RLB_UK_Riders_Digest_2013

UK CONSTRUCTION TRENDS
recovery was heightened by the success of
the Games and saw the UK as global leaders
within the construction industry. Post games
we are now looking to the future of the UK and
how we are going to emerge from the economic
downturn that we have seen in previous years.
Looking forward suggests further falls in
construction activity generally across all regions
to 2014.
London still seems to be the strongest market,
but interestingly the North East is expected to
be far less affected than many of its northern
neighbours.
Construction is a big employer, providing jobs
for more than 2 million and plenty more in the
supply chain. But the recession has been painful
with around 400,000 construction jobs lost.
However the structure of the workforce has
changed, with the number of direct employees
falling fast, while the number of self-employed
has remained much more stable. What this may
indicate, is that firms are still cautious about the
future and reluctant to directly employ labour,
perhaps keen to keep flexibility ahead of what
remains both nationally and regionally very
uncertain times.
According to the Autumn Statement the
UK economy is facing global change- with
the emergence of new economies such as
China, India and Brazil, the UK needs to
become competitive. The Government has
released planning initiatives aimed at boosting
infrastructure and house building. This will be
achieved by a £5.5 billion capital package and
support for private investments including roads,
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