Engineers warn chancellor not to neglect infrastructure

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has called on the chancellor to keep investing in the built environment when he unveils his Budget later today.

ACE chief executive Nelson Ogunshakin said that Alistair Darling should be mindful of the long-term implications of cutting back on infrastructure spending.

“Many of the plans revealed in November's pre-Budget report have yet to come to fruition, which makes this Budget even more crucial,” he said. “We are optimistic that we will see encouraging signs… which will aid the recovery of the consultancy and engineering sector.”

The ACE drew attention to several areas, including:

• Encouraging sustained investment in green business, with developing technologies and promoting environmental sustainability amongst the priorities
• The need for infrastructure planning to support any scheme to introduce more electric cars to UK roads
• Urging better procurement, preventing protracted and duplicated procurement routes and finding new and more efficient ways of delivering services
• Calls to stimulate the housing sector by bringing forward projects such as the Decent Homes programme.

Ogunshakin added: “This will be an important Budget for all consultancy and engineering firms but it will require tangible plans and not just lip service and good intentions on the government's part if it is to inject the sector with some constructive optimism.”