Tories lead in UK Construction Week pre-election opinion poll

Pre-election opinion poll conducted by UK Construction Week

The Conservative party has taken the lead in a pre-election opinion poll conducted by UK Construction Week, despite 71% of respondents claiming that the needs of the construction industry have been ignored by the key political parties.

Survey questioned more than 1,000 product manufacturers, contractors, architects, house builders, developers and suppliers from around the industry.

The overwhelming majority replied that they do not feel the interests of the industry have been addressed by the election campaigns, with only 29% stating that construction has received adequate political attention.

When asked which party would be best for the industry if it comes to power:

• Conservatives demonstrated a clear lead with 54% of the vote
• Labour well behind at 30%
• Green Party at 6%
• Liberal Democrats at 4%
• UKIP at 4%
• SNP and Plaid Cymru jointly accounting for the remaining 2%

Despite the positive indication for the Conservatives, the survey also appeared to reveal a desire for political change.

• 72% stated that a change in government would have a positive or neutral impact on the construction industry
• 28% said it would have negative consequences

When asked to look more closely at the policies they feel would positively benefit the industry, two key themes emerged: house building and skills. 

The Help To Buy programme was overwhelmingly highlighted as the most important recent initiative in boosting construction industry growth, receiving 67% of the vote.

The coalition government’s flagship energy efficiency programmes rated low at with the Green Deal at 9% and the Energy Company Obligation just 5%and key sustainability programmes the Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed In Tariff each received just 4%.

Qualitative responses to the research appeared to add weight to these results, with numerous respondents pointing to the need for greater support for the house building industry and the provision of more affordable homes. 

Policies they would most like to see include in manifestos:

• 31% said that government should take more steps to address skills shortages and provide better support for apprenticeships
• 23% called for an end to austerity measures with greater public spending on construction projects
• 20% of respondents stated that more measures should be established to drive house building. 
• 20% replied that the planning process should be simplified

Richard Morey, Group Events Director at Media 10, the event company producing UK Construction Week: “The survey results are interesting because they appear to show that the industry feels let down by the main political parties.  Despite the fact that construction has been the main driver behind the UK’s economic recovery, the needs of the industry have been given very little attention in the run up to the election.

The results have highlighted that while there are some very clear issues to be addressed – such as house building and skills shortages – it will be down to the construction industry itself to rise to these challenges, without much political support.  For these reasons, it is vital that the industry takes charge of its own future and we hope that by providing a platform and space for this at UK Construction Week we will be able to help make this a reality.”

About UK Construction Week

Bringing together nine shows under one roof, UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years.  Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October) the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with an expected audience of 55,000 visitors.

Nine events make up UK Construction Week

• The Build Show Building Products, Cladding, Roofing, Insulation, Building materials,Glazing, Doors, Security, Tools, Commercial vehicles, Lighting and more
• Grand Designs Live 60,000 visitors, including 24,600 trade visitors
• Surface and Materials Flooring, wall coverings, glass and tiles
• Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom KB&B and Plumbing
• Plant & Machinery Earth moving, Lifting, Handling & Demolition
• Energy Solar & Renewables
• Smart Buildings Automation, Innovation and Technological advancements for the Home & Commercial Building
• HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning, Building Services
• Civil Engineering Large scale infrastructure, Landscaping, Architectural Design & Build

Link below for more information or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

Contact:

Media 10 Limited,
Crown House,
151 High Road,
Loughton,
United Kingdom,
IG10 4LF

Phone: 020 3225 5200
Fax: 020 3225 5202

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