Briefing: EU builders face exodus

Brexit is expected to lead to further falls in the number of overseas construction workers in the UK – a shortage the country cannot afford

The number of construction workers in the UK is set to drop in the event of a Brexit – hard or soft. Arcadis predicts the shortfall could be as high as 214,000 (eqiuvalent to a town the size of Luton) over five years as EU workers leaving each job go unreplaced. The forecast adds to the challenges in an industry already facing a ‘ticking timebomb’ shortfall of workers highlighted in the Farmer Review.

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