Scottish sites can reopen ‘if they work with trade unions’

Source - Construction News

Scotland will begin a process to reopen construction sites from next week (28 May).

Plans unveiled by first minister Nicola Sturgeon set out a series of four phases for easing the lockdown. Speaking to the Scottish Assembly in Edinburgh, Sturgeon warned that the reopening of sites could only take place in partnership with trade unions, based on a plan the government had developed with the industry.

“The construction industry will be able to carefully implement steps one and two of its six step restart plan which it has developed with us. However, let me be clear there must be genuine partnership with trade unions, this can only be done if it is done safely,” Sturgeon told Scottish Assembly members.

Restrictions on construction sites in Scotland have been more stringent than the rest of the UK since coronavirus legislation began. Non-essential construction work is currently banned in Scotland. When British prime minister Boris Johnson last week urged construction sites to resume work, Sturgeon said he should emphasise this was just in England.

From next week (28 May) the construction sector can start planning a return to work based on the plan agreed “only after consulting with government to ensure it is safe to do so in line with public health advice”.

Details of the industry plan are not available on the main route map published by the Scottish Government and CN could not access the government’s website, which crashed shortly after Nicola Sturgeon began speaking.

Scottish housebuilders had previously sent a letter to first minister Nicola Sturgeon requesting a phased return to work.

Since lockdown began, Construction News has reported on two Scottish firms who have fallen into administration due to cashflow issues made worse by coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The firms included £36m-turnover Central Building Contractors.