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°ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ responses to government consultations on Brexit, immigration and trade negotiations

The Royal Institute of British Architects (°ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ) represents the architecture profession at the highest level as the UK negotiates its new relationship with the EU, establishes new international trade deals and implements a new immigration system.

Our consultation responses urge government to ensure that we maintain a good relationship with the EU, that trade deals open up new markets and the new immigration system works for architects and our global architecture sector.

Read more about the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ’s Brexit work.

Brexit

Architects Registration Board: Consultation on the UK Adaptation Assessment

September 2022

This consultation sought views on the Architects Registration Board’s proposed UK Adaptation Assessment Procedures. Our response highlighted that the proposed assessment criteria were too broad and do not focus on UK specific issues. Further clarity on who is required to take the Adaptation Assessment is also needed.

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Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Choice on Units of Measurement: Markings and Sales

August 2022

This consultation sought views on the government’s plans to provide a choice on weights and measures for consumer transactions. Our response recommend that the construction and real estate sectors should be excluded from a choice in units of measurement. There is a need for metric consistency in the construction and real estate sectors to ensure standard working within UK projects and internationally. This is important for health and safety, climate commitments, consistency, and the UK architecture sector’s international reputation.

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Cabinet Office: Green Paper - transforming public procurement

March 2021

The proposals in the Green Paper aim to speed up and simplify the procurement process and prioritise value for money. Our response highlights that there are many welcome reforms in the paper, but we hope that the government is more ambitious. Many issues relating to the delivery of construction projects and the skills of contracting authorities remain unanswered.

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House of Lords - EU Services Sub-Committee: Future UK-EU relations: trade in services

February 2021

This inquiry looked at the future of UK-EU relations on trade in services, including the impact of the provisions set out in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Our response highlighted that while it was positive to see short-term business visas in the TCA, the lack of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and the end of the Erasmus+ scheme will affect the architecture sector.

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Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government: proposed amendments to the Architects Act 1997

January 2021

This consultation considers amendments to the Architects Act 1997 to promote and maintain standards of competence amongst architects registered in the UK, relating to building safety. Part B of the consultation builds on the UK’s post-Brexit regulatory system around the recognition of international qualifications for the purposes of registration as an architect in the UK.

Our response was shaped by the views of our members and wider profession and supports the allocation of new ARB powers to negotiate international agreements that will enable UK architecture to thrive and uphold the highest professional standards globally.

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Migration Advisory Committee – Shortage Occupation List

January 2019

In June 2018, the government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a full review of the composition of the Shortage Occupation List.

Our response included information on measures practices have been taking to recruit, but are still having some difficulties.

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House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee: the impact of Brexit on the creative industries, tourism and the digital single market

October 2016

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee held and inquiry to find out if, post-Brexit, the UK be able to attract and retain talent from across the world in order to maintain its high reputation in the creative industries.

We included the importance of mutual recognition of professional qualifications, a commitment from government for funding for research and development, and that the government should look to strengthen existing and build new relationships partnerships with emerging research and science nations.

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Trade negotiations 

Response to the Business and Trade Committee: export-led growth inquiry

July 2023

The Business and Trade Committee has launched an inquiry into Export-led growth. The Committee will examine how well equipped the UK is to achieve the ambitious target set by the Government for growth in UK exports by the end of the current decade. It will also consider how the UK can take advantage of export opportunities in emerging technologies and critical international supply chains.

To promote growth, our response recommends that Government prioritises signing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), facilitating the movement of people, ensuring business certainty through standards harmonisation, promoting sustainable design leadership and securing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with reduced tariffs for construction products.

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House of Lords - International Trade Committee: UK-Australia trade negotiations and agreement

September 2021

The government has made a trade deal with Australia a priority. This inquiry focused on the government’s aims and objectives, the progress of negotiations, and the possible impacts of a final deal for people and businesses across the UK.

Our response highlighted that a trade deal with Australia must include mutual recognition of professional qualifications and enhanced business travel to help grow architectural exports between the two countries.

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House of Commons - International Trade Committee: UK trade negotiations

December 2020

This inquiry focused on the government’s aims and objectives, the progress of negotiations, and the possible impacts of trade deals and negotiations being secured by the Department for International Trade.

Our response highlighted the importance of a trade deal with Australia and New Zealand, and the opportunities and risks that a trade deal presents.

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House of Lords - EU International Agreements Sub-Committee: UK-New Zealand trade negotiations

September 2020

This inquiry focused on the government’s aims and objectives, the progress of negotiations, and the possible impacts of a final trade deal with New Zealand for people and businesses across the UK.

Our response highlighted that it was good to see that mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and that enhancing business travel was included in the negotiating objectives with New Zealand. 

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House of Lords - EU International Agreements Sub-Committee: UK-Australia trade negotiations

September 2020

This inquiry focused on the government’s aims and objectives, the progress of negotiations, and the possible impacts of a final trade deal with Australia for people and businesses across the UK.

Our response highlighted that it was good to see that mutual recognition of professional qualifications (MRPQs) was included in the negotiating objectives, and that it was welcome that the architecture sector was a priority area for MRPQs with Australia. 

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Department for International Trade: the UK Global Tariff

March 2020

The UK Global Tariff will apply to goods imported into the UK on 1 January 2021. This consultation sought views on what goods should have tariffs and at what tariff levels should apply.

Our response welcomed the changes to remove nuisance tariffs and creating standardised tariff bands. We also highlighted the potential disruption if goods must be physically stopped and checked at the border.

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Department for International Trade: Trade with Japan

November 2019

As the UK leaves the EU, the government is looking to form new Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with countries around the world. The Department for International Trade consulted on what an FTA with Japan should include.

Our response highlighted that any trade deal with Japan must include an effective clause on mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

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International Trade Committee inquiry: Department for International Trade’s support for exports

February 2019

The International Trade Committee launched an inquiry into the Department for International Trade’s support for exports. Promoting and supporting UK exports is a core task of the Department and this consultation examined whether the plans that were set out in the government’s strategy provided sufficient levels of support to UK businesses wishing to export.

We responded by highlighting the biggest challenges facing architectural practices seeking to start working internationally. These include getting the right information about potential markets, finding local partners to work with, securing the financial backing they need and a lack of on-the-ground support.

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Department for International Trade: Trade with Australia

October 2018

The Department for International Trade consulted on what an FTA with Australia should include.

Our response highlighted the need for mutual recognition of professional qualifications and the difficultly of working in Australia due to the time and costly nature of obtaining a visa.

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Department for International Trade: Trade with New Zealand

October 2018

The Department for International Trade consulted on what an FTA with New Zealand should include.

We highlighted in our response that the UK is the second-largest provider of services imports into New Zealand. The UK also already has good cultural and social links with New Zealand, making it an attractive prospect for a trade deal.

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Department for International Trade: Trade with the United States

October 2018

The Department for International Trade consulted on what an FTA with the United States should include.

Our response noted that the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ already has seven chapters in the US and that mutual recognition of professional qualifications is essential to strengthening architectural exports to the US.

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House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee: Inquiry on UK-EU trade in non-financial services post-Brexit

October 2016

The EU Internal Market Sub-Committee launched a short inquiry on Brexit: Trade in services between the UK and the EU.

Our response included the importance of maintaining the UK’s world-class architectural sector, maintaining a skilled and innovative profession and retaining mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

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