Fears over workload of new construction minister

Industry leaders have warned that construction minister Stephen Timms will be overstretched after being given eight other sectors to juggle in his new role.

Timms will also be responsible for looking after manufacturing, e-commerce, communications and information, bioscience and chemicals, shipbuilding, automotive, retail and the creative industries.

Construction lobby groups are now pushing for a meeting with Timms before Parliament breaks up for the summer recess on 26 July.

Trade bodies including the Construction Confederation and the Construction Products Association are keen to talk with him to push the importance of the industry within his portfolio.

Construction Products Association spokesman Simon Storer said: "We have written to him to arrange a meeting as soon as possible to discuss urgent issues like the upcoming spending review.

"He has a huge amount of sectors to cover and we will be emphasizing the size and the importance of construction."