ECA response to Budget 2012
Comments relating to the construction sector, from Steve Bratt, group CEO of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA).
‘We hope the forthcoming National Planning Policy will simplify planning and cut red tape. Hopefully this will make it easier for developers to commission projects for energy, infrastructure and housing, which are vital to kick starting our economy. On the back of this, we welcome the support from the pension funding strategy and the extra £150m allocated to the Get Britain Building Fund for housebuilders, announced by Mr Osborne. As a nation, we face shortages in housing and underdevelopment in our infrastructure. If these plans lead to more projects, this could boost the economy and create much needed new jobs.‘We look forward to the publication of this policy next week, particularly given it supports sustainable development. We hope this will provide valuable opportunities for the construction sector, and particularly electrical contractors, who are key to making our homes and buildings more carbon and energy efficient.
‘Today’s announcement is very ‘broad-stroke’. The devil is in the detail. Only when the details become clear will we be able to see if the Chancellor’s policy outline will help our vital industry play its part in boosting the economy.’