Construction minister, Brian Wilson, has welcomed the publication of a report by Sir John Fairclough on the construction industry, and pledged government support to help achieve it.
The report calls for a new vision for the future and recommends that industry, led by the Strategic Forum, should set out how construction can contribute to the quality of life agenda.

It also claims that government should safeguard investment in construction r&d and better target investment in productivity. It argues that the skills problem in construction, and its impact on r&d must be addressed.

As a solution it suggests that programmes of work must be made exciting for researchers, by defining work in quality of life and sustainability terms, rather than as narrow construction problems.

To further this, the report says a high-profile generalist construction qualification needs to be developed to encourage the best young talent into construction.

In addition, traditional construction research organisations should be encouraged to work more closely, learning from best practice and innovation from abroad, as well as in other sectors.

Wilson says: "The Fairclough Report provides an excellent framework for improving the effectiveness of r&d in construction, and a real opportunity for the industry to make a step change in innovation.

"I am keen to work closely with industry to implement the report's recommendations and have written to industry leaders inviting their response to the report and their involvement in pursuing its agenda for the future."