Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The Mineral Products Association has welcomed the small amount of good news for construction from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last week.
Nigel Jackson, MPA chief executive, said: “The Autumn Statement is a positive response to industry calls for more investment as well as cancellation of the planned January fuel duty increase and further action on unnecessary regulatory costs and burdens.
“The construction boost is modest when compared with the industry decline suffered during 2012, but it a step in the right direction.
“We also welcome the raising of the threshold on capital allowances. We do, however, remain concerned at the slow progress being made in getting new privately funded infrastructure projects underway.
“A real focus on early delivery is required here. We hope that the proposed changes to the PFI model make a difference and soon. The Government has listened and has tried to shift things in the right direction but the focus has to be about urgent delivery particularly on housing, new energy and transport infrastructure and road maintenance.”
