CPA issue eight-point plan for construction

THE Construction Products Association has issued an 'Eight-Point Blueprint' for the construction industry as part of its Budget submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Association president Roy Harrison said: 'Although the general climate is favourable, the construction sector continues to experience sluggish output conditions.

'We believe that the future competitiveness of the UK economy requires the Government to create a more favourable climate for the industries investing in the nation's built environment, and thereby help to lift this country off the bottom of the European league in terms of infrastructure investment.'

The 'Eight-Point Blueprint' calls for:

• a clear indication that a substantial proportion of the surplus funds now available to the Government will be used to increase capital expenditure on the built environment
• a clear commitment to ensure that the Climate Change Levy (CCL) is always revenue neutral for the private sector
• an extension of the eligibility criteria so that a wider range of sectors can enter into negotiated agreements under the CCL
• fiscal incentives for those prepared to enter into an Emissions Trading Scheme
• a more comprehensive package of support for energy efficiency measures in both the business and domestic sectors
• abandonment of the aggregates tax
• a reduction to 5% of VAT on housing renovations and alterations
• a commitment to reduce the regulatory burden on business.