Member Article

Government instigate national construction industry strategy

Business Minister Michael Fallon has launched a government-industry partnership to boost Britain’s construction sector.

‘Construction 2025’ incorporates 10 joint commitments including improving access to trade credit and increasing fair payment practices, as well as a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in built environment.

The strategy follows last week’s Spending Review news of public investment in infrastructure and will include steering from bodies such as the Green Construction Board.

Mr Fallon said: “Construction accounts for nearly seven per cent of the UK economy, over 280,000 businesses and employs around three million people. It is a sector where Britain has a strong competitive edge, the capabilities for rapid new development and a potential for unlocking great wealth for our economy.

“With the global construction market forecasted to grow by 70 per cent by 2025, Britain is now in a global race for growth and jobs, and we can’t afford to be left behind. Growth requires joint action, which is why industry and the Government have come together to create this vision for the future of the construction sector.”

Government chief construction Adviser, Peter Hansford, said: “Construction 2025 provides us with the strategic focus to transform British construction into a real force to be reckoned with on the world stage.

“Businesses can provide the expertise to get us there, but the challenge now is to ensure these strengths align with the future needs of a greener, digitally advanced industry.

“This strategy signals a new start for industry, for future growth and for new jobs but this will only happen if the Government and industry continue to work together in partnership.”

To deliver the strategy a new Construction Leadership Council has been created. Jointly chaired by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Sir David Higgins, Chief Executive of Network Rail, the group will oversee the delivery of the action plan and its strategic priorities.

Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy Director-General, added: “While we welcome the Government’s vision of construction as a driver of growth, and this strategy’s ambition to support UK construction firms as global leaders, the test now is whether words will result in real outcomes.

“This strategy recognises that we need to work hard to keep our competitive edge in green construction and digital innovation, and to increase overseas trade. Our research shows construction services alone have the potential to treble exports by 2025.

“Today marks the start of a welcome partnership between the Government and the construction industry. The challenge now is to work together to achieve this vision.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .