Britain's construction firms are struggling with a shortage of both funding and manpower, a new report from within the industry has warned.
With several major new construction projects, including HS2 and the refurbishment of nuclear power plants, the nation's biggest contractor Balfour Beatty has warned action needs to be taken to ensure they are completed on time.
Above all, the construction giant has noted that uncertainties that have emerged in the wake of the recent decision to leave the European Union could have a detrimental effect on the construction sector, threatening both funding and also reducing the number of skilled workers contractors have to draw on.
"In our view, this requires an early and integrated policy response to both retain the skills of those who have migrated here and to ensure that the UK remains an attractive place for talented people to move to. The country must maintain its skills base," the report states.
At the same time, Balfour Beatty has reported that private investors could hold off on putting money into UK construction projects until a new deal with the EU can be reached.
However, the publication of the report comes in the same week that it was announced that Chinese investors are to invest £1 billion on a range of projects in the centre of Sheffield.
