Industry leaders meet Lord Mandelson

12 December, 2008

The impact of the current economic crisis on small and medium-sized enterprises in the construction industry has been highlight to Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. Following his recent statement in the House of Lords that he would seek to improve cashflow for SMEs by requiring public-sector purchasers to pay their bills within 10 days, representatives of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group met him for a further discussion of payment issues. Claire Curtis-Thomas led the SEC delegation and assured the secretary of state that the most effective solution was for the Government to ensure that project bank accounts were established as a matter of routine for all public-sector contracts. SEC Group chairman Trevor Hursthouse added that a positive response from Lord Mandelson to this proposal could significantly reduce the risk of widespread insolvencies across construction. Claire Curtis-Thomas says, ‘The implementation of project bank accounts across UK construction would revolutionise payment practices in the construction industry and make a significant contribution to resolving the current problems affecting SMEs.’

BCIA welcomes tougher commercial building energy standards but calls for greater ambition across the wider sector

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the government’s confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, describing the move as an important step forward in improving the energy performance of the UK’s commercial building stock.

GOLDBECK commits to three-year schools partnership to inspire Cardiff’s future construction talent

GOLDBECK has launched a new long-term education initiative in Cardiff, committing to support three local primary schools as part of a programme designed to introduce young children to enterprise, careers and the wider world of construction.

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