THE Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) is urging members and organisations in the wider construction industry to consider contingency planning for a potential no deal Brexit.
With the UK due to leave the EU on March 29 and no agreement having yet been secured, the CPA said firms should be aware of potential delays in the supply chain and assist and guide EU staff accordingly.
Kevin Minton, chief executive of the CPA said, “The prospect of a no deal Brexit remains real and we urge our members to consider contingency planning and risk assessment around the impact this could potentially have. Companies need to be aware of where they fit in the construction supply chains they operate in and a no deal Brexit could mean potential delays in work if supplies being imported from the EU are held up by customs checks. This will, in turn, impact on work schedules and project delivery in both the short and medium term.
“In such a period of uncertainty, open dialogue and communication are absolutely critical at all levels of projects between contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and clients in order to identify potential delays and issues that might not be immediately obvious. A no deal Brexit might impact on companies in many unexpected ways and only by being open with each other can these issues be identified and overcome.”
Kevin added that the ability to access skilled EU workers after Brexit is vital for construction. “With well documented skills shortages being felt across the construction industry, we cannot ignore the impact leaving the EU may well have on the availability of labour,” he explained. “Companies should take every step to ensure their EU staff are aware of the steps they need to take to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme for both themselves and their families.”
