ACE chief executive Nelson Ogunshakin runs through what the new Government means for the UK engineering and consultancy sector and how ACE will seek to work with the new government.

The dust is now settling on what can only be described as the most surprising election result in over two decades. The Conservative Party has ended up, not just as the largest party, but also with a workable majority, having won 331 seats. Meanwhile Labour’s collapse in Scotland and the Lib Dem wipeout nationally, will also be pored over by future psephologists looking to explain exactly what happened.

"Long term infrastructure planning is critical to the UK’s international competitiveness. The government must make a quick decision on the final recommendations of the Davies Commission’s report on airport capacity for the UK. Meanwhile, it is also imperative that the government provides clear leadership on future planning of the UK’s national infrastructure."

ACE of course congratulates all the candidates who won their respective seats and particularly the Conservative party who now have a clear mandate to govern. Now is the time that all parties must come together and begin working as soon as possible on governing the country.

It is crucial that infrastructure continues to enjoy the cross-party support that has characterised the past five years. It must remain above the fray when progressing with the planning, financing, funding and execution of the current project pipeline contained in the National Infrastructure Plan. This clear direction and leadership is what the UK, and in particular the infrastructure sector, needs if we are to deliver on our promise.

Not only will this provide us with the certainty and stability that will encourage the kind of infrastructure investment that will embed the economic recovery, it will enable us to reposition the UK as the economic power of Europe. In addition, the industry will be looking to the new government to begin delivering on the manifesto commitments that were made during the election campaign.

These will include measures that will see power and responsibility devolved to the regions, culminating in the creation of the Northern Powerhouse, an attempt to build on the strengths of the region and build it up economically through improved infrastructure. Both HS2 and HS3 will play a key role in this, as well the delivery of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, new Roads Investment Strategy as well as the efforts to secure our energy supply. ACE was delighted these measures were in the Conservative manifesto and we implore them to get on and deliver now they are in office.

ACE and the wider industry will also continue to be a strong advocate for working with government and opposition, Treasury, Infrastructure UK and other key departments to drive forward the delivery of infrastructure. Engagement bodies such as the National Infrastructure Plan Strategic Engagement Forum (NIPSEF), through which industry has had the ear of government for the past three years, will continue to be on hand to advise and instruct. We hope the newly elected government will also be keen to strengthen this relationship.

And engagement will be key if we are to overcome the challenges we face in delivering the much-needed economic and social infrastructure the UK needs. There is a skills shortage, with industry requiring some tens of thousands of new engineers by the end of the decade just to standstill.

That the UK is not building enough houses is an accepted fact too. ACE’s own research shows that there is a housing gap that means that by 2021 there will be a shortfall of around 886,000 homes or £185bn. The Conservatives have pledged to build hundreds of thousands homes by the end of the parliament and while this is a start, it still may not be enough. ACE will be pressuring whomever holds the housing portfolio to ensure the dream of home ownership remains a viable one for all.

"ACE has never been better placed to use its voice and represent its members and wider industry at the highest levels of the government. And I make this pledge that we will spend the next five years doing just that for you, your business, and the industry."

Long term infrastructure planning is critical to the UK’s international competitiveness. The government must make a quick decision on the final recommendations of the Davies Commission’s report on airport capacity for the UK. Meanwhile, it is also imperative that the government provides clear leadership on future planning of the UK’s national infrastructure. Ideas circulated before the election include Sir John Armitt’s recommendations for a National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), or the creation of a full Department for Infrastructure which embraced the NIC. Clearly there is a great deal of desire for a body with high level planning functions that can help secure the much needed long term requirements for the UK and the government would do well to consider such a body.

Finally, the outcome of the election vote across the nations confirms the need to progress with the regional empowerment promised during the election. The implementation of these promises is critical, and ACE is well positioned, through our newly revitalised ACE Regional Group, to work on the development and delivery of appropriate infrastructure investment to secure a balanced economic growth across the UK. Together, we stand stronger as a United Kingdom and industry is keen to work with the newly elected Government to secure the UK’s position in the global economy of nations.”

ACE has never been better placed to use its voice and represent its members and wider industry at the highest levels of the government. And I make this pledge that we will spend the next five years doing just that for you, your business, and the industry.