Ahead of the Autumn Statement this week, the Construction Products Association (CPA) is urging the Chancellor to shift from current to capital spending in order to inject funding into repair, maintenance and infrastructure, as outlined in the Association’s submission to Treasury last month.

Commenting, Chief Executive of the CPA, Diana Montgomery said: "Government has grasped the importance and the need for improved infrastructure as part of the solution for growth. It is vital that the Chancellor focuses on capital investment in ‘shovel ready’ repair and maintenance projects that are quick to get off the ground with framework contracts and planning already in place.

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"Current spending, such as spending on welfare and pensions, is set to rise from £629 billion to £674 billion by 2013/14, yet government is cutting capital investment, by 21% over the same period, even though independent economic research shows that for every £1 invested in construction, the economy benefits by £3."

The Association has also called for government to play a crucial role in providing householders with incentives to invest in measures that will save energy.

(CD/GK)