Construction union UCATT have described the Government's plans to help kick-start the construction industry as doing "too little too late".

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "The problems faced by the construction industry are of the Government’s own making. It was their spending cuts which killed off a return to growth in the industry. While any assistance to the industry is welcome, these proposals are not providing new money for the industry."

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It is understood that the Government will seek to rapidly pass an Infrastructure Financial Assistance Bill, which will allow the Government to underwrite £40 billion of infrastructure works, providing they meet strict criteria. An additional £10 billion will be made available to underwrite the building of new home by guaranteeing the debt of private sector developers and housing associations.

UCATT have been campaigning and lobbying for a major investment in new build social housing for rent, as the best way of kick-starting the economy and also tackling the nation's growing housing crisis.

(CD/GK)