Ucatt fears inquiry into construction deaths could be published on day of parliamentary recess
The government has delayed the publication of an inquiry into construction deaths which was set to recommend the extension of the Gangmasters Licensing Act to cover the construction industry.
The decision to delay the publication, which was expected today, was slammed by construction union Ucatt.
It is understood that MPs were informed by the Department of Work and Pensions that the 96-page report by Rita Donaghy, the former chair of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Services body, would be published today.
Building understands publication could now be delayed by up to two weeks, and Ucatt has suggested it may now be made public on the day of parliamentary recess, in a bid to reduce its impact.
In a statement released today, the construction union said it was “highly concerned that the report had been delayed because powerful vested interests inside and outside of government were opposed to some of the report's key recommendations”.
The inquiry makes a series of recommendations including extending the Gangmasters Licensing Act to cover the construction industry, and creating statutory directors' duties, which would make company bosses directly responsible if a worker was killed owing to safety breaches.
Alan Ritchie, general secretary of Ucatt, said: “This excellent hard hitting report must not be watered down. A report into construction fatalities must not be buried during the parliamentary recess.”
The union said it was now seeking formal confirmation that the report would not be changed, and that the government would introduce its recommendations in full.
