EMPLOYERS’ group the CBI has highlighted the crucial role that the construction sector has to play as a job-creator and key player in the infrastructure renewal urgently needed for economic growth.

Speaking at the launch of the UK Contractors Group’s new campaign, Creating Britain’s Future, Rhian Kelly, CBI director for business environment, said: “Our analysis shows that the construction sector has the potential to create 215,000 jobs across the UK and throughout the supply chain.

“It is more important than ever that we recognise the role of construction, both as a catalyst for local job creation across the UK in the short-term, and as the lead mover in the £250bn infrastructure renewal needed to underpin economic growth in the long-term.

“To get spades in the ground on infrastructure delivery, there must be an urgent focus across the UK on bringing forward repair, maintenance and improvement projects, for example on roads, to deliver immediate and tangible results in terms of local jobs and growth.”

The CBI recently published a report on the construction sector’s potential for growth creation, called Bridging the Gap – Backing the Construction Sector to Generate Jobs.