Ad
Thursday, March 12, 2026

Scaffolder hits back over ‘woke builders’ story

ADVERTISEMENT

Hinkley Point C scaffolder Jamie Busby has launched a hard-hitting attack at the Daily Mail after the newspaper ran a story branding today’s construction workers as ‘woke’.

The article posted by the Daily Mail online carried the headline ‘UK builders go WOKE’ in a story about them discussing their feelings with colleagues.

The workers are described by the paper as being ‘sensitive souls’ who shun unhealthy foods and take an active interest in yoga and meditation.

Scaffolder Jamie Busby was so shocked and annoyed at reading the article that he filmed himself firing back at the newspaper, telling them to ‘give your heads a wobble’.

In a video, which was shot by the GMB Union, he explained that talking to colleagues on-site could save lives, and it was not a laughing matter.

Speaking on camera Jamie Busby said: “I’m a GMB Union Rep currently in construction at HPC (Hinkley Point C), Europe’s largest construction site and I’ve got a message for the Mail newspaper about your story calling us all ‘woke’.

“We work long hours in a manual job for long stretches away from our family and friends.

“We have the highest suicide rate among male occupations. It’s not easy being away from your home and family but I guess you wouldn’t understand that.

“So if you think it’s a laugh to take the mick out of us about yoga and meditation and other things, like our feelings, speaking to each other about our mental health, you need to give your head a wobble and get in the real world.

“Mental health is massive and people need to speak to each other. Talking to each other saves lives.

“Forget your divisive culture wars and your ‘woke’ narratives and we’ll carry on looking after each other here and our mental health at HPC and we’ll carry on reading a proper newspaper as well.

“And we absolutely love a breakfast, so get your facts right!”

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Scaffmag Issue 29 released with focus on technology, skills and industry change

Scaffmag has released Issue 29, bringing together interviews, analysis and project stories from across the scaffolding and access industry. The new edition for Spring 2026...

Young workers least likely to discuss mental health, research shows

More than one in three UK tradespeople say their job is harming their mental health, with young workers among the least likely to seek...

NASC warns scaffolding skills gap could leave 40,000 roles to fill

NASC has warned the UK scaffolding and access sector could need around 40,000 roles filled, as it published its Skills Gap Report 2026 based...

Construction industry says Spring Statement lacked measures to boost building

Construction leaders have offered a mixed response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, with industry bodies warning that the government missed an opportunity to...

ScaffPlan partners with Leach’s to expand access to scaffold design software

ScaffPlan has formed a strategic partnership with Leach’s, the UK’s largest supplier of scaffolding consumables and equipment, in a move designed to widen access...

Training provider reports disruption as Gulf tensions escalate

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to affect construction and safety training activity, with early disruption reported to training schedules in...

Subcontractors stay upbeat despite seven-year low in project volumes

Subcontractors across the UK and Ireland remain optimistic about the year ahead despite a tightening construction pipeline, according to a new annual report from...

Doka supports Denmark’s Storstrøm Bridge as 3.8km crossing nears completion

Denmark’s new Storstrøm Bridge is entering its final construction phase, with the 3.8km crossing set to become the country’s third-longest bridge when it opens...

If we achieve AGI, will we still need scaffolding?

Many scaffold firms worldwide are already using AI to analyse inspection records, flag anomalies, and reduce the administrative burden for site managers. It is...

IASA strengthens Asian presence as Taiwan and South Korea join global body

The International Access & Scaffolding Association has announced that the Taiwan Scaffold Development Association and the Korea Temporary Equipment & Engineering Association have joined...

Latest news

Magazine

Spring Issue #29 | Past issues >>

Popular

NASC warns scaffolding skills gap could leave 40,000 roles to fill

NASC has warned the UK scaffolding and access sector...

ScaffPlan partners with Leach’s to expand access to scaffold design software

ScaffPlan has formed a strategic partnership with Leach’s, the...

Young workers least likely to discuss mental health, research shows

More than one in three UK tradespeople say their...

Construction industry says Spring Statement lacked measures to boost building

Construction leaders have offered a mixed response to Chancellor...

Training provider reports disruption as Gulf tensions escalate

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning...

Related articles

Latest topics

CITB reshapes training funding with new large employer fund

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced changes...

Scaffmag Issue 29 released with focus on technology, skills and industry change

Scaffmag has released Issue 29, bringing together interviews, analysis...

Young workers least likely to discuss mental health, research shows

More than one in three UK tradespeople say their...

NASC warns scaffolding skills gap could leave 40,000 roles to fill

NASC has warned the UK scaffolding and access sector...
ADVERTISEMENTS