John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on construction figures published today, said:
“It is deeply disappointing that despite George Osborne’s rhetoric on construction the industry shrank by 1.1 per cent in the first quarter of the year.
“Output in the construction industry has fallen since Osborne claimed at last year’s Tory party conference that ‘we are the builders’, and comes on the back of ONS figures earlier this week showing UK industrial production in recession. This is further evidence that Osborne’s recovery is one built on sand.
“These figures should be a wake-up call as to the urgent need for long-term, patient investment in skills, infrastructure and technology; otherwise our unbalanced economy will continue to be a risk to Britain’s prosperity.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Construction figures: http://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/bulletins/constructionoutputingreatbritain/mar2016andjantomar2016
‘We are the builders’:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34444989
Production figures: