There have been few post-election surprises as far as the construction industry is concerned. Business as usual is the cry from most practitioners who see no let-up in the constant stream of public sector work coming in, and no major changes in policy to affect the running of their businesses. Prime minister Tony Blair, with his reduced and slightly less than merry band of chums, is intent on pushing ahead with the vast array of schools, hospitals and houses that are required if Blair is to leave Downing Street with a lasting legacy from his historic three terms.

So more of them same then? Well, yes and no. Affirmative for most of the procurement models, including PFI and framework, used to deliver the new facilities. But doubts will surround future departmental budgets, given the continuing question marks over the state of public finances over the coming two or three years. The RICS claimed last week that public spending on construction would continue regardless of whether chancellor Gordon Brown can balance his books. This may turn out to be true, but it will not stop the spending departments looking long and hard atmoney earmarked for projects or programmes. Our assessment of the City Academy programme shows a great deal of concentration on costs given that the academies are at least a third more expensive than most secondary schools (see pages 14–15).

The inevitable question that will hang over such programmes is whether they are worth the extra cash – is a better building producing better academic results? The easy way out for the industry is to sidestep the question and claim it is out of our hands. But that’s just not good enough. Without the proof that a quality product results in better outputs for clients, the sector is surely missing a trick, a point made by Davis Langdon partner Paul Morrell with regard to office buildings (see page 7). Only armed with proof of the value of good buildings can the industry ensure certainty of investment from both the public and the private sector.

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QS News