Jewson News

Latest News from the UK's leading builder's merchant.

JEWSON WELCOMES SHADOW MINISTER AND CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO 'GET BRITAIN BUILDING' August 25, 2009

Jewson, the UK's leading supplier of timber and building materials, in collaboration with the Construction Products Association (CPA), has welcomed Shadow Minister Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne, to its Redruth branch during a visit aimed at providing ministers with a greater understanding of the UK construction industry.

The visit engaged the Shadow Minister on a range of issues including the construction products industry and the concerns and policy issues that face government as the UK heads towards the next general election. The visit also provided a platform for Jewson's Sales & Operations Director, Neil Lawrence, to seek support for the successful Get Britain Building campaign, one of the biggest coalitions in the industry's history, which aims to save hundreds of thousands of jobs in the construction sector.

On the visit, Neil Lawrence said: "Jewson would like to see government address a number of measures to help stimulate the construction industry. The primary focus should be on stimulating demand throughout the construction sector and providing the industry with a much needed boost in order to strengthen the economy and provide job security at regional and national levels. It was interesting to meet with Julia Goldsworthy and discuss what is required from government if the construction industry is to continue to play a pivotal role in the UK's economy, and I hope that much of what was discussed will be addressed sooner rather than later."

Neil Lawrence was one of four industry leaders to launch a Ten Point Manifesto, under the Get Britain Building Campaign*, to MPs at the House of Commons in February. The campaign has cross party support and argues that government proposals do not go far enough in tackling the real problems affecting the UK construction and housing sectors.

Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne, added: "It was very useful to meet with Jewson representatives to discuss the state of the construction industry at a local and national level. The ten point manifesto provides some interesting food for thought on measures that could be taken to help stimulate the sector, creating and supporting jobs that will be vital to any upturn in the economy.

"With a critical shortage of social housing, the best way the Government could help tackle this problem and stimulate economic growth is by freeing up councils to start rebuilding council homes once again. The billions of pounds poured into the VAT cut would have been better spent on making environmental improvements to the existing housing stock - this would not only have helped create jobs, it also would have helped cut people's energy costs.

The CPA is coordinating visits for key Ministers and Shadow Ministers throughout the UK over the summer recess. The objective is for politicians to develop a greater understanding of the industry as whole.

Simon Storer, Director of Communications at CPA, concludes: "Government's commitment, not just to securing the future of the construction sector but to ensuring that it prospers as one of the UK's leading industries, is paramount. The construction sector is responsible for a substantial number of jobs throughout the UK and underpins economic successes for the future. The Construction Products Association applauds the Shadow Minister's willingness to engage with those on the front line and understand the real issues facing the construction sector at a regional and national level.

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