The House of Lords will tomorrow, Wednesday 12th December, debate
the Science and Technology Committee’s report “Off-site
manufacture for construction: building for change.
Among those listed to speak are several members of the
Committee including , Liberal Democrat Lords
Spokesperson for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS),
and , Past President of the
Institution of Civil Engineers.
The debate is being moved
by , Chair of the Science
and Technology Committee
and , Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy, will respond on behalf
of the Government.
The debate is expected to start after
3:30pm.
In its report published in July 2018, the Committee
warned that the construction
sector as it currently operates cannot meet the UK’s need for
housing and may struggle to meet the need for infrastructure.
Given that the UK already lags behind other countries in
construction productivity, and is facing a labour shortage, the
Government and the construction sector must urgently find
solutions.
The Committee said that off-site manufacture (OSM)
can help to increase productivity in the construction sector
while reducing labour demands, improving the quality and
efficiency of buildings, and reducing the environmental impacts
associated with traditional construction.
The report and the Government’s response is available
on the Committee’s website.
