It’s fair to say that Gordon Brown has his knockers among the m&e contracting community. Too much red tape, is the battle cry regularly heard from the lobbyists, yet few could argue that Brown’s eight years of Budgetary pledges for real increases in infrastructure, education buildings, new hospitals and social housing have helped keep the construction industry afloat.
Even his detractors will have trouble finding fault with his latest Budget, surely welcoming the establishment of a new task force to give construction a greater say in the creation of government policy.

The Chancellor singled out the Construction Act, and specifically late payment, as one of the key issues that the new Construction Industry Policy and European Regulations body would address. This is a terrific result for the SEC Group, given its tireless campaigning on this subject since the Act was introduced.

Adjudication is also under the microscope. Particularly the clause stipulating that the one who refers a case to adjudication is required to cover the costs of both parties. Again, this is a massive fillip for the m&e specialist, and further evidence that the Government is giving construction the attention it deserves.