The New Year brings new challenges, in particular the general election in May. I remain optimistic, as all major political players appear to have embraced the importance of investing in infrastructure, and we have seen a greater commitment to longer-term workload.

The establishment of Highways England in April 2015 has been a positive step on this journey, and going forward, it would be good to see a similar commitment to Environment Agency, removing the current annualised spending. 

The industry has an important role to play in helping the Government ensure we remain part of the European Union. Construction relies heavily on the transient European workforce, and it is essential that this continues, in order to retain the benefits of skills and knowledge transfer across boundaries.

"Improving health and safety is still a big challenge. While there have been significant, positive changes in approach, standards and openness, the industry continues to suffer life changing injuries, and worse."

However, we must also increase our British workforce, by working more closely with schools and influencing young people to join our industry by promoting the broad spectrum of career opportunities and various entry routes. The construction industry is a great place to work, and we need to get this message across.  

Additionally, we must continue to improve the public perception of the construction industry. 

The Crossrail films and “Engineering Happiness” were all very positively received and we must build on this.  

Improving health and safety is still a big challenge. While there have been significant, positive changes in approach, standards and openness, the industry continues to suffer life changing injuries, and worse.  In recent years, employers have focussed on influencing individuals’ behaviours, yet it is apparent that all contractors have different rules and procedures, and clients’ safety performance and programme scoring varies. My challenge to all of us in 2015 is thatthe industry unites, and promotes a consistent safety message and approach, for the entire industry workforce. 

The need to further reduce waste, and therefore cost, continues. We suffer from relentless ‘reinvention of the wheel’ in contract form, procurement and design in the name of innovation. My challenge to the industry in 2015 is to standardise processes and allow innovation to flourish in the final solution.

So finally, what should the next Government do?

• Maintain current infrastructure plans and not launch a major review
• Recognise the whole of the construction industry, as it has with civil engineering
• Raise the profile of the Chief Construction Advisor
• Creating a level of independence for IUK to determine future infrastructure
• Resolve the air capacity debate and gain public support for the outcome of the Davies Report
• Set green energy tariffs to encourage private sector commitment and set range bands to attract competent investors; we still see long project delays as support levels are not high enough

Steve Fox is chief executive of BAM Nuttall