Extending gangmaster licensing to the construction sector would be a “costly and hugely bureaucratic” move, according to Simon Noakes, chair of the REC’s Construction Sector Group.

Labour MP David Hamilton recently introduced a Private Members Bill (PMB) on extending gangmaster licensing to construction, while the bill is due for second reading this Friday (3 December).

Noakes says: “There are more effective ways of addressing examples of bad practice in construction - the REC is committed to working with government and with organisations such as the HSE on this. However, we do not support the development of a costly and hugely bureaucratic new licensing scheme that would not address the activities of rogue providers currently operating under the radar. The key is to ensure that existing government inspectorates are co-ordinating their efforts and enforcing current regulations effectively.”

Tom Hadley, REC director of policy, adds: “The debate on extending licensing across the whole of the industry is dead. It is now a question of avoiding a patchwork quilt of regulations across different sectors. The last thing we need is yet more legislation at a time when recruiters are already having to implement the Agency Work Regulations and prepare for other changes such as pensions reform.”