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UCATT are working alongside other construction unions, construction companies and sympathetic MPs in their lobbying activities. Several high level meetings have taken place and further meetings with Government representatives are planned for the near future.
The major factor in the UK experiencing a double dip recession is the decline in the construction industry. In the second quarter of this year, construction output fell by 3.9%, contributing to the overall economy shrinking by 0.7%. Last week the Bank of England downgraded their growth predictions for the economy to "around zero" for 2012.
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Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "It is vital that the Government realises that their present economic policies are not working. Additional investment will create jobs and help return confidence to the construction industry which in turn will help the entire economy return to growth."
UCATT believe that investment should be focussed on social housing projects and shovel ready (mothballed) infrastructure schemes. Both these type of projects will have relatively short lead times, meaning that if the money was found, work could get underway relatively quickly.
Mr Murphy added: "The construction industry is crying out for direct Government investment. It is essential that money is spent on projects which can begin sooner rather than later."
The Labour MP for Halifax, Linda Riordan said: "The sooner the Government invests in new infrastructure projects to get the economy moving the better. I want to see more social housing, more construction projects and more investment in hard-hit northern towns and cities. I am delighted that the Treasury has agreed to meet trade unions and me to discuss this issue. The economy urgently needs a kick start so I am looking forward to seeing our aims and aspirations implemented. We need to get Britain building again and that requires new investment, new housing and the creation of new jobs."
(CD/GK)
