TUC & FMB Comment On GDP Data

Public investment can help put ‘dreadful decade’ of growth behind us, says TUC

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) GDP data from the Office for National Statistics, which show flat growth for the final quarter of 2019, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“A dreadful end to 2019 rounds off a dreadful decade. We can turn things around in the 2020s. But only if the government puts major investment into infrastructure, skills and public services.

“The type of growth matters too. Public funding should only go to projects with high labour standards and commitments to UK supply chains. And the goal must be the creation of good green jobs for every part of the UK.”

Positive construction figures mask fall in repair and maintenance output says FMB


Commenting on today’s statistics from the ONS that shows construction output grew by 2.5% in 2019, compared to 0% growth in 2018, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Brian Berry said:

“Despite toxic uncertainty, political ups and downs and bad weather in 2019, it is a testament to the resilience of the construction sector that it grew by 2.5% last year.”

“However, the positive overall figure for last year shouldn’t mask the disappointing performance of the repair and maintenance sector which saw minimal growth of 0.7% and a fall of 1.7% in private housing repair and maintenance”

“A national retrofit strategy would help boost the domestic repair and maintenance sector, providing confidence and support to homeowners and builders to make the necessary upgrades to our ageing housing stock. At this same time, this would help to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.”