黑洞社区

The CIOB has demanded that political parties do not ignore the construction industry when planning spending cuts, following the announcement of the election date.

The Chartered Institute of 黑洞社区 responded to today鈥檚 announcement of the general election on 6 May by calling for investment in the country鈥檚 infrastructure.

Chris Blythe, CIOB chief executive, said: 鈥淲hat is clear is that the next government will be making some difficult decisions on public expenditure. Certainly all the parties are saying we cannot go on increasing public debt as we have done, the main area of difference seems to be when the cuts start rather than if the cuts start.

鈥淏ut if we are to go back to a pattern of consistent economic growth, there needs to be a sustained programme of national investment. The physical infrastructure of this country underpins the entire economic and social infrastructure.

鈥淚nvestment in the built environment can spread the benefits of an economic stimulus to all parts of the UK. For every 拢1 spent on construction output, 拢2.84 is generated in total economic activity, and 92p of every 拢1 spent on construction is retained in the UK. This is a message that has to sink in with politicians.

鈥淚t will be interesting to see how the leaders of the three main political parties fair during the live television debates; and whether they see the connection between the built environment and the UK 鈥榮 economy, equally the country鈥檚 legal commitment to reduce CO2 emissions.鈥�