THE UK Government has been urged to use the upcoming budget to deliver more investment in the construction sector to boost jobs and activity.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has made the call in response to new ONS construction data, which found that output fell by 35% in the second quarter of 2020, driven by record falls in new work and repair and maintenance.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB said, “Construction output plummeted during the coronavirus lockdown, contributing to the UK officially entering a historic recession during the second quarter of this year. While we know that the industry is slowly recovering, output is struggling to regain pre-coronavirus levels. The Government must prioritise bringing forward planning reforms and investing in local authority planning departments to help housebuilders start building out new sites swiftly. Investment in construction apprenticeships is also important, as this will create jobs for young people in a sector that has historically struggled with skills shortages.”
