Weekly News Bulletin – 1st December 2017

This week we shared news of the UK Government’s industrial strategy, which is focused on building on the UK’s strengths through five foundations, including ideas, places and infrastructure. One of the reactions we saw was an insightful opinion piece from The Guardian, which placed a strong focus on the finer details of the strategy, such as the skills shortage.

On a similar topic, Construction Europe reported that the UK government has agreed to a sector deal to grow the construction sector whilst supporting the UK’s economy. With nearly 80% of the construction products used in the UK being manufactured in the UK, we look forward to the results of the government’s commitment to the construction sector. We’d love to know your thoughts.

There was also news that the UK government will be investing around £170m into environmental initiatives for the construction sector over the following three years. Here at Metsec, we try our upmost to be as sustainable and reduce our environmental footprint as much as possible. You can read more about our commitments, such as energy monitoring and targeting, below.

We also shared news from TheBusinessDesk that Meggit is set to build a £130m factory in Coventry creating 1000 jobs with the site scheduled to be open by the end of 2019.

Finally, we reported that UK exports and imports of construction equipment have seen as 21% increase. As we see 2018 come to a close, this is positive news that is attributed to improving demand overseas and the benefit of the weak pound exchange rate following the Brexit referendum.

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What the Government’s industrial strategy means for UK manufacturing

The UK Government has launched its industrial strategy, a long term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.
https://www.pesmedia.com/government-industrial-strategy-means-uk-manufacturing/#MetsecDaily

Industrial strategy must consider the workers too

Reactions to the UK’s new industrial strategy and to the 59% fall in apprentice numbers
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/29/industrial-strategy-must-consider-the-workers-too

UK sector deal welcomed

The UK government and the construction sector have agreed a sector deal – a partnership between the government and industry on sector-specific issues that can create significant opportunities to boost productivity, employment, innovation and skills, according to the government.
https://www.khl.com/construction-europe/uk-sector-deal-welcomed/130476.article

Construction’s Sector Deal majors on cutting carbon

BEIS releases more detail about one of the first Sector Deals under the Industrial Strategy, revealing ambitions to cut carbon emissions in built environment by 50 per cent
https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3022103/constructions-sector-deal-majors-on-cutting-carbon

Sustainability at Metsec

https://www.metsec.com/about-us/company/sustainability/environmental-impacts-steel/

£130m engineering hub to house 1,000 jobs

Aerospace and defence engineering group Meggitt is to build a £130m factory in Coventry that will be home to 1,000 people.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2012548-130m-engineering-hub-house-1000-jobs

UK exports and imports of construction equipment are up 21% in Q3 2017

UK exports of construction and earthmoving equipment remained buoyant for the first nine months 2017, showing a 21% increase compared with the same period 2016.
http://www.worldhighways.com/categories/auctions-equipment-supply-servicing-finance/news/uk-exports-and-imports-of-construction-equipment-are-up-21-in-q3-2017/