Coalition Launched to Kick Start Construction
Politicians from all parties and construction industry representatives have united to help kick start the ailing construction industry which is suffering its worst recession since 1980 with eight firms going bust every day and house building at its lowest level since 1924. ‘Get Britain Building’, the biggest coalition in the building industry’s history, launched in the House of Commons last week is now campaigning to help the construction industry survive.
The ‘Get Britain Building’ coalition spearheaded by British Precast, the Builders Merchants Federation, the Federation of Master Builders, and the Modern Masonry Alliance is demanding that the Government supports its Ten Point Manifesto to get Britain building again and save hundreds of thousands of jobs in the construction industry.
The Get Britain Building Manifesto wants the Government to create a new business environment framework in which the construction companies can work. The Manifesto includes a plea to get banks lending to small businesses again; a government strategy to refurbish the country’s 26 million homes to make them more energy efficient; a cut in VAT to five per cent for property maintenance; a major increase in new social housing and a defined timetable to complete the Government’s planned investment in new schools and hospitals.
Speaking at the campaign launch in Westminster, Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt said, “The construction industry is like a road accident victim, bleeding at the side of the road.” Her comments were echoed by the Shadow Construction Minister Mark Prisk MP, who called on the political parties to unite and start delivering policies that will help the construction industry. “The time for talking is over” he said, “the industry cannot wait as we need action now.” Also speaking at the event was Government Minister Rt. Hon John Spellar MP, who has a long history of involvement in the construction industry. Despite their political differences all were agreed on the need to help the construction industry.
John Andrews, Chief Executive of NAPIT, who are supporting the campaign commented: “It is vital that real action is taken, not just eye catching sound bites that sound good but achieve little. During the last recession the UK construction industry lost over 500,000 skilled jobs and this is a situation we just cannot allow to happen again”.