Growth in the Scottish Construction industry is expected to lag behind the rest of the UK according the Construction Industry Training Board’s latest report.
Scotland’s overall construction output will be 0.5 per cent per year until 2020, against a UK average of 2.5 per cent.
Despite this Scotland needs more than 21,000 new builders over the next five years while 232,000 jobs are expected to be created across the UK.
Murdo Fraser has called on the Scottish Government to do more to support Scottish builders after they stripped £50m from the successful “Help to Buy” programme and he has also called for a simplification of the planning process.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The construction industry is the gateway to creating and sustaining thousands of jobs, not to mention training opportunities which can lead young people to a long-term, successful career in the sector.
“The Scottish Government must start encouraging investment in the construction industry. Cutting £50m from the successful “Help to Buy” scheme is not helpful and I would like to see a simpler planning process that would see red tape removed for those looking to build.
“Outlook and growth in the sector is modest when compared to the rest of the UK which would suggest that other regions are getting it right in their approach whilst we are failing to extract the maximum amount of growth.
“Nonetheless 21,000 new jobs in the sector is impressive and I would hope to see many of these opportunities taken up by modern apprentices as it is important that we build the skills for tomorrow.”