Well, we’re all fine now then aren’t we because officially, the UK is out of recession? The Office of National Statistics told us at the end of January that the economy ended six straight quarters of decline by growing in the final three months of 2009. By a whopping 0.1 percent. Whilst the figures confirm that manufacturing is now out of recession, they do raise questions over the health of the wider economy, including the construction industry which is plainly still in recession according to the FMB’s State of Trade Survey. The FMB’s State of Trade Survey is the only survey of SMEs in the construction industry, and for the last quarter of 2009 it’s figures reveal that 44 percent of FMB firms expect their workloads to decline in the first three months of this year and only 18 percent of FMB firms expect their workloads to increase. Granted, a growth of 0.1 percent is a start but not one that’s going to get property owners flinging open their wallets. Our industry has to have government support. Investment in the construction sector offers the best hope of pushing this country back into real recovery. Without government support how will we ever be able to deliver the homes and infrastructure that will be needed when the UK does finally move out of recession? There’s only one thing for it – put the kettle on and make a brew.
Entry forms will soon be available so think about a project you have completed recently and that you are particularly proud of which you could enter. It will cost you nothing, and if you win the coveted title, Master Builder of the Year, you could drive away in a Nissan LCV of your choice worth up to £20,000. How’s that for a recession beating idea?
