Contact Us
UK Contractors Group
Centre Point
103 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1DU
John Cridland, CBI Deputy-Director General, said:
"With the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report looming, the CBI is continuing to press the case for protecting capital spending by government.
"A strong economy needs fit-for-purpose schools and hospitals, and it will be the construction industry that builds the new transport and energy infrastructure needed to shift to a low-carbon economy.
"This timely report outlines the essential relationship between the construction sector and other parts of the economy, as well as its important contribution to numerous other social and economic objectives, including regional development and employment."
James Wates, Chairman of the UKCG, said:
"This is the first time the industry has put together a set of compelling and powerful arguments to support the case for investment in infrastructure.
"Now is the time for the whole industry to come together behind the CBI to press the message home."
John McDonough, Chairman of the CBI's Construction Council, said:
"To ensure that the construction industry can play its role in the UK's economic recovery, we need to make sure that good procurement practices do not fall by the wayside during the recession.
"We have already seen worrying signs of some clients using the recession as an excuse to seek the lowest possible tender prices. The government needs to lead the way, and work with the construction industry to ensure the focus remains on innovation, partnership and value for money.
"We are also facing a serious skills shortage, which could hinder plans to deliver a low-carbon economy. Young people are being hit particularly hard in the jobs market. The government must immediately provide more financial support for construction businesses to take on apprentices in order to ensure we have the right skills to build the new infrastructure for a low-carbon economy."
Colin Farmer, Partner at L.E.K., commented:
"This is the first in-depth study conducted into the commercial and economic impact of investment in the UK construction industry. With the recession hitting construction particularly hard, this is an important and timely demonstration of the significant short and long-term benefits of investing in construction."
