The government wants to reduce energy costs for businesses as part of its ‘industrial strategy’.
It will launch a “British industrial competitiveness scheme” from 2027, with automotive, aerospace and chemicals companies being exempt from green regulations.
It also wants to speed up grid connections with a “connections accelerator service” launching later this year, which should ensure factories, energy generators and homes can connect to the grid.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “Construction will build the premises that businesses need, deliver the homes which stop brain drain, and ensure the infrastructure, such as transport or energy, can support investment.
“It is therefore heartening to see a government understand that without a healthy construction industry, growth is neither deliverable nor sustainable.
“Alongside the targeted approaches to encourage investors and investment, the nod to spatial planning and regional strategy is hugely important and will ensure opportunity is spread across the nation, while building on and growing specific sectors that develops the UK economy.”
The government has upped the British Business Bank’s capacity to £25.6 billion to back innovative companies, particularly SMEs.
The eight growth-driving sectors identified by the government are: advanced manufacturing, creative industries, clean energy industries, digital and technologies, professional and business services, life sciences, financial services, and defence.
Beresford added: “Cheaper energy. More certain planning processes. Stronger supply chains. More skilled workers. All these are a recipe for success, and as the enabler of the growth, the construction industry stands alongside the government to achieve them.”