Herald - Issue 411

v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v 26th August 2021 • The HERALD • Page 57 ASK A PROFESSIONAL LJM Bookkeeping Services I provide a range of accounting and business services to individuals, partnerships, charities and small businesses. I am licenced through the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers for the following services. Bookkeeping, Computerised Accounting Software, Final Year End Accounts, Payroll Management, CIS, VAT, Self Assessment Tax for Individuals and Construction Industry Scheme, Statutory Accounts for Small Businesses including Corporation Tax and related submissions, Holiday cover can also be provided for, hourly rates charged. Please contact Lynda McIntyre Email:  ljmbookkeepingservices@gmail.com Telephone: 07774 790543 e construction sector is facing a crisis because of a shortage of workers – but it means wages are soaring, according to a leading recruiter. Berry Recruitment, whose Southampton branch also has an industry training centre, said that some companies have to temporarily close because of the shortage. With a lack of materials and drivers as well as the ‘pingdemic’ keeping some people at home the problem has been greatly exacerbated. However, it does mean that wages for workers are going up. In some instances, labourers who two years ago were on minimum wage are now earning around £14 an hour, and some tradespeople who were on around £14 an hour are now earning nearly £20. e pandemic has led to a spike in demand for construction sta ; some building projects that were mothballed have now resumed and many home-owners are adding extensions rather than moving. Lee Gamble, Managing Director of Berry Recruitment, said: “Construction firms are really struggling for staff. Labourers and all types of tradespeople are in short supply and new projects are being delayed because of it. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FACES CRISIS There is a lack of materials due to problems getting them imported and if they are imported there is a lack of drivers to move them to the wholesalers, and if they do get to the wholesalers there is a lack of workers to use them. We need school leavers and those coming off furlough to enter the industry in order to keep it going. Our specialist construction training centre in Southampton is seeing more people through its doors, but not enough. The situation is the same across the country and it will continue to struggle unless we get more workers into construction.” Lee Gamble