Scaffolding firms in Jersey have defended recent increases in their prices, rejecting any suggestion of coordinated or anti-competitive behaviour.
The response follows an open letter issued this week by the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA), which warned the industry against price fixing and invited businesses and consumers to report any suspected misconduct.
Two local scaffolders, Gary Brenkley and Dave Lawrence, have spoken publicly to explain that rising prices are the result of growing costs rather than any deliberate market collusion.
Mr Brenkley, who operates a scaffolding business in St Helier, said: “Some people think it’s just a lorry turning up and scaffolding being chucked up, but it really doesn’t work like that.”
He pointed to increasing expenses across the board, from materials and insurance to training and regulatory compliance, as major pressures on the industry.
“We’ve got to send lads to the UK or bring approved training providers over to Jersey,” he added. “Their wage prices are going up… there’s a skills shortage as well.”
The JCRA has not accused any companies of wrongdoing but said it had received information suggesting competition in the sector “may not be working effectively”.
Chief Executive Tim Ringsdore said: “Competition benefits everyone… so it’s important that we act to identify and stop anti-competitive behaviours.”
The regulator has encouraged anyone with information about pricing or potential breaches of the law to come forward. It has promised to treat all submissions in confidence.
