Concrete industry welcome latest Government plans

The concrete industry has welcomed Government's plans to bring forward future public spending projects and to buy thousands of newly built empty homes in order to counter the economic downturn.

Chancellor Alistair Darling is bringing forward spending plans, to be paid for by extra borrowing, in order to 'fastrack' infrastructure and construction projects such as Crossrail, and school/hospital building programmes.

It is believed that the proposals could double the expected increase in Government borrowing from GBP43 million to GBP90 million.

In addition, the Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced a GBP200 million plan to buy empty homes from housebuilders which will then be rented to people on council waiting lists.

"These are pro-active plans that will provide a welcome stimulus to the national economy", said Ian Cox, Chief Executive of The Concrete Centre.

"The construction industry consists of 250,000 firms and employs 2.1 million people thousands of whom are under threat of losing their jobs during the economic downturn".

"Investing in the construction industry means investing in the national economy".

He continued: "The concrete industry remain well placed to help the Government deliver its ambitious targets and welcomes the chance to so".

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