Beard comments on ONS output - Don't let materials shortage undermine industry comeback from ground zero

12 May 2021

Fraser Johns, Beard financial director said: “Within 24 hours of the Queen’s Speech outlining key government plans for training and skills, today’s output figures from the ONS serve to underline how crucial that is for the future.

“The construction industry has come through the biggest economic shock since the second world war, with continuing levels of growth getting us back to pre-pandemic levels in March.

“An increase in demand and confidence boosted by the vaccine rollout and a roadmap out the crisis has played its part. Now the challenge is to build on that success by ensuring we attract the talented professionals required to take our industry forward.

“But in the short term we also have a significant challenge to face in terms of materials shortages, which in many areas is verging on a crisis. As an industry we have to find ways to work around and plan ahead with supply chains to mitigate any serious delays, otherwise we’re in real danger of undermining our comeback from ground zero a year ago.”