News that the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is to consult on appointing a new 'champion' for the construction industry is good news, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The new Chief Construction Officer, a civil service position, would be the main point of engagement between government and the sector and would work across departments.

Brian Berry, FMB Director of External Affairs said: "At a time when the UK economy is going through a very difficult period with house building at its lowest level since 1945 and the UK construction sector having shrunk in August for the sixth consecutive month there has never been a better time for the Government to appoint a 'champion' for our industry. What is concerning is that the Government feels the need to consult on this because as each day goes by the situation in the construction industry becomes more desperate. The Government should just go ahead and appoint the new industry champion now.

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"FMB has been concerned for some time that the Government hasn't been taking the construction industry seriously. Since May 1997 there has been seven different construction ministers and the current minister, Baroness Vadera, has seen her ministerial rank downgraded from Minister of State to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, which gives some indication how seriously the Government has been treating the importance of the construction sector."

(CD/JM)