The initiative has been organised by the Builders Merchants Federation, British Precast, Federation of Master Builders and the Modern Masonry Alliance against the background that, despite the UK’s need for new housing , house starts in 2009 will be at their lowest since 1924.
But MPs attending the launch at Westminster on February 10 gave little solid commitment to the campaign’s 10 point action plan for government, which includes a cut in VAT on RMI work to 5%, reinstatment of mortgage tax relief, a “holiday” for Section 106 agreements in planning and agraduated stamp duty.
“We back this campaign because of the fiscal incentives it proposes to get Britain building again,” said Geoff Arnold, UKTFA chairman.
“We urge all parts of the construction industry to collaborate more closely, promote our strengths and successes, to put aside old squabbles and to work together.”
Mr Arnold said UKTFA members had been badly affected by the credit crunch and there were grave concerns about loss of skills in the construction industry.
TTF chief executive John White said the federation’s support for the initiative was in line with its efforts to get action on the current lack of credit insurance, “rightly described as the secret assassin of the economy”.

Campaign supporters in Parliament Square after the launch

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---