Retentions bill backed by 207 MPs
28th August 2018
UK: Over 200 MPs are now said to support the Aldous Bill to reform the cash retentions system in construction.
According to the building services contractors group BESA, 207 MPs – almost one a third of all MPs – now support the Aldous Bill, which proposes that cash retentions owed to the supply chain are held in trust.
The backing comes alongside what is described as the “largest fair payments campaign ever formed in the UK”, by an unprecedented coalition of over 80 industry bodies and trade associations, representing over 580,000 businesses and sole traders.
Following the collapse of Carillion in January, the Aldous Bill has drawn endorsement from some well-known names, including MPs John McDonnell, Ken Clarke and Sir Vince Cable. While the bill has secured broad cross-party backing, Labour (96) and Conservatives (76) make the majority of parliamentary support.
Alexi Ozioro, BESA’s public affairs & policy manager is confident that the bill will continue to gain support: “Carillion put late payments in the public view and we have grown a campaign that 76 Conservatives and MPs from every other party all back. We have a great opportunity for industry unity and to finally solve a problem that has plagued the industry, economy and SMEs for far too long.”
Encouraged by the support, Peter Aldous commented: “There is more work to be done in persuading government to adopt the bill, but I am confident that vital momentum is being gained, showing the appetite within parliament for the Aldous Bill to succeed.”
Peter Aldous introduced his Bill to put retentions in secure deposit schemes six days before Carillion collapsed, and second reading is due to take place after the party conference season on October 26.
Related stories:
Aldous launches retentions bill – 8 January 2018
UK: Proposed parliamentary legislation to ring-fence retentions has attracted support from politicians across the House. Read more…
Construction retention bill published – 23 April 2018
UK: The Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill has just been published in time for its second reading on Friday (April 27). Read more…
Industry leaders petition No 10 – 24 April 2018
UK: A petition on fair payment and retentions, representing over 355,000 businesses, was delivered yesterday to Theresa May, the prime minister. Read more…
