The election has forced a stutter in the campaign by the Constructors Liaison Group to get retentions abolished in the public sector.
A House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) seeking to outlaw retentions has gained over 100 signatures across all parties since it was laid down by Tory MP David Tredinnick on 16 March.

"The excellent support provided by MPs reinforces our message that the public sector – in its role as a best practice client – should phase out retentions altogether," said CLG chairman John Harrower.

While the EDM will be delayed by the election, the CLG is committed to ensuring that the issue does not fade. "Retentions are an issue that plagues the specialist sector. It may take some time but we are determined to make our campaign a success," said CLG executive secretary John Nelson.

Labour has no plans in its current manifesto to ban retentions. "It would be inappropriate to ban them without alternative arrangements in place," said construction minister Nick Raynsford.