A charter has been signed to ensure Plymouth City Council's construction projects meet the highest standards for building and working conditions.

Leader of the council, Tudor Evans signed the charter yesterday, 17 December, alongside construction union Unite's regional secretary for the South West, Steve Preddy.

The charter commits to working with Unite in order to achieve the highest standards in respect of direct employment status, health & safety, standards of work, apprenticeship training and the implementation of appropriate nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment.

Steve Preddy said: "We welcome Plymouth City Council's significant commitment to construction workers and to residents.

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"The charter commits to working with Unite in order to achieve the highest standards for workers and residents. It means workers will be directly employed. The charter will also help local workers to operate in a safe environment including giving them the rights to raise health and safety issues without fear."

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE added: "We have developed this charter in partnership with Unite to imbed in our procurement rules a whole range of asks that bind not only our main contractors but their sub-contractors, to the highest standards.

"The Council spends millions of pounds every year on construction projects so it's important that we demand good jobs, good apprentice training, excellent health and safety and that people are paid the going rate for the industry.

"Through our Building Plymouth programme we are working with the industry to address the skills shortage and provide training opportunities, but this cements that commitment to construction and to the safety of its workers and their trade union rights, even further.

"The charter also reminds us that the Council supports the Get Britain Building campaign, which aims to support and sustain the British construction industry."

(CM/MH)