Who can you trust?

18:27 19 Apr 2005

 

WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

Has Tony Blair done enough over the past eight years to deserve your vote, or do Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy hold the key to construction's future?

The Industry's associations have highlighted the questions that the three parties need to answer - and you can have your say too.
 

The Construction Confederation has outlined four questions that should be asked of all parties:

  • Will you deliver long-term steady investment in the built environment?
  • How will you help us to deliver better value?
  • Will you improve procurement processes?
  • Will you help us to raise standards and improve health and safety?
This final question repeats the industry’s mantra of a reduction in VAT on domestic repair and maintenance to 5%
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This demand is central to the Federation of Master Builders’ manifesto too, as well as being part of the Construction Products Association’s comprehensive campaign.

Products suppliers also want to see: Sustained investment to improve public services with clearly defined and verifiable targets.

  • The provision of incentives for improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock.
  • Public procurement based on best value.
  • The abolition of the Aggregates Levy.
  • A rigorous defence of the UK’s opt-out of the Working Time Directive.
  • A clear and unambiguous definition of waste and when it ceases to be waste to allow more recycling.
  • A faster planning system.
  • A minister dedicated solely to construction.

Construction Products Association president Roy Harrison has created a job description for the post of construction minister.

In his speech at the association’s annual lunch last week, he said: “It is essential that the next government appoints a minister whose status and influence reflect how important the industry is. The objective is to work with the construction industry to ensure that UK plc has a built environment and transport infrastructure second to none.

“The key tasks are:

  • Champion the interests of the construction industry across Whitehall and within the cabinet.
  • Ensure inter-departmental co-ordination so that regulatory and fiscal measures help improve rather than undermine the industry’s competitiveness.
  • Encourage the industry to develop integrated products and processes that will improve health and safety in construction and deliver a more sustainable built environment.
  • Insist on best value procurement by all government departments and other public bodies.
  • Develop a PPP/PFI framework that works efficiently.”

Harrison concluded: “Only those of sufficient seniority and prepared to do the job full-time will be considered.”

So, what do you think? Has the construction industry benefited from Labour's eight years in power? Email James Atkinson on james.atkinson@rbi.co.uk and let us know.

     



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