The chancellor could have done more to help SMEs and get the industry back on its feet
The redirection of additional public funds towards direct capital investment in the chancellor’s Autumn Statement is hugely welcome, particularly at a time when the Scottish construction industry continues to suffer reduced output and weak confidence.
But the release of these funds places an even greater onus on policy-makers at Holyrood to implement urgent reforms to our constipated public procurement system so this money can put more shovels in the ground as quickly as possible.
In addition, the chancellor could have given a far greater boost to smaller building companies in particular if he’d cut VAT on building repairs and improvements as the industry has long campaigned for him to do.
From that point of view, the Autumn Statement was another missed opportunity for more radical action to get the building industry back on its feet.
Michael Levack, chief executive, Scottish Building Federation
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