MPs call for new post of chief construction officer

MPs have criticised the government for the fragmented way in which construction policy is overseen and called for the post of chief construction officer to be created as a “single point of engagement” with the industry.

The committee of MPs also said that the government needs to become a better construction client in order to strengthen the industry and improve efficiency.

In a report out today, the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform select committee published a set of recommendations designed to “set the industry on the right footing” to tackle the challenges ahead.

The committee criticised the government for the fragmented way in which construction policy is overseen and called for the post of chief construction officer to act as a “single point of engagement” with the industry.

The report, Construction Matters, follows a long investigation by the committee, during which they took evidence from bodies including the Federation of Master Builders and the Construction Products Association.

Its wide-ranging recommendations included strengthening the Office of Government Commerce so that it could implement best practice across the public sector and ensuring all departments sign up to the Construction Clients’ Charter within the next two years.

The report also urged the industry to invest more in apprenticeships and called on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to divert more resources into inspections.

The government is expected to respond to the report by mid-October.