UK construction sector to benefit from cross-party focus on infrastructure

According to the UK construction industry’s leading organisations, cross-party consensus on how best to deliver new housing and infrastructure projects could result in up to 200 000 new jobs throughout the sector. Construction companies spoke on the topic at the launch of the Get Britain Building 2020 Delivery Plan, which encourages the use of construction as a driver of jobs and growth and includes a range of recommendations for the next government (covering the period 2015 – 2020).

“While much has been achieved since we launched the Get Britain Building Campaign in 2009, the biggest opportunities to secure more homes, jobs, growth and a balanced economy still lie ahead of us,” said Mike Leonard, Chief Executive of the Modern Masonry Alliance. “It is imperative that we begin to develop 30 year local development plans to create the confidence required to secure inward investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, distribution and land, and attract young people into the sector by offering long term meaningful career prospects.”

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “Today we put forward a range of sound actions and recommendations for the next government to ensure it fully realises the potential of our sector and allows us to help deliver its aims of increasing the pace of economic growth and job creation, and reducing our carbon emissions. We are calling on the next government to put housing and construction at the heart of its five year plan.”

Meanwhile, John Slaughter, Director of External Affairs at the Home Builders Federation, commented: "Home builders are already stepping up their investment in skills as the market recovers. A firm commitment by the next government to policies that enable the industry to increase supply will help tackle our housing crisis and give the industry the confidence to create the jobs our young people need. Communities across the country stand to benefit greatly."

Finally, John Newcomb, Managing Director of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), noted: “Supporting both house building and the upgrading of existing homes, the building supply chain is vital to the UK economy. Ensuring continued investment in manufacturing and distribution requires clarity and certainty. We need to know what we can expect from the next government. Once policy is set, we also need continuity with no sudden changes of policy direction, levels of public funding or delivery arrangements, as we have seen so often in the past.”

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/11092014/uk-construction-sector-to-benefit-from-cross-party-focus-on-infrastructure-459/