NFB: EU workers make a crucial contribution to UK construction

The Home Affairs Committee (HAC) has called on the Government to confirm in primary legislation the rights of EU citizens after the UK leaves the EU.
In March 2019, the Government launched the EU Settlement Scheme to help establish the immigration status of EU citizens legally residing in the UK. People who apply through the scheme are granted ‘settled status’. If they have been living in the UK for more than 5 years, permanent resident status is granted.
People who have lived in the UK for less than 5 years receive ‘pre-settled status’, allowing them to apply for ‘settled status’ once they reach 5 years of residence.
In a report published on 30 May 2019, the HAC is concerned that, due to the complicated nature of a predominantly online-based process and low public awareness of the scheme, a sizeable number of EU citizens may face doubts about their future immigration status because they have failed to apply through the EU Settlement Scheme.
At a time when Britain faces the most acute housing crisis since the 1940s, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) supports the calls to enshrine into law the rights of EU citizens, who make a crucial contribution to the UK’s construction industry. Concerns remain that many skilled construction workers may not have the language or technical skills to wade through the different phases of the EU Settlement Scheme.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “If we are to build the 800 homes a day we need to meet demand, the 164,000 EU citizens working in construction should have an absolute certainty that their rights are protected. We support proposals to deliver this via primary legislation and once again call on the Government to make resources such as translators available to discuss applications with caseworkers on construction workers’ behalf.”

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Letting Agent Talk

How to Transition from a Fixed-Term Tenancy to a Periodic Tenancy

Transitioning from a fixed-term tenancy to a periodic tenancy is a common occurrence in the UK rental market. It offers flexibility and convenience for both landlords and tenants by continuing the rental agreement on a rolling basis once the fixed term ends. Whether you’re a landlord managing a property or a tenant seeking clarity, Martin…
Read More
Breaking News

Housing sales end 2024 on a high, but buyers more cautious about how much to pay for homes as mortgage rates drift higher

Buyers and sellers returned to the market over 2024 building a sales pipeline 30 per cent larger than a year ago with 283,000 homes worth £104bn progressing to a sale in 2025. This is the largest end of year total value for four years. House prices have returned to growth with the average house price…
Read More
Breaking News

£21 million to live on UK’s most expensive street

· Knightsbridge in London now the priciest UK street · The UK’s 10 most expensive streets all in the capital, with an average price tag of £16.5 million · East Road in Weybridge the most expensive address outside of London · Priciest UK properties are 60 times more than a typical home Lloyds has revealed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 20/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Why estate and letting agents must embrace innovative technology in 2025   As we step into 2025, the UK property market continues to shift, and estate agents face mounting pressure to meet the evolving expectations of buyers and sellers. The days when static images sufficed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 19/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   High street Auctions’ initiative launches to revive Britain’s town centres   This month the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Moving Up In The World: Finding Your Dream Home

Finding your dream home is one of life’s most exciting and transformative experiences. Whether you’re looking to upsize, relocate, or finally purchase that ideal property you’ve always envisioned, the journey is both thrilling and filled with important decisions. As you embark on this path, it’s essential to plan carefully, consider your priorities, and approach the…
Read More