Ian Lucas MP as the ninth new Construction Minister since 1997 and the fifth in the last two years, must have the force and influence to champion the interests of small building firms within government if they are to survive the worst recession in living memory, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Richard Diment, Director General of the FMB said: "At a time when the construction industry is suffering the new Construction Minister must be a strong advocate for the interests of small builders who are finding it difficult to find work in the current economic climate. Every day eight construction companies are going out of business so it is vital that the new Minister keeps the pressure on the banks to cut their lending charges to small businesses.

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"We want the a series of measures to help builders survive the recession including a range of fiscal incentives to retrofit existing homes to make them more energy efficient such as Council tax rebates and a cut in VAT to 5% for property repairs; changes to public sector procurement so that small builders can compete on a level playing field with large contractors; and a simpler, quicker planning system to encourage development."

(CD/JM)