Jersey scaffolders dispute price-fixing claims

Jersey's scaffolders were warned against price fixing by the island's competition regulator

Scaffolders in Jersey have defended recent price rises and pushed back against suggestions some companies may be involved in anti-competitive behaviour.

Jersey's Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) issued an open letter to the island's scaffolding industry warning them against price fixing.

However, local scaffolders Gary Brenkley and Dave Lawrence have both said their labour costs have increased because of a skills shortage.

Mr Brenkley said: "Some people think it's a lorry turning up and scaffolding being chucked up, but it really doesn't work like that."

Mr Brenkley, who runs a St Helier-based scaffolding company, said his costs were rising for "everything from materials to insurance and training".

He said complying with health and safety rules, risk assessments, and safety training for his workers meant keeping the business afloat was becoming harder.

Mr Brenkley said: "We've got to send lads to the UK or get approved training providers to come to Jersey.

"Their wage prices are going up... there's a skills shortage as well."

JCRA said it was "not alleging that any scaffolding businesses have broken the law".

However it said "some concerns" had been raised about pricing.

Tim Ringsdore, CEO of the JCRA, said competition "benefits everyone" so it was "important that we act to identify and stop anti-competitive behaviours" in Jersey.