Leo Quinn was among a group of business chiefs to speak with Phillip Hammond and Stephen Barclay after last night’s vote
Balfour Beatty boss Leo Quinn has told key ministers that ongoing Brexit uncertainty is hurting the construction sector’s long-term future.
Quinn (pictured) was among bosses of some of the country’s biggest companies who were on a conference call last night with ministers - including chancellor Philip Hammond and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay – following Theresa May’s historic defeat in yesterday’s meaningful vote on the withdrawal deal in the House of Commons, according to Sky News.
Quinn told ministers that the government’s focus on Brexit meant the construction sector could be set back by decades.
Quinn asked: “I would like to know when we might get back to a normal functioning government.
“Decisions are being delayed on HS2, new nuclear, Heathrow expansion.
“The enemy of business is delay and procrastination, and the construction industry will face large-scale restructuring where it cannot carry the resources it will need over the next 25 years, and capability will have to be let go.
“Once resources are lost to industry it is very difficult to get them to come back; the next six months are critical.”
May’s proposed deal was rejected by 230 MPs in last night’s vote, leading Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to table a motion of no confidence in the government which will be debated today.
MPs are now working to reach an agreement with the EU so the UK does not crash out on 29 March without a deal, a scenario Scape boss Mark Robinson said has the “potential to paralyse construction growth”.
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