Construction skills’ shortages are pushing wages in the sector far above the national average, putting Cumbria’s housing and infrastructure programmes at risk. 

This stark warning comes from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 

Its quarterly Construction Market Survey reveals that 61 per cent of construction professionals in the north west have reported wage rises, with earnings rising by six per cent in the year to October. 

Labour shortages were reported by 46 per cent and were cited as the most significant barrier to growth in the last quarter of 2015. 

The report was compiled before the floods that hit the region in December. 

These are likely to boost demand for builders’ services further once flooded homes have dried and work to repair the damage gets underway. 

RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “While workloads are still growing, labour shortages are causing delays and significant problems with project planning. 

“That said, industry wages are becoming increasingly attractive, and I would hope this will encourage skilled workers to return to the sector, as well as encourage school leavers and graduates to pursue roles in the industry.” 

Meanwhile Persimmon Homes, one of the most active housebuilders in Cumbria, says it is ready to step up construction in 2016. 

Mark Cook, managing director of Persimmon Homes Lancashire, said: “As a business, 2015 was a strong year, with completions increasing eight per cent to 14,572. 

“Here in our region, the focus is on delivery of a range of homes to suit all buyers. “We plan to start work on developments in Carlisle, and at Ramsgreave, Hesketh Bank and Colne [in Lancashire] in the first half of this year. 

“And we are working with local authorities to gain planning permission in a number of other locations across Cumbria and Lancashire.” 

The new development in Carlisle is Speckled Wood, a mix of 189 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes off Cumwhinton Road. 

Persimmon employs 168 people in Cumbria and Lancashire. It announced plans last year to tackle a skills shortage by recruiting ex-military personnel. 

The ‘Combat to Construction’ initiative aims to take on 1,000 former Army, Royal Navy and RAF servicemen and women and retrain them as bricklayers and joiners. 

It has since extended the scheme to cater for non-military entrants who want to move to a job offering training, a qualification, security and increased earning potential. 

Persimmon is building at Brackenleigh in Carlisle, Carleton Meadows at Penrith, Newlands Park at Dearham, Forgehill Park at Workington, Bellaport Gardens at Harrington, and The Links, Seascale, Subsidiary Charles Church is also building in Carlisle.