Michael Holmes , TV Property Expert |
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taining the capacity and capability of the industry . “ One of the big questions we now face is : how can we ensure we have enough people with the right skills to build the houses , roads and rail lines of the future ?” “ Using more offsite components and investing in skills and the management of projects will now prove absolutely vital .”
GGF STAYS OPEN-MINDED The GGF remains open-minded about the changes that will come and will continue to work with parliamentarians and government departments on the many issues affecting the glass and glazing industry . Nigel Rees , GGF Chief Executive said : “ The GGF membership can rest assured that we will continue
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to deliver the same level of benefits and service for our members . In the short term , we must wait until the party conferences this autumn and see how the political parties shape their leadership , policies and direction going forward . “ There is no doubt that the implications of Brexit and the political uncertainty is already sending economic shockwaves through the construction and property sector , the scale of which may not be clear for some time and as such a tough trading climate that will impact companies both large and small is anticipated . In the meantime , we remain open-minded and will work in the background with our political advisers GK Strategy , our members and key influencers in the broader construction industry to plan for all scenarios . I am
‘ we could pay higher prices and have to contend with more red tape ’
confident that the Federation will be in a stronger lobbying position once the dust has settled . We will of course continue to keep our members well informed as to the unfurling impact on our campaigns and our activities to ensure they are well-positioned to cope with any changes .”
HOME BUYERS STALLING Major house builders suffered initial blows to their future forecasts and some analysts predicted a slowdown in the market along with increased costs of 10-12 % for major construction projects , leading to more being put on ice . Big names like Taylor Wimpey underwent 20 % falls yet housebuilder Persimmon , which reported strong trading in the first half of the year , said it was too early to judge the effect of Brexit on the
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“ A fall in value of the pound could lead to an increase in interest rates to defend the value of the currency . If this was to happen , it would likely have a negative impact on property prices . “ Given the long-standing imbalance between demand and supply in the UK housing market , it is likely that prices would recover in the medium term .” |
TIMBER OPEN FOR BUSINESS The Timber Trade Federation ( TTF ) said it was continuing to work with all European trade association partners to reassure them that the UK is still a strong market which is very much open for business . TTF managing director David Hopkins added that the EU Timber Regulation ( EUTR ), which acts as a ban on placing illegal timber on the EU market , was a matter of UK law and was still being enforced . He said : “ We ’ ve had meetings and statements from contractors and other buyers stating that they will be maintaining the strictest environmental and responsible sourcing standards regardless of the UK position in EU . In this regard , for the timber trade , it is business as usual .”
INFRASTRUCTURE HALT In the short term , we are told not to expect any green lights from government about such major infrastructure issues as airport runways , new railways and nuclear power stations . In the medium term , leaving the EU may very well result in the end of the British Union , with sepa-
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Lesley Batchelor OBE
“ With the increasing strength leaning away from the western hemisphere it makes sense to consolidate and work with those markets we are already strong in , rather than try and develop new markets when we know that we still have much to learn about exporting from our trade figures .” The director general says the UK needs to learn how to export properly - following the lead of the Europeans , Germans , Dutch and Italians .
TRANSPORT BACKS EU The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport ( CILT ) members were surveyed before the referendum . The results revealed that 65 % of respondents believed that the logistics and transport industry would have a stronger future if the UK remained in the EU . CILT represents over 18,000 professionals working in the logistics and transport industry and the member survey received 676 responses . Kevin Richardson , Chief Executive of CILT , said : ‘ The message from our members reveals that , both as individuals and from a business perspective , a majority are in favour of the UK remaining in the EU . The Institute does not align itself with any campaign and respects that our members do have split views on this issue .”
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