Oral Answers to Questions

Pat Glass Excerpts

Thursday 8th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab)]

13. What assessment he has made of the latest construction output figures; and if he will make a statement.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

15. What assessment he has made of the latest construction output figures; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon)]

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that construction output fell by 2.5% in the last quarter, but overall gross domestic product increased by 1%.

[Michael Fallon]

There are various surveys; another construction survey shows that output increased in October. In September, we announced a housing and planning package that will deliver up to 70,000 new homes and 140,000 jobs, with a £40 billion guarantee for infrastructure projects and £10 billion for new homes. We have also introduced the Growth and Infrastructure Bill to speed up the planning system and unlock new investment in housing and infrastructure. I am surprised the hon. Gentleman voted against it on Monday night.

[Pat Glass]

Given the importance that the Government placed on the national infrastructure plan just a year ago, why has the value of new construction orders for infrastructure fallen by more than 40% in the first two quarters of this year?