bill With New Passenger Protection Measures
UK Government Suspends Tariffs on Fertilizer and Food Imports to Reduce Costs
Russell Group Universities Support New UK Business Department Focused on Innovation
UK Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Transport Barriers Facing Young Jobseekers
Home Builders Federation Calls for Lower Costs as New UK Government Sets Housing Priorities
Andy Burnham Meets UK Devolved Leaders to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
Andy Burnham Holds First International Calls With Trump, Macron, and Zelenskyy
Andy Burnham Reshuffles Cabinet With John Healey Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer
Andy Burnham Government Removes VAT From Electricity Bills to Cut Household Costs
Andy Burnham Becomes United Kingdom Prime Minister After Sir Keir Starmer Resigns
Miliband Sets Climate and International Law at Centre of UK Diplomacy
US Gasoline Returns to $4 as Renewed Iran Fighting Disrupts Oil Flows
Czech Central Bank Governor Rejects Early Euro Entry and Rate-Cut Pressure
Trump Orders 50% Tariffs on Selected Canadian Imports
Pentagon Discloses Nearly 100 US Troop Injuries During Renewed Iran Fighting
Trump Readies New Tariffs as Temporary Global Levy Nears Expiry
US Judge Pauses Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery Merger Over Antitrust Concerns
NHS England Faces Growing Retention Pressure Among Younger Midwives
UK Data Centre Expansion Faces Water and Grid Capacity Challenges
UK Defence Shares Rise After John Healey Appointment and Continued Spending Commitments
OECD Urges UK Government to Review Pension Triple Lock to Protect Public Finances
Bank of England Keeps Cautious Approach as Energy Costs Threaten Inflation Progress
County Councils Call for Wider Devolution and Long-Term Social Care Funding Reform
IMF Urges UK Government to Maintain Fiscal Discipline as Growth Forecast Slows
Russian Warship Holds Live-Fire Exercises Near UK Coast as Royal Navy Monitors Activity
Mitie Agrees Three Point One Billion Pound Takeover by OCS in Another Blow to London Listings
JPMorgan Chase Warns Bank Levies Could Hit UK Growth and Drive Capital Away
UK Unemployment Holds at Four Point Nine Percent as Labour Market Shows Resilience
UK Government Borrowing Falls Below Forecasts as Treasury Receives Early Fiscal Boost
John Healey Cuts VAT on Household Electricity Bills After Cancelling National Digital ID Scheme
Andy Burnham Forms New Labour Government With Ten-Year National Renewal Plan
EU Imposes Record €550 Million Digital Services Fine on AliExpress
UK Publishes Updated Consumption-Based Carbon Emissions Data
English Regions Prepare for Expanded Devolution and Infrastructure Powers
Russell Group Backs New Government and Calls for Stronger University-Industry Links
Bank of England Maintains Restrictive Monetary Policy Amid Persistent Inflation
Climate Progress Report Renews Debate Over the UK's Net Zero Strategy
New UK Government Launches Drive to End Rough Sleeping and Expand Social Housing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Appoints John Healey as Chancellor in Cabinet Reshuffle
OECD Calls for Structural Reforms as UK Economy Faces Slower Growth
International Monetary Fund Expects UK Economic Growth to Slow to One Percent in 2026
Andy Burnham Takes Office as UK Prime Minister and Unveils Decade-Long Reform Agenda
London’s Housing Starts Collapse as Planning and Building Costs Stall Development
Charlie Sheen’s Daughter: "My Dad Didn’t Buy Me a House, My Breasts Bought It"
Vivienne Westwood Casts Cicciolina, 74, in Its New Autumn Campaign
Dejavu: Germany’s Military Expansion Reshapes Europe’s Strategic Balance With France
Naturally Conceived Identical Quadruplets Born in Rare Brisbane Delivery
Tate Brothers Fight British Extradition Bid After Miami Arrests
×