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Press Release

Published: August 27, 2021

In response to the Longitudinal Small Business Survey (LSBS), conducted between September 2020 and April 2021, the Scaffolding Association has indicated that the impact of the pandemic on SME employers can clearly be seen throughout the report.

33% of SME employers reported lower levels of employment than a year ago, and for the first time since 2010 this figure was higher than the proportion that reported an increase in the number employed (27%).

Construction businesses reported the highest level of concern from all sectors surveyed in relation to staff recruitment and skills (39%) – a nine percentage point decrease on 2019. The industry continues to view late payment as a significant challenge (32%).

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said “The issues highlighted by SME businesses in the construction sector are not surprising with access to labour and late payment having been long standing issues within the industry.

Covid, the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU raising costs and increasing lead times, labour shortages and late payment are all contributing to a perfect storm and SME construction businesses now face significant challenges to overcome these”.

The LSBS is produced from a telephone survey of UK businesses in the private sector with fewer than 250 employees.

Notes for editors

The Scaffolding Association is the UK’s largest dedicated trade association representing the Scaffolding and Access industry.

The construction sector employs 2.7millon people, contributes over £100bn to the UK economy which is 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Press Contact: Chris Seaton – [email protected] or 07979 531464