Building the case for construction ahead of General Election

In order to improve policy making and provide a better understanding of the construction industry’s contribution to society, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has outlined five interlinked policy proposals for prospective parliamentary candidates and the next Government to consider ahead of the General Election.

Chris Blythe OBE, Chief Executive of the CIOB said “The quality of our built environment affects every member of society. Construction creates and maintains the places that people live, work and play, the infrastructure that supports them and the services that sustain them. And it is vital that those elected to represent their constituents in Parliament understand this.

“Our manifesto showcases how construction can act as a solution to major policy issues. Our proposals are interlinked, showcasing the need for a collaborative approach to productivity, skills, quality, investment and Brexit.

“It is crucial that policy makers appreciate the contribution of the construction sector: the decisions made today will be felt for decades and generations.”

The five aims outlined in the CIOB’s Building the Case for Construction manifesto are as follows:

1. Continue support for the Industrial Strategy and recognise construction’s role in improving productivity
2. Work alongside the construction industry to support a robust system for training and skills development
3. Recognise and address both the opportunities and risks that Brexit will bring
4. Ensure quality is at the heart of the nation’s construction programme
5. Focus on regional investment in construction to rebalance the UK economy

The CIOB will be communicating with prospective parliamentary candidates, urging them to consider the importance of the built environment both at a local and national level. The CIOB has also published a series of articles under the ‘Building the Case for Construction’ banner. It contains a number of resources including the manifesto, an overview of the timetables for the 2017 election and a series of questions for CIOB members and non-members to ask prospective parliamentary candidates.

The full manifesto can be accessed here.