The second reading of the bill proposed by Peter Aldous MP to protect retentions money has been delayed for a third time.

The Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill 2017-19 Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill 2017-19, which was due to be read for a second time in the House of Commons today, has been rescheduled for a second reading on 23 November.

Even though there has been a further delay support for the bill continues to rise and almost 40% of MPs are now supporting the bill. Supporters backing the campaign include treasury select committee chair Nicky Morgan, education select committee chair Robert Halfon, and shadow Cabinet members John Trickett and Andy MacDonald.

Iain McIlwee, FIS chief executive, said: “This is frustrating, It seems everybody now knows that retentions is an archaic and widely abused process, but we are still kicking solutions into the long grass, whilst it is used as a tool to manage money, not construction.

“If Government genuinely wants a world class construction sector, it needs to start with a collaborative supply chain and this needs to be based on a 21st Century collaborative model, not 19th Century payment principles.

“Peter Aldous MP has done a great job in keeping these issues at the fore and we will continue to support his efforts in getting the bill heard before the Christmas recess.”