Construction sector heavyweights back 'Aldous Bill'

15 March 2018 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal

 

Industry is uniting behind Peter Aldous MP's efforts to reform damaging payment practices and abuse in the construction industry.

 

In the wake of the Carillion collapse an industry coalition of more than 60 construction and maintenance trade bodies now backs the 'Aldous Bill', a private member's bill proposing that cash retentions owed to the supply chain be held in trust.

 

By far the largest industry coalition ever formed on the issue of late and unfair payment, it comes amid growing support and clear industry appetite for reform. There is also growing political support for the bill from in the Commons and the Lords.

 

Support covers a broad cross-section of the entire supply chain, including electrical, plumbing, heating, interiors, housebuilding, roofing, scaffolding and demolition. Major trade bodies in support include the Federation of Master Builders and the Federation of Small Businesses (see below for a complete list.)

 

ECA director of business Paul Reeve said: "Quite simply, the time for major change to retentions is now. Putting retentions in trust would help to protect the supply chain from future upstream insolvency, and it would reduce the amount held in retentions when buyers see that they can no longer use suppliers' cash to support their own business model."

 

BESA public affairs & policy manager Alexi Ozioro said: "Levels of support for the bill are very encouraging, and this is a real opportunity for government to show it can respond to urgent developments and legislate on more than just Brexit. It will take months, maybe years, to feel the full effect of Carillion, and what this bill will do is make sure thousands of people can enjoy a more secure future."

 

Peter Aldous has said: "This coalition of support shows the urgent need for reform and unity of industry following Carillion. Support covers so much of the industry that we now have a golden opportunity to change construction for the better. I hope government gets behind industry and this bill. We need action to protect SMEs before more millions are lost, and this bill is about ensuring people's money is safe so businesses can grow and invest in their future."

 

Awareness of the bill and support for Peter Aldous are being coordinated by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA. Carillion collapsing, six days after the bill's first reading, has pushed payment abuse high up the political agenda. The bill seeks to ensure that payment retentions are protected in special ring-fenced deposit schemes to minimise damage to the supply chain in the event of insolvencies.

 

The second reading of the bill is Friday 27 April.

 

1. Supporting industry organisations (64):
2. 
   
3. Apprenticeships 4 England (App4Eng)
4. Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA)
5. Association of Brickwork Contractors
6. Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services (ADCAS)
7. Association of Fencing Industries
8. Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS)
9. Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE)
10. Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
11. British Blind & Shutter Association
12. British Board of Agrément
13. British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA)
14. British Drilling Association (BDA)
15. British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA)
16. British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA)
17. British Property Federation
18. British Refrigeration Association (BRA)
19. British Woodworking Federation
20. Builders Merchants' Federation (BMF)
21. Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA)
22. Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)
23. Building Engineering Services Competent Assessment (BESCA)
24. Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
25. Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
26. Confederation of Construction Specialists
27. Confederation of Roofing Contractors
28. Contract Flooring Association
29. Drilling and Sawing Association
30. Electrical Contractors Association (ECA)
31. Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland (SELECT)
32. Fan Manufacturers' Association
33. Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA)
34. Federation of Master Builders (FMB)
35. Federation of Small Business (FSB)
36. Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC)
37. Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS)
38. Fire & Security Association (FSA)
39. Glass & Glazing Federation
40. Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA)
41. Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
42. Heat Pump Association (HPA)
43. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Association (HEVAC)
44. House Builders Federation (HBF)
45. Institute of Clerks of Works of Great Britain
46. International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)
47. Kitchen Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA)
48. Lead Contractors Association
49. Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA)
50. Local Authority Building Control (LABC)
51. Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA)
52. National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC)
53. National Association of Shopfitters
54. National Federation of Builders
55. National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC)
56. National Federation of Roofing Contractors
57. Painting & Decorating Association
58. Process Innovation Forum (PIF)
59. Property Care Association
60. Roofing Industry Alliance
61. Scaffolding Association
62. Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF)
63. Specialist Engineering Contractor's Group (SEC Group)
64. Stone Federation of Great Britain
65. Structural Timber Association
66. Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA)
67.