Government must listen to construction industry on levelling up
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has responded to today’s announcement from the Secretary for Levelling Up.
Eddie Tuttle, Director of Policy, External Affairs and Research at CIOB, said:
“This white paper presents an opportunity to accelerate change and reshape industries. The construction sector must be at the heart of this, shifting its focus from lowest cost to highest value and to increase its uptake of labour-saving technologies.
CIOB is supportive of the levelling-up agenda and the 12 missions Government has published today, it cannot be underestimated the importance of listening to the construction industry on how best to deliver these outcomes at a practical level.
The construction industry continues to be a large contributor to GDP, and it will be at the forefront of delivering these visions and making them a reality through improved infrastructure, town centres and affordable housing that must be underpinned by sustainable development methods and strict adherence to quality. This white paper also has the potential to address skills in the sector in the immediacy, and in the future, and it is important that the Government capitalises on this opportunity.
The funding must also be delivered to regions in a streamlined and coherent way. With the economy beginning to demonstrate signs of recovery, the confirmation of ‘levelling-up’ stimuli to less prosperous areas of the UK will help to ensure a balanced economic recovery across the country.”
