Body also demands long-term planning and investment in skills
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has called for planning presumptions in favour of development on small sites in order to support small housebuilders and improve housing supply.
In a letter to the leadership of the Conservative and Labour parties, it also offered help on closing the construction industry’s productivity gap and maximising its contribution to the national economy.
Further recommendations included a commitment to publish an updated five-year National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline shortly after any budget or fiscal event and setting out a 10 year policy and regulatory roadmap for the retrofit sector.
The letter, signed by 16 CLC members, also encouraged investment in skills and technology, which it claimed could help create £45bn of additional added value annually.
Mark Reynolds, CLC co-chair and executive chairman at Mace, said: “Whatever the result of the election in July, the fact remains that the construction industry offers any incoming government the biggest opportunity to create sustainable economic growth and unlock the potential of peoples, places and projects all over the country.
>>See also: Access to the policymakers: Mark Reynolds on the CLC’s strategy for influence
“The CLC is asking politicians of all parties to take this opportunity seriously, review our recommendations and ensure that businesses all over the UK are given the certainty and confidence they need to invest in a brighter future for the sector.”
Election focus
With the UK set for a general election on 4 July, the country is facing some serious problems.
Low growth, flatlining productivity, question marks over net zero funding and capability, skills shortages and a worsening housing crisis all amount to a daunting in-tray for the next government.
This year’s general election therefore has very high stakes for the built environment and the economy as a whole. For this reason,
Building’s election coverage aims to help the industry understand the issues and amplify construction’s voice so that the parties hears it loud and clear.
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