The extension of gangmaster licensing legislation to the construction sector would be a ‘draconian’ act, according to Brian Smith, managing director at construction recruiter Vanguard.

In the Labour Party’s manifesto, entitled A Future Fair For All, the government committed to extending licensing to labour providers in the construction industry if evidence shows its is the best way to enforce employment rights.

Smith told Recruiter: “It is another layer of bureaucracy. It is a draconian act. I have spoken to other people in other sectors. We are the most highly regulated industry in the whole of the UK. We do not need another level of bureaucracy especially when it comes to paying for a licence to do a job properly.”