President’s Blog - Will a new government impact building automation policy?

July was a very decisive month for the UK, with a Labour landslide seeing a new political party in power for the first time in 14 years. With Sir Keir Starmer keen to bring in plenty of his own policies and initiatives, it raises the question ‘how will the new government approach the topic of building automation?’

The BCIA has increased lobbying efforts in the past couple of years, helping to bring building automation policy closer to the forefront. While there is still a long way to go, engagement and education is slowly starting to help raise awareness and understanding of just how the building controls sector can improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.

With energy efficiency and sustainability a key aspect of Labour’s 2024 manifesto, the signs are encouraging that the new government will also begin to embrace the positive benefits that technology, such as building automation, can have on energy efficiency and achieving net zero by 2050.

However, with major topics and issues, such as immigration, the cost-of-living crisis and strikes, sure to be a key focus for Starmer and his cabinet in the upcoming months, it’s vitally important that the profile of the building controls sector is maintained and relevant policies are kept exactly that – relevant.

Planning for the future

When the General Election was announced, the BCIA immediately started looking to the future. While you never know exactly what’s going to happen, the signs were pointing towards a Labour victory. The association had been building relationships with the government and key departments, but it was still important to plan for the likelihood of a Labour leader taking the reins and what this could mean for policy changes.

As a result, the BCIA continued to work with retained public affairs consultants Gemserv, as part of our ongoing approach to advocacy.  Together and with members, we  determined the best way forward and some of the levers that might pique the interest of a new government. These incredibly knowledgeable specialists are experienced at working with both Conservative and Labour governments, meaning, as an organisation, we’re able to communicate effectively with policy-makers no matter which party is in power.  

The BCIA has worked hard to raise awareness about the importance of building automation and how building management systems can play a vital role in the quest to decarbonise UK buildings. The momentum we have created will not stop just because a new party is now in Westminster.

The importance of raising awareness

While in recent months, the BCIA has focused on building relationships with key officials in order to increase awareness, there is still plenty more than needs to be done. In all honesty, most people outside of our industry don’t know that building automation exists. So, I doubt that many in the new government will truly know what a building management system is and what the benefits are.

For instance, many people won’t realise just how important building management systems are in office buildings or hospitals. The people using those buildings won’t necessarily be considering energy usage, so the only way you’re going to encourage energy conservation in those kinds of buildings is through a building management system.

It’s important for us to get involved in various panel discussions and lobby the government whenever possible. That’s why retaining Gemserv as an extension of the core BCIA team  is a commitment the Management Committee have made and one that will make a huge difference. At the end of the day, it’s about getting a message through to government and working with them to educate not only government officials but also anyone else outside of the industry.

Reducing the skills shortage

One of the key challenges facing the newly elected government is fixing the skills shortage in the construction industry as a whole. This was highlighted in a recent report by the Construction Industry Training Board, which revealed a need for an extra 251,500 extra construction workers by 2028 to meet the expected levels of work.  We know from research conducted with members in 2023 that the Building Controls industry needs to double the number of Building Controls Engineers over the next decade to be able to maintain the growth of the sector.  

The BCIA will look to work with the new government to identify ways in which more talented professionals can be encouraged to start careers in the building controls industry. We all know the sector is a highly rewarding and interesting one, but it’s important to ensure that more people starting their careers in construction know this too.

With that in mind, the industry needs to do more to highlight the myriad opportunities available and make BEMS and engineering a more attractive career prospect. Working with the BCIA to develop upskilling programmes is just one way of doing this. Similarly, for the BCIA itself, it’s vital that it works with the new government to influence policies that encourage people to enter the industry and lobbies ministers to highlight the need for more skilled workers across the built environment as a whole.

The newly elected government has a lot of work ahead of it, but it’s important that the subject of building automation isn’t left behind while other areas of business are dealt with. That’s why the BCIA stands ready to work with the Labour government and continue increasing awareness and strengthening policy for the benefit of not just its members but the industry as a whole.