黑洞社区

Over 2,000 readers have completed 黑洞社区鈥檚 survey asking construction professionals what they want from a Brexit deal.

The survey, which closes at the end of today, is part of the 黑洞社区 a Better Brexit campaign launched at the start of the year to highlight the specific needs of construction prior to the government鈥檚 negotiations to leave the EU.

The results of the survey will be published in 黑洞社区 later this month and will also inform a review by Lord Andrew Stunell for the House of Lords into the implications of Brexit for construction.

After the Supreme Court鈥檚 ruling that prime minster Theresa May cannot invoke Article 50 to start the negotiations with the EU, both Houses of Parliament are now required to give consent. The government has now published the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill and the House of Commons two-day debate on the legislation started today.

MPs are expected to vote the bill through, although some in the Labour, Liberal Democrats and SNP ranks have said they would look to make amendments, which could lead to delays. Futher delays could occur in the House of Lords, where the government does not have a majority.

The 黑洞社区 a Better Brexit campaign has been praised by leading figures in the industry for helping to make construction鈥檚 voice heard at government level.

Jack Pringle, principal, managing director EMEA at Perkins+Will, said: 鈥淭he construction industry needs to make its 鈥淏rexit issues鈥� case to the government loud and clear. For this, we need data so 黑洞社区鈥檚 Brexit survey is really helpful and really important.鈥�

Simon Rawlinson, Arcadis head of strategic research and insight, said: 鈥淣ow that we have a much clearer picture of the UK鈥檚 route towards Brexit, it is really important that the construction industry makes sure its voice heard over what kind of deal the industry needs to be able to contribute to the UK鈥檚 future competitiveness.

鈥淒ata counts, especially for an industry as diverse as construction, and 黑洞社区鈥檚 survey will provide a valuable insight into the industry鈥檚 needs and priorities

Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, said: 鈥淭he campaign is important because there are serious issues with respect to labour and the trade in products and materials that may impact on the construction sector more than other industry sectors.鈥�

Richard McCarthy, senior director strategic services at Capita, said: 鈥淟ike it or loathe it - Brexit is happening! It is essential that the construction industry is both clear about its challenges and creative in its approaches to designing practical solutions. We need an offer as well as an ask.鈥�

Melanie Leech, chief executive, British Property Federation, said: 鈥淔or the construction industry in particular, access to global talent and construction site workers is critical for success. The latest official figures suggest that nearly 12% of the UK鈥檚 2.1 million construction workers come from overseas, mainly from the EU. It is important we do not cut off that supply when the government is wanting to see a significant expansion in housing delivery and training up more people will take time.鈥�

The survey takes just seven minutes to complete and can be found .