Committee calls for construction champion

MPs have concluded that a high-profile “construction champion” is needed to oversee change in the construction sector and to improve public sector procurement.

The revelation came as part of the long-awaited Construction Matters report, following a select committee investigation.

The report stated that: “truly joined-up working between government and industry, and between different government departments, would be immeasurably improved by the creation of a post of chief construction officer.”

Industry leaders have welcomed calls for the new specialist post, which is likely to sit within BERR.

Lord O’Neill, president of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group announced that he was delighted with the committee’s announcement. He also stressed the need for a chief officer who is “committed and determined to get things done”.

BSRIA’s chief executive Andrew Eastwell also backed the recommendations wholeheartedly, but warned that the industry “cannot dither in implementing the report’s findings.”

The call was one of a number of recommendations designed to use the government’s position as the UK’s largest construction client to bring about change in the sector. Others involved:

• Early involvement of the supply chain in the procurement process to ensure buy-in from the whole delivery team;

• Greater use of project bank accounts and insurance, and collaborative contracts, to facilitate team-working;

• Ending the practice of retentions within the public sector;

• Simplifying the Building Regulations.