Government missing targets for public services construction

A detailed analysis of government progress in meeting its targets for the UK’s hospitals, schools, housing, transport and water infrastructure has found that it is failing in most areas.

The Construction Products Association (CPA), in its report Achievable targets – Is Government delivering?, highlights that the government has missed a number of its own key targets for improving public buildings and transport. It also classifies other sectors as ‘now at risk’ and marks out social housing and schools as two areas of special concern.

The report states that government committed to increase new house building from 20 000 to 30 000 per year by March 2008, but this is 30% less than recommended in the Barker Report. Some 35% of existing social housing stock is classified as non-decent and targets to meet refurbishment deadlines are being missed.

The target to refurbish or rebuild 380 secondary schools by April 2008 is unlikely to be met, and none of the new schools in the Building Schools for the Future initiative have started on site.

Government is on track to deliver its target of 100 major hospitals by 2010, but this is being achieved by deferring major projects and replacing them with smaller, easier to finish schemes.

Sir Digby Jones, CBI director-general, said: “This publication provides a valuable progress report on public sector construction, although its findings are mostly disappointing. Government has not been short on ambition but has failed to meet too many of its own targets; has failed to monitor progress; and has failed to demonstrate whether the billions of pounds already spent have been good value investments. The private sector would never be allowed to treat its customers like this.”

m A slowdown in new house construction and home improvement work, combined with a lack of road and rail investment, has depressed construction activity over the last three months, says the CPA.