The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has launched a new committee into boosting construction skills.

PAC,  a parliamentary select committee that scrutinizes government expenditures and public spending, says it will carry out its inquiry following publication of the National Audit Office report into construction skills - due this summer.

The NAO report is looking at increasing construction skills and examining whether government is well-placed to secure value for money in delivering the skills required by employers.

Following on from the NAO’s report, the PAC will take evidence from senior officials at the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Education, as it examines government’s progress in meeting its target to boost construction skills. 

In 2025, government announced £625m of investment to increase construction skills, aiming to have 60,000 more construction workers by 2029 in key trades with skills gaps. It has separately committed to deliver 1.5 million new homes; to upgrade the energy performance of up to 5 million homes  and a £725bn investment in infrastructure.

The PAC says these commitments will rely on increasing the numbers of construction workers.

In 2022, the PAC’s report on developing workforce skills for a strong economy expressed extreme concern at dramatic falls in further education and skills training, finding that an annual £4bn spend was failing to deliver the necessary skills for the economy. 

The committee will welcome written evidence on these issues in due course. Click here to find out more.