New Government must commit to long-term infrastructure plan, says leading Midlands Construction Leader

One of the Midlands’ biggest construction companies today called on the new Government to commit to long-term investment in UK infrastructure.

Paul Inions is managing director of McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd, which delivered the £3.1m Snow Hill station public realm works for Birmingham City Centre and is celebrating 60 years in business in 2024.

Mr Inions said: “Being in business this long means we’ve seen general elections and Prime Ministers come and go. But one thing we know for sure is that a change in Government sparks confidence and brings more certainty.

“This is what business needs, particularly in our sector, where investment is often significant and delays expensive.

“We’ve delivered more than 140 projects as principal contractor with a combined value of £300million in the last five years. In that time, we’ve seen supply chains and sub-contractors struggle, the skills gap increase and massive projects, including HS2, pulled with all the knock-on implications clear to see.

“We need to see Sir Keir Starmer and his new Labour Government commit to its key ambition to deliver a strategic long-term programme of investment in the nation’s “crumbling infrastructure” in the King’s Speech later this month.

“If hitting the ground running means immediate actions to reform the planning regime to increase house building targets, I welcome that, but we also need the infrastructure to support this with hospitals and schools.”

Mr Inions also highlighted the need to invest in training of young people to provide them with the skills required, saying business could take the lead but would need the support of Government.

“We are also hoping the Prime Minister will look at what communities need and who is best placed to help them thrive. Our people here at McPhillips are our most important asset and not one of the 240 people we employ has been unaffected by the rising cost of living, compounding the after-effects of a devasting pandemic.

“We congratulate all our new MPs and urge them to work collectively on the challenges we face here. After 4 years of turbulence brought about by Brexit, Covid and worldwide conflict, I am optimistic for the future and look forward to welcoming our local MPs to our Telford headquarters or to tour one of our latest award-winning projects very soon,” he added.