What RICS Data Tells Us About the Future of UK Construction: Insights from the RICS Chief Economist (EP 252)
Mon Feb 02 2026
In this episode, Paul is joined by Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist at the RICS, for a deep dive into one of the most pressing and under-discussed challenges facing the industry: the critical shortage of quantity surveyors — and what it means for productivity, cost, innovation and delivery across UK construction.
Drawing on the RICS 2025 Skills Survey and the latest Construction Monitor data, Simon explains why the QS shortage is no longer a future risk but a current constraint, with over a third of respondents describing it as critical — even in a flat market.
Together, Paul and Simon explore:
why the QS skills shortage is more severe than most people realise;how limited capacity is already impacting output, cost control and client service;why skills shortages suppress innovation and lock productivity in a low-growth cycle;how construction productivity compares to the wider economy — and why it has stalled for years;the role sentiment data plays in understanding the real health of the industry;why construction struggles with perception, narrative and early-career attraction; andwhat needs to change across education, apprenticeships, mentoring and messaging to bring new talent into the profession.The conversation also looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, unpacking the UK housing and infrastructure outlook, planning reform, interest rates, and why any future uplift in activity will only succeed if the skills gap is addressed first.
This is a timely, evidence-based discussion that connects labour shortages, productivity and economic growth — and challenges the industry to rethink how it attracts, supports and values quantity surveyors.
Essential listening for QSs, commercial leaders, policy-makers and anyone serious about the future of construction.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads
Send us a text
Want to connect with Paul?
Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link.
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist at the RICS, for a deep dive into one of the most pressing and under-discussed challenges facing the industry: the critical shortage of quantity surveyors — and what it means for productivity, cost, innovation and delivery across UK construction. Drawing on the RICS 2025 Skills Survey and the latest Construction Monitor data, Simon explains why the QS shortage is no longer a future risk but a current constraint, with over a third of respondents describing it as critical — even in a flat market. Together, Paul and Simon explore: why the QS skills shortage is more severe than most people realise;how limited capacity is already impacting output, cost control and client service;why skills shortages suppress innovation and lock productivity in a low-growth cycle;how construction productivity compares to the wider economy — and why it has stalled for years;the role sentiment data plays in understanding the real health of the industry;why construction struggles with perception, narrative and early-career attraction; andwhat needs to change across education, apprenticeships, mentoring and messaging to bring new talent into the profession.The conversation also looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, unpacking the UK housing and infrastructure outlook, planning reform, interest rates, and why any future uplift in activity will only succeed if the skills gap is addressed first. This is a timely, evidence-based discussion that connects labour shortages, productivity and economic growth — and challenges the industry to rethink how it attracts, supports and values quantity surveyors. Essential listening for QSs, commercial leaders, policy-makers and anyone serious about the future of construction. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads Send us a text Want to connect with Paul? Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.