Trade bodies were told today that Prisk will be the industry’s representative in government following his successful stint as shadow construction minister.

Construction will be one of a series of industrial sectors Prisk will have responsibility for.

The other areas will be confirmed later this week but previous construction ministers have found their time available to deal with the industry’s concerns limited by such a wide portfolio.

One contractor told the Enquirer: “It has been a problem before with the construction minister having to cover more than a dozen other industries.”

Civil Engineering Contractors Association director Rosemary Beales said: “CECA is pleased to see that Mark Prisk will be Minister responsible for construction, continuing in what was his role as a Shadow Minister.

“Mark has a rapport with the industry and we look forward to working with him and the coalition administration, which faces a number of tough challenges including balancing spending cuts with the need to invest in infrastructure, especially transport and energy, so that it can enable a sustainable, low carbon economic recovery.

“The country needs Government and the construction industry to work closely together in the coming years and we are confident Mark will respond positively to this.”