Build UK sets out five 'P's which are key for construction growth
The new UK government has promised change and the construction industry is ready to partner up and deliver it, according to Julie White, the managing director of Midlands-based contractor D-Drill & Sawing and chair of industry group Build UK.
The latter recently held a meeting where it set out the five 'P's, which, it says, are key for the sector to build economic growth.
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These are a pipeline, planning, procurement, performance and people.
"The construction industry is vital to economic growth and in delivering the housing, infrastructure and improvements to the built environment that everyone wants to see," said White.
"For every £1 invested in construction, £2.92 is returned to the UK economy, which shows the part we can play in getting the economy moving.
"There were some very positive noises from Sir Kier Starmer and his Government prior to the election on how they want to get the UK building and those have continued since the vote - with major reforms announced on planning already."
White said at the Build UK forum some of the barriers to growth were discussed along with solutions.
"Firstly, we need a clear and consistent pipeline. If the industry knows what is planned for the next five to ten years we can invest in the technology and the skills we need to deliver that," she said.
"Much has also been made of the promises to deliver more houses and speed up the planning process, which is something the whole of the industry has been crying out for over many years. If the new Government can deliver on this – as it has already begun to map out – it will be a real driver for the economy," she added.
White said she knew first-hand the need for improvements to the procurement process.
"We want the Government to implement the Construction Playbook consistently, which sets out the key guidance on how public sector works projects and programmes are assessed, procured and delivered.
"This will provide consistency for the industry. The Government must also continue the reform of prompt payment legislation and ensure departments are adhering to it or risk smaller businesses, particularly, running out of cash.
"As an industry, we continue to drive standards in performance and it’s important that the Government backs this with clear regulation and makes sure that standards are applied consistently," she said.
On people, White said that tens of thousands of new recruits were needed each year to meet demand, so it was crucial there was the "necessary investment in the development of people from education into employment and throughout their careers.".
"Ultimately, we want stability and predictability so that we can plan.
"Construction has a fundamental role to play in economic growth and the drive towards net zero so its vitally important that this is a two-way conversation with the new Government and we’d like to see this relationship ‘owned’ by an individual within the Treasury to be accountable for its delivery."
