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20/05/2011
Construction Industry 'Declines Further'
Northern Ireland's construction industry has continued to suffer significantly from cuts in public spending and the wider economic malaise during the first quarter of 2011.
Construction activity continued to fall significantly in first few months of the year, according to the RICS Construction Market Survey.
Northern Ireland remains the UK region with the largest number of construction sector chartered surveyors experiencing declining workloads, with a net balance of -68, compared to a UK average of +5.
This was a deterioration from the final quarter of 2010 when the balance was -52.
The net balances for workload expectations, employment expectations and profit expectations remain deeply negative, according to the survey. No respondents to the survey reported blue collar shortages.
RICS Northern Ireland Sonstruction spokesman, Jim Sammon, said that it is important the new Executive puts in place measures to support the continued investment in Northern Ireland's infrastructure.
"Whilst the outlook remains very challenging, there are things that can be done to create an enabling environment for the construction sector. These include the fast-tracking of economically important planning applications, and introducing domestic water charging to help ensure that money is available for capital spending.
"Joined up working in government is also extremely important to ensure that an efficient and prioritised investment strategy that delivers where and when it is needed.
"The reform of public sector procurement also needs to continue to enhance transparency and maximise awareness of the opportunities for local suppliers and contractors," said Mr Sammon.
In advance of the Assembly election, RICS Northern Ireland recently launched its own manifesto 'Creating a Vibrant and Sustainable Economy', which set out the organisation's positions on key policy areas.
These include calling for reform of the planning system, including the fast-tracking of renewable energy projects and projects that are of significant economic importance; the continued reform of public sector procurement to enhance transparency and to maximise opportunities for local suppliers and contractors; and for government departments and Executive Ministers to work in a joined up manner to create a prioritised and efficient investment strategy that delivers infrastructure where and when it is needed.
(GK/BMcC)
Construction activity continued to fall significantly in first few months of the year, according to the RICS Construction Market Survey.
Northern Ireland remains the UK region with the largest number of construction sector chartered surveyors experiencing declining workloads, with a net balance of -68, compared to a UK average of +5.
This was a deterioration from the final quarter of 2010 when the balance was -52.
The net balances for workload expectations, employment expectations and profit expectations remain deeply negative, according to the survey. No respondents to the survey reported blue collar shortages.
RICS Northern Ireland Sonstruction spokesman, Jim Sammon, said that it is important the new Executive puts in place measures to support the continued investment in Northern Ireland's infrastructure.
"Whilst the outlook remains very challenging, there are things that can be done to create an enabling environment for the construction sector. These include the fast-tracking of economically important planning applications, and introducing domestic water charging to help ensure that money is available for capital spending.
"Joined up working in government is also extremely important to ensure that an efficient and prioritised investment strategy that delivers where and when it is needed.
"The reform of public sector procurement also needs to continue to enhance transparency and maximise awareness of the opportunities for local suppliers and contractors," said Mr Sammon.
In advance of the Assembly election, RICS Northern Ireland recently launched its own manifesto 'Creating a Vibrant and Sustainable Economy', which set out the organisation's positions on key policy areas.
These include calling for reform of the planning system, including the fast-tracking of renewable energy projects and projects that are of significant economic importance; the continued reform of public sector procurement to enhance transparency and to maximise opportunities for local suppliers and contractors; and for government departments and Executive Ministers to work in a joined up manner to create a prioritised and efficient investment strategy that delivers infrastructure where and when it is needed.
(GK/BMcC)
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The divergence in performance between the construction sector in Northern Ireland and in other parts of the UK grew further in the second quarter of the year. This is according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Market Survey for the second quarter of 2011.
RICS Highlights Construction Contraction
The divergence in performance between the construction sector in Northern Ireland and in other parts of the UK grew further in the second quarter of the year. This is according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Market Survey for the second quarter of 2011.
16 December 2010
Building Jobs Losses Hit NI Dole Figure
The construction sector has again been highlighted as a major factor in rising unemployment levels. Figures released today for the period August - October 2010 show that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate has increased over the quarter to reach 7.6%.
Building Jobs Losses Hit NI Dole Figure
The construction sector has again been highlighted as a major factor in rising unemployment levels. Figures released today for the period August - October 2010 show that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate has increased over the quarter to reach 7.6%.
26 September 2003
The New Sector Skills Council For Construction
Charles Clarke, the Secretary for State for Education, has given the green light to the new sector skills council for the construction industry. Known as ConstructionSkills, the new SSC will comprise CITBGB in partnership with CITBNI (Northern Ireland) and CIC (Construction Industry Council).
The New Sector Skills Council For Construction
Charles Clarke, the Secretary for State for Education, has given the green light to the new sector skills council for the construction industry. Known as ConstructionSkills, the new SSC will comprise CITBGB in partnership with CITBNI (Northern Ireland) and CIC (Construction Industry Council).
14 April 2003
Construction Sector SMEs Show Continued Growth
The construction sector's small and medium-sized businesses continue to buck the downward trend of the UK economy in the first quarter of 2003 with buoyant levels of business activity and new orders, according to the 'PKF SME Index', a quarterly survey of 800 SMEs operating in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors.
Construction Sector SMEs Show Continued Growth
The construction sector's small and medium-sized businesses continue to buck the downward trend of the UK economy in the first quarter of 2003 with buoyant levels of business activity and new orders, according to the 'PKF SME Index', a quarterly survey of 800 SMEs operating in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors.
15 May 2002
Construction conference visits Northern Ireland
As part of an ongoing programme of information conferences, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is holding its first ever event in Northern Ireland. The half-day conference - which is being organised jointly with the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA) - will be held on Thursday 23 May at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown.
Construction conference visits Northern Ireland
As part of an ongoing programme of information conferences, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is holding its first ever event in Northern Ireland. The half-day conference - which is being organised jointly with the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA) - will be held on Thursday 23 May at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
