Opinion: Could do better Mr Cameron

Grant Prior 11 years ago
Share

A New Year but another round of old promises in the coalition’s Mid-Term Review which was finally unveiled yesterday.

The document was designed as a check-list for what David Cameron and Nick Clegg have achieved so far, alongside plans for the future.

But, as usual, the review was very light on detail and contained no clear strategy for extra investment in infrastructure and housing.

There were vague promises on speeding-up road and rail building and boosting the housing market.

But contractors can be forgiven for feeling they have heard it all before when the road schemes highlighted were those already announced in last month’s Autumn Statement.

Pledges to speed up housing delivery amount to the same set of measures that are already failing to lift housing starts above dismal levels.

The government has to learn that re-announcing investment plans might grab a few cheap headlines – but it doesn’t fool construction professionals.

Telling the world twice you are going to build a £100m road doesn’t make it £200m worth of business on contractors’ books.

Concrete plans are promised in the next Budget – but we’ll believe that when we see it.

In another piece of underwhelming news, it was revealed that chief construction adviser Peter Hansford has been asked to produce an industrial strategy for construction.

You could assume that was his role anyway, but it’s doubtful the industry at large will be pinning much hope for salvation on yet another report compiled by an “advisory council”.

The whole industry is waiting for clear leadership from the Government to help use the talent and resources of construction to kick-start the economy.

Let’s hope Cameron and Clegg start showing it during the second half of their reign. But don’t hold your breath.

Latest news

John F Hunt wins 24-storey Battersea tower

Specialist to carry-out demolition, enabling works and RC frame construction
26 mins ago

William Hare wins steelwork on £500m Broadgate towers

Specialist to work on 2 Finsbury Avenue with McAlpine
1 hour ago

BAM Co-op Live Arena opening delayed yet again

Another gig cancelled last night amid last minute safety concerns
4 hours ago

National Grid unveils winners for £9bn network upgrade

New 'enterprise model' to deliver infrastructure schemes quicker and cheaper
22 hours ago

Turkish insulation panel maker to build £45m UK factory

Assan Panel to open first UK plant at Freeport East
5 hours ago

Expanding consultant Stantec swoops for Hydrock

Stantec UK business expands by a third as 950 staff join from Bristol-based engineer
21 hours ago

Contractors wanted for £800m highways deal

Bids invited for Eastern Highways Alliance Framework 4
4 hours ago

Galliford Try names group head of infrastructure

David Lowery promoted to Divisional Managing Director – Infrastructure.
5 hours ago

Chigwell Group looks at stock market listing

Essex contractor registers as Public Limited Company
1 day ago

A57 Mottram Bypass clears final legal challenge

Balfour Beatty to get go-ahead to start shortly
1 day ago

100 jobs axed as Geoffrey Osborne confirms administration

Chairman Andrew Osborne calls it a 'sad day' as board loses fight for survival
2 days ago

Midgard set for Notting Hill office tower overhaul

Landmark project edges towards final approval after 10-year planning saga
1 day ago

Cumbrian civils firm clinches £40m Sellafield contract

Civils specialist Stobbarts will support McAlpine on groundworks and concrete
1 day ago

Designers named for London 2000-bed student rooms job

Bouygues will build £400m London School of Economics student scheme next to Tate Modern
1 day ago

£117m-turnover contractor files administration notice

ARJ Construction lodges court notice
2 days ago

£1bn London Blackfriars tower blocks approved

Trio of buildings rising to 45, 40 and 22 storeys approved by Southwark Council
2 days ago

Council decides to end Balfour deal after 13 years

Contractor has been maintaining roads across Herefordshire since 2013
2 days ago

Six civils clients to switch to low carbon concrete and steel

National Highways, Northumbrian Water and Sellafield sign fresh decarbonising pledge
3 days ago

Fortem extends homes repair deal across Birmingham

Willmott Dixon owned firm adds another two years to deal worth £170m
2 days ago

Kier wins £118m civil service Darlington hub

Work is expected to start towards the end of this year
3 days ago

Green light for 34-storey Digbeth apartments tower

480 flats will be delivered for Clarion housing association
2 days ago

LHC starts race for major retrofit and decarb framework

Hunt starts for firms to help with 6.1m social homes upgrade target
3 days ago

Windows giant Everest crashes into administration

Around 350 jobs at risk while hunt starts for a buyer to salvage business
3 days ago

Green light for £500m Newcastle health complex

Mixed use scheme will promote healthy living across all stages of life
3 days ago

Olympian Homes gets go-ahead for Bristol’s tallest building

Work on student and co-living towers to start this summer
3 days ago

ISG gets nod to start £20m Glamorgan school job

Ysgol y Deri specialist needs school is to built at Cosmeston, near Penarth
3 days ago

Walker Modular lands £5m bathroom pod contract

Specialist to work with Graham and Watkin Jones on major build-to-rent scheme

Banned building boss jailed for fraud

Court hears how disqualified director siphoned off cash from new housing company
3 days ago

Osborne staff start looking for new jobs

"Open to Work" flags appear on LinkedIn profiles
6 days ago

Plan rejected for 42-storey tower above historic building

Councillor describes as ludicrous plan to build 300 flats above Georgian mansion
6 days ago

Contractor services