President says government has to produce more detail on fate of the 9,000 EU citizens on Arb register

The RIBA has said the government needs to draw up a clearer plan on what it will do about the thousands of EU citizens working in UK architecture practices ahead of the country leaving the EU in 2019.

Around a quarter of the Arb’s 38,000 registered architects are from the EU and RIBA president Jane Duncan said prime minister Theresa May’s speech yesterday laying out plans for a “smooth and orderly Brexit” had done nothing to resolve the confusion over the status of those working in the UK – and those British citizens working in the EU.

Duncan (pictured) said: “Continued uncertainty over the status of EU citizens currently living and working in the UK, and of UK citizens living and working in the EU, is casting a long shadow over the architecture sector.

“[EU citizens] make a substantial contribution to our vital industry. Our government and governments across the EU must act swiftly to resolve this issue.”

Duncan’s worries were echoed by other construction industry leaders with Liberal Democrat peer and former building regulations minister Lord Stunell and Shard contractor Mace both warning of the potential pitfalls of a bad Brexit.

 

Immigration control

Source: 1000 Words / Shutterstock.com

RIBA says uncertainty over the employment status of EU architects working in the UK needs to be sorted soon

 

Lord Stunell – who is leading a high-level review of Brexit’s impact on construction – warns that a badly-managed Brexit could lead to a “shrinking construction industry”, while Mace chief operating officer Jason Millett cautions the government must protect the sector’s “access to skills and materials”.

May outlined Britain’s 12 priorities for exiting the EU and the prime minister confirmed Britain will leave the EU single market in favour of the “greatest possible access”, as she said it was clear it was impossible to remain in the single market while the government pursued its objectives of controlling immigration and leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

May has said Article 50, the EU’s exit clause, will be triggered in March with the government promising to stick to a two year timetable for the UK’s departure.

 

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