Proposals will focus on stimulating the sector in the short and medium term

The Strategic Forum for Construction is to present an “instant growth” package to the government, identifying additional opportunities to boost activity in the sector.

Clients, professional bodies, contractors, specialists and product suppliers are contributing to the proposals, which look specifically at how to stimulate the sector in the short-to-medium term.

Strategic Forum for Construction chairman Lord O’Neill said: “The autumn statement rightly focused on our industry as a potential engine room for economic recovery, cutting through barriers to development and funding a range of strategically important projects, but much of this investment will not kick in until 2013 and beyond.

“As a major contributor to the economic success of the UK, we believe that the construction industry could do more to fill in this gap, ramping up activity over the coming year. This will keep people in work and companies in business.

“It is vital that the industry as a whole comes up with robust proposals, and I am therefore pleased that members of the forum have agreed to back this initiative. Having developed an action plan we look forward to engaging with government, working in partnership to boost output in the industry in 2012.”