NICEIC group head slams government over Trustmark

NICEIC chief executive Jim Speirs has hit out at the government over its lack of funding for the Trustmark approved contractor scheme.

“Trustmark is in danger of becoming an endangered species,” said Speirs. “It has been left to the contractor to fund. If the government wants this, then it has to put some funds behind it.”

In addition, he criticised the administration over policing of Part P of the Building Regulations. “It is not policed in any real way. That’s what would drive out the cowboys,” said Speirs. Nevertheless, he described Part P as a success, with numbers on approved contractor schemes getting close to industry predictions.

He also voiced sympathy for contractors who are faced with far too much bureaucracy. “Take UKAS. I’m not sure what they do and how they are accountable,” said Speirs. “They tie things up in bureaucracy and make things difficult to do.”