CBI RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ACCELERATE CAPITAL SPENDING
Following the announcement in the Pre-Budget Report that elements of public capital spending are to be brought forward, John Cridland, Deputy Director-General of the CBI, said:
“The CBI had been calling on the government to accelerate planned public capital spending programmes where possible. We, therefore, welcome the announcement in the Pre-Budget Report that £3 billion of capital spending is being brought forward from 2010/11.
“Not only will this give the construction industry a much needed shot in the arm, it will lead to increased motorway capacity, more social housing, primary and secondary schools being renovated, as well as investment in energy efficiency measures.
“In order to avoid projects being held up by procurement and planning delays, the CBI is calling for the creation of a new post of Chief Construction Officer to drive action across the government sector.”
25 November, 2008
Notes to Editors:1. The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce. The organisation is also the UK's official business representative in the European Union, which generates more than 50 per cent of regulation affecting British firms.
Media Contact:CBI Press Office on 020 7395 8239, out of hours pager 07623 977 854, or email press.office@cbi.org.uk