Builders call for more investment
In towns and cities across the UK, tracked access platforms and other building technology is in use and, if calls made by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) are heeded, demand for devices like these may rise further.
According to the organisation, ministers must find more ways to stimulate the construction industry.
It suggested that by doing this, economic growth would be boosted and the country’s housing crisis could be tackled.
The FMB made its comments after figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed output in the sector increased by just 0.3 per cent in the last quarter of 2012, while the UK economy as a whole shrank by 0.3 per cent during the three-month period.
Chief executive of the federation Brian Berry said: “It is clear from the deputy prime minister’s recent comments that government now realises the wider economic benefits that capital investment via construction can bring. However, it must do more to unleash the potential in our industry by pulling the right levers.”
He added: “Our members are ready to help Britain build its way back to growth, in the process helping meet the spiralling housing crisis and improving energy efficiency in homes and businesses. But we can’t do this alone.”
Mr Berry suggested that the government must meet companies halfway and find new and imaginative ways of increasing activity in the sector, especially for small, local builders.
As an example, he said the treasury could incentivise domestic energy efficiency improvements with a reduction in VAT on such work to five per cent. This, he said, would encourage homeowners around Britain to improve insulation, fit high-performance glazing and install more efficient boilers.
Thankfully for construction firms, there is now plenty of technology available to help make building projects easier, including truck mounted access platform machines.
