The industry has renewed its calls for a government minister dedicated to construction after it emerged that two major government regulation changes are set to hit the industry at the same time next April.

The Health and Safety Executive revealed in August that the revised Construction Design and Management regulations are now due to come into force in April 2007, a year later than originally planned.

The regulations will coincide with the introduction of the revamped CIS tax scheme, which was delayed after the industry complained that its systems were not ready.

The timing could lead to a potential meltdown for smaller contractors struggling to cope with the changes, and has prompted calls for a dedicated construction minister to coordinate initiatives targeted at the industry.

Christopher Wise, policy director, National Federation of Builders said: “Government must engage with construction in order to understand the practical challenges these changes will bring and how it can provide a more coordinated approach in future.”