Industry gets a raw deal from reshuffle

The government has turned its back on major contractors by lumping the construction ministerial brief with that of small business.

Nigel Griffiths was appointed as the nominal replacement for the former energy and construction minister Brian Wilson who resigned ahead of the latest Whitehall reshuffle. Griffiths' full title is minister for small business and enterprise - his portfolio includes small business service, social enterprise, export control, consumer goods and GM food, as well as construction.

Industry pundits have questioned the move. "It seems construction has been shelved under consumer-led issues," said one senior figure. "Although it is important to get some focus on small- and medium-sized contractors, we must not forget that larger contractors are responsible for providing the country's infrastructure."

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association said: "We reserved judgement when construction was moved to the Department of Trade & Industry in 2001, and we have had our fears confirmed that the industry would be poorly served by the move."

Alistair McHarg, new chairman of the National Federation of Builders, said: "The scope of Griffiths' responsibilities will seriously challenge his ability to give construction the attention that a £70bn industry deserves."

The Construction Products Association said the "importance of the industry merits its acknowledgement in the title of minister".

Major Contractors Group's director Bill Tallis has written to Patricia Hewitt, the secretary of state for trade and industry.

"This does not seem appropriate given the size of construction, its considerable role as an employer and the investment required from large construction companies to support the government's policies in modernising public services," he wrote.