Builders Group To Lobby Ministers At Stormont

Members of the Construction & Property Group are taking their fight to save thousands of jobs in the sector to the heart of Northern Ireland government.

This Monday up to 100 members from the newly-formed organisation, who represent both major players and smaller firms, will tell Stormont ministers that the group has already been forced to shed 2,500 jobs because of the downturn in the market, and warn them that this figure could double by Christmas.

Construction & Property Group spokesperson Brendan Cunnane said the organisation had signed up representatives from more than 90 companies from across Northern Ireland in less than two months.

Mr Cunnane said: "The construction sector has always had a key role to play in the development of the local economy. However, time is running out to save it.

"There have been some small-scale initiatives recently which we welcome but, collectively, the main local banks are continuing to fail the local economy by demonstrating an inability to enter into meaningful and constructive dialogue with their customers and putting self-interest before the delivery of a coherent recovery strategy that is undoubtedly required to restore employment to this key sector.

"It is surely not unreasonable to expect a higher level of pro-activity from the banks in response to a crisis that is nearing its first anniversary.

"This isn't just about building workers either. Solicitors, surveyors and architects are also finding their jobs at risk - not to mention the army of self-employed plumbers, electricians and joiners that rely on the housing market to support their families."

The Construction & Property Group was created following a series of public meetings during July, bringing together developers, builders, contractors, suppliers and those involved in the professional services affected by the crisis in the residential construction sector.

The Construction and Property Group is calling for:

• A commitment from all the major financial institutions that they will not take any steps which would further destabilise the market
• Local financial institutions to reintroduce liquidity into the market by ensuring that affordable mortgages are available, particularly to first time buyers
• The reintroduction, and adequate funding, of co-ownership by the Executive
• An urgent review of the comprehensive spending review by the Executive to improve availability of social housing and shared equity schemes

The group is now looking to increase its membership and has called on those involved in the construction industry across Northern Ireland to join the group.

(PR/JM)