In reaction to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) report into construction price fixing, UCATT have called for a reversal of successive Government policies in the public sector in order to stamp out the practice.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: "The widespread and systematic price fixing uncovered by the OFT is an inevitable consequence of the systematic privatisation and outsourcing of public sector construction work, especially in local authorities. If the public sector is not able to build properties and buildings directly, then you are at the mercy of collusion among private contractors, to artificially increase prices. It is a grim irony that these policies have been pursued in the name of efficiency and cost savings."

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UCATT are calling for the maximum possible fine to be levied on all construction companies found guilty of price fixing on public contracts.

(CD/JM)