RICS response to the strategy for built environment professions, trades and occupations

RICS has responded to the UK Government’s call for evidence on the strategy for the built environment professions, trades and occupations - advocating for a proportionate, outcomes-focused regulatory framework that strengthens public confidence, improves safety outcomes and ensures the sector has the skills and capability needed to meet future challenges.

Drawing on evidence and insights from members, regulated firms and expert panels, the RICS response sets out recommendations to help create a more effective, accountable and future-ready regulatory system.

RICS' response focuses on three key themes: skills and workforce development; regulation and oversight; and consumer protection and market integrity.

Skills and workforce development

RICS highlights the persistent skills shortages facing the built environment and the growing need for expertise in areas such as digital technology, sustainability and data. RICS is calling for stronger collaboration between government, education providers and industry to attract new entrants and ensure training pathways reflect future workforce needs. Further action is needed to support apprenticeship and technical education by reducing barriers to participation and improve completion rates. The response also stresses that while artificial intelligence has the potential to improve productivity and decision-making, it must enhance rather than replace professional competence, judgement and accountability.

Regulation and oversight

RICS advocates a proportionate, risk-based and coordinated approach that combines statutory regulation, professional body regulation and industry-led assurance. Existing regulatory frameworks should be leveraged wherever possible, supported by better intelligence sharing, data-led assurance and stronger oversight of risk across the sector. RICS also proposes exploring a construction sector data-sharing infrastructure to improve traceability, accountability and innovation, helping regulators and industry identify risks earlier and respond more effectively.

Consumer protection and market integrity

RICS highlights concerns around “phoenixing”, where individuals repeatedly establish and dissolve companies to avoid accountability. RICS is calling for stronger coordination between regulators and public bodies to tackle rogue behaviour and improve market transparency. RICS also supports wider access to consumer redress mechanisms, including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), to ensure consumers are better protected across the built environment sector.

Key messages for government

RICS recommends that government:

• Address skills shortages through stronger collaboration between government, education providers and industry.
• Support apprenticeships and technical education while reducing barriers to participation and completion.
• Ensure AI adoption enhances, rather than replaces, professional competence, judgement and accountability.
• Implement proportionate, risk-based regulation through an outcomes-focused, system-wide approach involving statutory regulators, appropriate professional bodies and industry.
• Improve data sharing and traceability across the construction sector to strengthen oversight, accountability and innovation.
• Strengthen mechanisms to address phoenixing and other inappropriate corporate behaviours, while improving the availability of consumer redress.
• Improve client competence through clearer guidance, support and accountability frameworks throughout the building lifecycle, helping clients effectively discharge their responsibilities and make informed decisions that support building safety, quality and long-term performance.
   

Overall, RICS supports a regulatory framework that promotes public safety, professional competence, innovation and consumer confidence while remaining proportionate, risk-based and economically sustainable.