Building skills
The construction and built environment sector – which brings together the design, construction, management and maintenance of homes, buildings and infrastructure – is crucial to the UK economy. It provides millions of jobs, and plays a critical role as an enabler for the wider economy by delivering and maintaining the homes, buildings and infrastructure we need.
However, it is currently grappling with a significant workforce and skills crisis, with the highest proportion of skills shortage vacancies of any industry. At present, around 37,000 jobs in construction and the built environment remain unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers.
This report examines the workforce and skills crisis facing the sector, with a particular focus on both the construction industry and engineering and building services trades. It sets out key policy recommendations to address the crisis and outlines how to develop the skilled workforce needed to deliver the homes and infrastructure we need.
Common Endeavour
14 April 2026
In this series of essays, Labour MPs from across the ‘broad centre’ of the party set out how Labour can apply its values to the problems we face in the second quarter of the 21st century. The collection centres around four generational challenges: affordability, capacity, security, and solidarity.
Continue reading Populism / Economy
Pressing Reset
11 March 2026
This collection brings together experts and policymakers from the UK and Europe to explore what a new relationship might look like. Featuring a foreword from Chris Ward MP and contributions from Patrick English, Stella Creasy MP, Liam Byrne MP and many more.
Continue reading European Union
The Fabian Review
This edition of the Fabian Review revolves around what women want from Labour, featuring Seema Malhotra MP, Paula Harriott, Sara Hyde, Anneliese Dodds MP, Jess Asato MP, and Jade Azim. Elsewhere, Mete Coban MBE highlights the importance of green spaces in London, and Andrew Copson makes the case for a secular state in light of the rise of Christian nationalism.
Latest from the Fabian Society
View All
Learning Lessons: Fresh Start
12 May 2026
AROOJ SHAH: We must maintain a relentless focus on local services and opportunities if we are to repair our fractured political landscape
Continue reading Elections / Communities
Learning Lessons: After the storm
12 May 2026
JOE DROMEY: The local elections were a near disaster. To rebuild its coalition, Labour must reach out to both progressive and working-class voters
Continue reading Populism / Elections / Public Services
Bridging the gap
12 May 2026
DANIELLA JENKINS: To ensure economic prosperity, Labour must meet women's inequalities head on
Continue reading Women / Inequality
One voice
5 May 2026
JACK MEREDITH: Better bargaining infrastructure would ensure Labour's workers' rights agenda makes a difference
Continue reading Trade unions
Bruised britain
30 April 2026
DAVID BLUNKETT AND MARK RUSLING: We must champion our local communities if we are to rebuild Britain
Continue reading Populism / Inequality
Hand in Hand
29 April 2026
LIZ HIND: Gender budgeting can tackle inequalities while aiding economic recovery
Continue reading Women / EconomyOur publications
View All
Building skills
This report examines the workforce and skills crisis facing the sector, with a particular focus on both the construction industry and engineering and building services trades. It sets out key policy recommendations to address the crisis and outlines ...
Read more
Common Endeavour
In this series of essays, Labour MPs from across the ‘broad centre’ of the party set out how Labour can apply its values to the problems we face in the second quarter of the 21st century. The collection centres around four generational challenges: af...
Read more
Uneven ground
In this pamphlet, drawing on British Election Study data, James Prentice examines why Labour has struggled to hold together its 2024 coalition and sets out how a new progressive coalition can be built.
Read more
Pressing Reset
Rejoining the EU is not an immediate prospect. But in an increasingly uncertain world – and with public opinion in favour of greater cooperation – now is the time to revisit our relationship with our European allies. This collection brings together e...
Read more
Housing the future
This report sets out how the next Scottish government should use its powers to deliver a significant increase in housebuilding rates and tackle high housing costs. It analyses the main impacts of the housing emergency, and examines why Scotland hasn’...
Read more
Adopt, innovate, transform
Drawing on survey data and insights from three focus groups, this report examines the challenges civil servants face in shaping the government’s AI agenda. It sets out five priorities to help address these challenges and unlock the full potential of ...
Read more
Anatomy of success
This paper draws on previous lessons from past health service modernisation initiatives. It identifies key decisions the government must get right, if it wants to achieve its health goals over the next decade and deliver world-class care to all.
Read more
Testing Times
The aim of this collection of short essays, edited by Ed Turner, Luke Raikes and Iggy Wood, is to dive into debates about devolution across Europe, often triggered by experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic, to inform the UK as it considers reform in th...
Read more
Beyond numbers
For many years, England has been in the grip of a disastrous housing crisis. Chronically low rates of building have made both renting and buying a home extraordinarily expensive, and millions are suffering as a result.
Quantity, however, is not th...
Nye's lost legacy
Against the backdrop of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s independent investigation into healthy and inclusive work, Sasjkia Otto sets out an ambitious vision for a universal and integrated occupational health system, matched by rights and responsibilities. In ...
Read more
Forward Planning
This report sets out how the government can ensure that owner-occupiers are able to age well in their own home. It identifies the scale of the challenge faced by older owner-occupiers, the barriers to improving housing, and the case for action. The r...
Read more
Rural futures
This pamphlet brings together rural MPs with a variety of experts and policymakers to explore the future of our countryside. As the authors set out, the potential of Britain’s rural areas is immense. By seeing rural areas as an social and economic as...
Read more
Pressing issues
In this pamphlet, journalists and experts set out the problems that characterise the media landscape, propose a range of changes to improve standards, and set out how the government can uphold the rights of journalists both at home and around the wor...
Read more
Ill-prepared
In this report, Eloise Sacares and Luke Raikes make the case for sick pay for the self-employed, review support in the UK and other countries, and set out recommendations for the government to consider.
Read more
Levying up
The Labour government has committed to reforming the apprenticeship levy into a ‘growth and skills levy’, giving employers more flexibility. In this report, general secretary Joe Dromey and senior researcher Sasjkia Otto set out a series of recommend...
Read moreFabian membership
Join the Fabian Society today and help shape the future of the left
You’ll receive the quarterly Fabian Review and at least four reports or pamphlets each year sent to your door
Be a part of the debate at Fabian conferences and events and join one of our network of local Fabian societies
Join the Fabian SocietyBe the first to know
Sign up to the free Fabian Society newsletter
Find out about the latest Fabian Society research, publications and events with our regular updates
Sign up today