RICS response to immigration skills white paper

The built environment plays a pivotal role in the UK economy, and the movement of skilled professionals is integral to its efficient and effective operation.

In 2017, data from our construction survey indicated that 8% of the workforce could be lost due to Brexit, and evidence received from respondents to RICS' quarterly construction and infrastructure market surveys regularly cites labour shortages as an issue impeding growth. Whilst the proposed points system could allow UK access for skilled construction professionals, the £30,000 salary cap could inhibit migration of talented international property professionals who have just started their professional vocation.

While the domestic skills base is growing, as the industry's professional body we are working with Government and industry to develop that skills base. Our surveys, however, reveal that more work needs to be done, and in the interim we need a solution to be able to build the infrastructure we need and increase the housing supply pipeline. Given, also, the impending retirement cliff edge, the UK can't solely rely on talent from abroad, and we have called on Government, and sector employers, to pay attention to home-grown talent; encouraging entrants from more diverse backgrounds and minority groups.

In addition to leniency for construction professionals in the future immigration framework, we would urge the Government to focus further and work with industry on the domestic pipeline of the construction workforce.