More than 60% of practitioners see projects stall and close-on 40% report cancellation of schemes

The UK鈥檚 decision to leave the European Union has prompted the widespread cancellation of projects and increased the likelihood for developments to stall, a new RIBA survey has found.

The institute鈥檚 poll of more than 1,100 architects also uncovered a picture of rising materials and construction costs, coupled with recruitment and retention issues in the wake of the referendum result last June.

According to the survey findings, four in 10 non-UK EU-national architects working in this country have considered leaving since the referendum result, while just over one-in-five architects said they were looking to increase their overseas work following the result.

RIBA president Jane Duncan (pictured) said it was vital that the government took steps to ensure that the profession was well supported in the post-Brexit world, with access to the best talent, open doors to foreign markets, infrastructure investment and properly-resourced education, research and innovation opportunities.

The survey, which opened in December, asked architects about how they expected the UK鈥檚 departure from the EU to affect them professionally. Just over 68% said they expected the effect to be 鈥渘egative鈥 or 鈥渟omewhat negative鈥.

A total of 61% of respondents said they had seen projects delayed or put on hold as a result of the referendum, while 37% said projects had been cancelled. Just 12% said new work had arisen because of the 鈥渘ew context鈥.

Nearly 40% said there had been an increase in the cost of vital materials since June 23 and 35% said they had experienced rising construction costs from contractors. A little over a quarter of respondents said they had experienced challenges attracting or retaining non-UK EU nationals in the months since the vote.

RIBA also asked non-UK European Union nationals working in the architecture profession for their sentiments following the referendum. Forty per cent said they had considered leaving the country in the wake of the vote.

The survey also found slightly more than 20% of respondents indicating an increased interest in sourcing work abroad, both inside and outside the EU.

Presented with a list of options for government support for the profession, 鈥渋ncreased public sector investment鈥 garnered the most interest.

 

What impact do you see the referendum outcome having on you as an individual professional?

Source: RIBA

What impact do you see the referendum outcome having on you as an individual professional?

 

Duncan said architects were already responding to the UK鈥檚 need to shape a new role for itself but that a wide-ranging package of support was necessary for the profession to maintain and strengthen its role as a global centre for architecture.

鈥淭o do that we need the government to secure the agreements that ensure that our qualifications continue to be recognised in the EU and increasing access to new markets outside of the EU,鈥 she said.

鈥淚鈥檓 pleased that the government鈥檚 Brexit White Paper highlights a number of the key issues that we鈥檝e been raising with ministers, but there is still a long way to go 鈥 particularly on the issue of who can work here.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 shut our doors to talent and expect the world to open its markets to us.

鈥淭he UK needs an immigration system that recognises the benefits and importance of the UK being an attractive place to work for ambitious architects from around the world.

鈥淚t鈥檚 vitally important that the government acts to confirm that those already working and studying in the UK will be able to remain.鈥

Duncan said ensuring that common product and environmental standards were maintained would also be crucial.

A breakdown of the survey showed that the biggest single group of respondents were equity partners, shareholder directors and sole practitioners.

A clear majority of respondents were in southern England, with 44% describing themselves as based in London and a further 12% in the south and south east.