Launched today, the Government Construction Strategy: 2016-2020 sets out a new plan to increase productivity in government construction. The document, building on the 2011 Government Construction Strategy, aims to deliver £1.7 billion in efficiencies and support 20,000 apprenticeships over the course of this parliament.
The strategy sets out ambitions for smarter procurement, fairer payment, improving digital skills, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing client capability. These themes are consistent with the wider ambitions for industry in Construction 2025, which is being delivered by industry and government through the Construction Leadership Council.
Published on the same day as the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan, the Strategy is part of a suite of documents from the newly-formed Infrastructure and Projects Authority seeking to improve delivery, efficiency and performance across economic and social infrastructure projects in the public, private and regulated sectors.
Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of the British Woodworking Federation said:
"We're delighted to see that the Construction 2025 approach has not been cast aside and there is ongoing commitment to the core themes and solid thinking that we can all rally around.
"This strategy indicates that the Government is listening. There is a sensible focus on better supply chain collaboration and early engagement of suppliers. Fair payment is also intrinsic – this is essential to help the supply chain overcome the bullying tactics that are inherent in the way we are currently forced to work.
"It is also encouraging for the timber sector to see front and centre a drive for whole-life approaches to cost and carbon reduction across the construction, operation and maintenance of public sector buildings.
"The mood music is right for skills too, highlighting the need to address the age imbalance that exists across the sector.
"The Government now needs to turn words into action and work with industry to decide where there is need to lead, to regulate and to encourage. Collaboration between us is essential to ensure our construction industry is not just fit for the future, but the envy of the world."
Dr Diana Montgomery, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association, also commented:
“We are very pleased to see the government further clarify its wider strategy for construction, along with the means to deliver the pipeline of projects in an effective, efficient way which ensures that the country gets high-quality infrastructure it needs and taxpayers get value for money. We particularly welcome the inclusion, for the first time, of the government’s plans to support delivery of large-scale housing and regeneration projects as well as key social infrastructure such as schools, together with those for economic infrastructure.
“The Construction Strategy released today spells out the government’s plans to embed digital technologies such as BIM, effect new procurement methods which support greater collaboration, skills capacity and fair payment, and drive whole-life approaches to cost and carbon reduction. These changes should lead not only to further efficiencies but to government being a better client that more clearly and transparently communicates its requirements to industry about its programme of work.”
The BWF has been working hard to raise the profile of the woodworking sector and highlight how our industry supports the economy and delivers maximum results with minimum environmental impact. Our latest manifesto articulates the BWF position on key policy areas such as jobs, skills and housing. You can download the new A4 leaflet summary of our manifesto here: www.bwf.org.uk/publications/campaigns-toolkit
