Get Britain Building campaigners firmly believe that the only option left for Government is to build our way out of recession.
They argue the simple but effective answer to the country’s plight has worked before and will be successful again, quickly stimulating growth by building much-needed housing and generating jobs.
The ‘Jobs and Growth’ campaign was officially launched today at the UK’s Housing Summit addressed by Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey MP and attended by industry leaders from the private and public housing sectors.
Jack Dromey said: “The country is gripped by the biggest housing crisis in a generation and the longest double dip recession since the Second World War.
“The facts are stark. Housebuilding is down, homelessness is up, private rents have hit record highs and we have a mortgage market where people are struggling to get mortgages.
“We have seen Government scheme after Government scheme re-branded, re-packaged and re-press released. But nothing has stopped the remorseless deepening of the housing crisis leading to a 9% contraction of the construction industry, the single biggest reason for the double-dip recession.
"That’s why for Labour, homes, jobs and growth will lie at the heart of our recovery plan for Britain. We will put housing centre-stage in a way it has not been for a generation.”
Get Britain Building campaigners, who are behind the call for a serious targeted stimulus package, argue there is an irrefutable business case for investing in new homes, home improvement and infrastructure.
Their new Jobs and Growth campaign sets out clear recommendations on what measure’s Government and the Banks need to take if we are to build our way out of recession.
Commenting on the launch, Get Britain Building spokesperson Mike Leonard said “The UK needs jobs and growth, and building our way out of recession is now the only solution left to Government”.
“After a golden summer of sporting achievement, we need to capture some of that Olympic spirit, positivity and determination and go for “Gold” in Jobs and Growth.”
Leonard said: “Over the coming months we will work closely with all our local and national politicians, banks and other decision influencers to build the case for Jobs and Growth.
“We have the demand, the will, the land, the materials and the skills to make this happen. With the same level of focus, commitment and pride demonstrated by our athletes this summer, the building industry can lead Britain out of recession.”
