The construction industry can make up lost public sector business by new work in the private sector, Construction Product Association (CPA) chairman Bill Bolsover told 500 guests at the organisation’s autumn lunch.
Mr Bolsover urged the industry to respond positively to the recent cuts in public spending and reminded guests that even though £25bn would disappear from public capital spending on construction in the next four years, it was still only 6% of construction spend.
Most companies, he added, had adjusted to larger reductions than this over the last couple of years.
“Surely we can make up from the private sector far more than we are losing from the public spending, given the many major projects that have to be delivered,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CPA’s recent trade survey shows construction product manufacturers reported a fall in sales of both light and heavyside products during the third quarter.
In addition, 71% of contractors reported that order books fell during the period.
