The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform received a mere 66 responses to the latest consultation on the Construction Act.

More than 350 submissions were made for the Act’s first consultation, which was handled by the new department’s predecessor, the Department for Trade and Industry.

Officials will sift through results and consult with Stephen Timms, construction minister, before deciding whether the Act merits a slot in the next session of parliament.

Timms did little to downplay industry fears that the Act would miss its slot when he spoke at the launch of the National Specialist Contractors Council’s Fair Payment campaign.

“We will look to push for the changes that are required in the Act as soon as parliamentary time allows,” he said.

The lack of response and repeated delays may mean the plans will not be included in the Queen’s Speech on 6 November.

If the Act were to make the Queen’s Speech, the changes would be introduced as primary legislation, rather than as a legislative reform order.

It is still planned that a draft Bill will be produced by the end of the year.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor