A sunny reception

Health and safety minister Lord Hunt this week praised the industry for producing “spellbinding” buildings and for its “excellent achievements in building hospitals and schools, and in regeneration”.

He was addressing more than 200 guests at Building’s annual reception at the House of Commons terrace on Monday, which is jointly held by the All-Party Parliamentary Study Group for Construction.

Senior industry figures and politicians gathered in the evening sunshine at the terrace pavilion in the House of Commons, including new Building columnist Nick Raynsford and John Spellar, who has taken over as chairman of the all-party study group.

Bill Olner, the MP for Nuneaton and the sponsor of event, opened the evening by congratulating the industry for laying “exciting foundations for the future”.

Lord Hunt then praised the industry, saying: “The role of the construction industry is valued and recognised by the Department for Work and Pensions. I, like you, am proud of what the industry has achieved.

“This industry has produced some spellbinding buildings, particularly in my home city of Birmingham. The industry has had excellent achievements in building hospitals and schools, and in regeneration.”

Hunt, who was appointed to the health and safety position after Labour’s recent election win, told industry representatives that he was delighted to attend the function despite joking about the fact it had distracted him from watching the Wimbledon tournament.

He said he was looking forward to working closely with the industry in the future to help the sector build on its progress in health and safety.

He said: “The construction industry has played a part in nationwide health and safety improvements, but it needs to play a further part, too. We can’t be complacent.”