Construction industry responds to critical review

Jersey's construction leaders have responded to the negative findings in a review of the industry.
A consultation by the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) found the island's construction sector to have "unreliable service, high and inconsistent pricing and poor outcomes".
The Jersey Construction Council (JeCC) said the sector was affected by "global market forces, local government polices, a high cost of living and a diverse on/off island supply chain including volatile freight costs".
The council said it would continue to work with customers, industry partners and government "to help deliver quality in the build environment".
The draft findings of the JCRA review found a "marked level of consumer dissatisfaction", with 75% of survey respondents saying there was "a lack of healthy competition".
The JeCC said the sector was comprised of 1,490 businesses of which 84% are businesses that, in 2023, employed fewer than five people.
The JCRA said it would look at whether it needed to use "any of its powers" to drive prices down and quality up once the consultation was complete.
A consultation on the draft findings is open until 16 May.
Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].