Press releases and events

BCA: Cement industry gives cautious welcome to Government spending plans

British Cement Association logo for press releasesBritish Cement Association logo for press releases

Wednesday, 10, Oct 2007 12:00

The cement industry has cautiously welcomed the Chancellor’s statement on the publication of the Pre-Budget Report and the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Mike Gilbert, BCA Chief Executive, said ‘we are pleased that the government has listened to our calls for increased capital investment in transport infrastructure, housing and schools. The government needs to set out a clear strategy for the delivery of these improvements. While the Chancellor’s proposals will help maintain a vibrant domestic construction sector, for the cement industry it is particularly disappointing that the level of investment in the built environment in the UK lags significantly behind the remainder of Europe. Construction output represents only 8% of GDP in the UK; the EU average is 12%, with some member states achieving close to 20%. There is no sign that the UK will get off the bottom of the EU league.

We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that Planning Gain Supplement (PGS) will not now go ahead as initially proposed. The original intention was for PGS to be applied to housing only. We will, however, be looking closely to assess the potential impact of the alternative system of planning charges being proposed by the Government.

-ENDS

For further information:

Damian Testa, Head of Public Affairs and External Communications at the British Cement Association. Telephone 01276 608708, mobile 07866 388250, email dtesta@bca.org.uk

Notes to editors:

The British Cement Association (BCA) is the trade and research organisation that represents the interests of the United Kingdom’s cement industry in its relations with Her Majesty’s Government, the European Union and relevant organisations in the United Kingdom. The members of the BCA (Tarmac Buxton Lime and Cement, Castle Cement, Cemex UK and Lafarge Cement UK) are the major domestic manufacturers of Portland cement producing over 90% of the cement sold in the UK.

The cement industry has an annual turnover of £775 million and is a major supplier to the construction industry. It employs around 3,500 people directly with a further 15,000 jobs depending upon its operations.

Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.

Latest press releases

The British Cement Association responds to the Governments' sustainable construction strategy

The British Cement Association (BCA) today welcomed the government’s newly published Sustainable Construction Strategy and commended Ministers for taking a long term view of the challenges that lie ahead.

BCA: British homes, schools and hospitals should be built with British cement and concrete

The British Cement Association (BCA) today called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to recognize in his Budget next week, the strategic contribution of the domestic cement industry in meeting the country’s economic and social development goals.

BCA: UK cement industry - cement and clinker sales rise in 2007

The UK cement industry has published its figures for cement sales for 2007. Despite a seasonal downturn at year end, domestic cement sales showed a 4.8% increase over the year. Cement production by British Cement Association (BCA) members - Castle Cement, CEMEX UK, Lafarge Cement UK and Tarmac Buxton Lime and Cement - rose 3.6% in the same period.

BCA: Aggregates, concrete and cement industry moves towards a single body

At the internal stakeholder meetings of the aggregates, concrete and cement industry in 2007, there was general consensus across a number of companies in the sector that consolidation of the market development, technical and trade association activities into a single industry body could be beneficial in improving effectiveness and efficiency and improve working in areas of common interest on behalf of members.