Civils contractors have published a manifesto setting out the infrastructure policies the next Government must pursue to secure economic growth post-Brexit, with a warning that any major change in the anticipated infrastructure pipeline will unsettle markets and undermine business confidence.

As the main political parties prepare their manifestoes for publication, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) believes that an incoming Government must continue to strongly make the case for substantial investment in world-class infrastructure to deliver long-term economic growth across the UK.

The association's Delivering Post-Brexit Growth manifesto sets out the following key priorities for the UK after the 2017 General Election:

•  Maintain and build upon the existing infrastructure pipeline
•  Deliver a Government Industrial Strategy with a construction sector deal
•  Rebalance investment across the UK
• Guarantee the rights of EU workers living in the UK as a matter of urgency
• Protect the pound via public procurement

CECA is calling on the next Government to maintain and build upon the existing infrastructure project pipeline outlined in the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan, including the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

A key element of CECA’s vision is the establishment of a sector deal for construction, overseen by the Construction Leadership Council – the organisation said construction trade associations have an important role to play in driving forward a potential infrastructure sector deal.

The association is also calling for an urgent guarantee of the rights of EU workers living in the UK. The manifesto says that while the construction sector requires 35,740 new workers per year, the lead time for skills demand in the infrastructure sector is far shorter than the lead time for skills supply.

CECA wants the incoming Government to give an immediate guarantee of the rights of EU construction workers living in the UK to ensure those who are helping to build the future health of the UK economy can continue to do so post-Brexit.

UK infrastructure public sector procurement has reached crisis point

The manifesto also says that infrastructure procurement in the UK has reached crisis point with the public sector procurement process now the most expensive and one of the lengthiest in Europe. This creates unnecessary costs for contractors, their clients and the taxpayer.

CECA believes there is now an opportunity to review the UK’s application of EU law and procurement rules in general to deliver a simpler, more efficient and innovative approach.

With both the private and public sectors facing increasing pressures on resources, procurement reform is vital if the UK is to continue to deliver world-class infrastructure projects and secure UK-wide economic growth, the manifesto says.

Any major change in anticipated infrastructure pipeline will unsettle markets and undermine business confidence

Commenting, CECA Director of External Affairs Marie-Claude Hemming said:

“We believe that irrespective of the results of the forthcoming General Election, all parties must commit to delivering long-term economic growth through infrastructure investment.”

“If we are to ensure that the UK remains an attractive place to live and work, the next Government must ensure the existing infrastructure pipeline is delivered, that investment in infrastructure continues to drive job creation and growth, and that steps are taken to rebalance the UK economy.”

“At the same time, Britain’s future outside the European Union affords us the opportunity to implement procurement reforms that will deliver better value for the UK taxpayer.”

“The Government must ensure that the process of negotiating Britain’s exit from the EU must not cause a loss of focus in delivering the schemes needed to tackle congestion and keep the lights on.”

“Any delay or changes to the existing pipeline of projects will unsettle the markets and undermine business confidence.”

“This could discourage long-term investment in UK infrastructure, which would be bad news for Britain’s businesses and communities, and the strategic interests of the country as a whole.”

With more than 300 members, CECA represents firms who together carry out an estimated 70-80 per cent of all civil engineering activity in the UK.