The announcement by the prime minister that a general election is to be held on 5 May has led to a flood of calls from construction bodies for the next government to reform its relationship with the industry

A common theme is the demand for a coherent approach to construction across government, or for a single department of the built environment. The Construction Industry Council, Construction Products Association and Chartered Institute of Building have all issued appeals along these lines. Other industry demands include long-term investment in projects and a cut in VAT on domestic work.

The Construction Industry Council this week wrote to Tony Blair and the Conservative leader Michael Howard demanding an end to the fragmented handling of the industry. The council says this could be achieved through a dedicated department, a step favoured by the CIOB, or through a major directorate within a department.

Graham Watts, chief executive of the CIC, said a better structure in government was essential to improve efficiency on public sector projects.

However, he emphasised that the CIC did not want the DTI to take more responsibility for the industry. He said: “We are quite critical of the DTI’s handling of things. The last thing we want is to bolster construction sponsorship within the DTI.”

The Federation of Master Builders called for VAT on domestic building work to be reduced from 17.5% to 5%. Its director general, Ian Davis, said: “Recent survey evidence suggests that more than one-third of homeowners would risk shoddy work to employ a VAT-dodging builder offering a cheaper quote, rather than hire a reputable builder who pays VAT.”

The Construction Confederation said the government ought to use its position as Britain’s biggest procurer to drive through better value and higher health and safety standards.

A spokesperson said: “The government has to understand that it has procurement muscle. It must not be afraid to use it.”

It also called on parties to speed up delivery of long-term investment on infrastructure, a call backed by the Construction Products Association.

The association wants money from transport tax to be spent on infrastructure improvements and for fuel duties to be frozen. It also wants the climate change levy to be revamped and the aggregates levy abolished.