The UK must adopt the Government's proposed Construction Strategy, warns HVCA president Bob Shelley.
Speaking at the HVCA President's luncheon at Shakespeare's Globe, Mr Shelley said the Government's Construction Strategy should be adopted 'enthusiastically and unequivocally' to meet the challenging carbon reduction targets ahead.

He urged the industry to welcome the Construction Strategy document that was published by the Cabinet Office in May, which he called a blueprint for a programme of root-and-branch reform that is both needed and overdue.

Addressing an audience of building services professionals he said: 'I am delighted that this potentially revolutionary document contains many recommendations for which the specialist engineering sector has been lobbying for as long as most of us can remember. Improved integration across the supply chain. Standard forms of pre-qualification. The elimination of wasteful processes. A fair payment regime for all.

'I do feel the need to point out that the really hard work remains to be done. I refer, of course, to the delivery of these concepts, to the turning of the vision into reality. This time, though, there is at least one additional driver for change.'

He added: 'I draw a great deal of reassurance from the fact that the new Construction Board, which will oversee the delivery process, will be chaired by the Government's own chief construction adviser, Paul Morrell. Paul has demonstrated not only a deep understanding of the construction process, but also a welcome readiness to pay heed to the views of all industry interests, and to take these into account when reaching his measured, carefully considered conclusions.'