MPA Welcomes the Government’s New Procurement Guidance for Local Products

The MPA has welcomed the Government’s publication of the new procurement guidance encompassing key construction materials including cement. 

Data published on 13th December indicates how the Government plans to use local construction materials in infrastructure projects across 18 separate projects by 2020, including rail and roads, and construction such as the building and housing refurbishment.

This announcement is in line with the new National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, which set out over £500 billion worth of planned private and public investment over this Parliament and beyond.

Further, changes to procurement guidance announced by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy will make it easier than ever before for UK producers to plan and bid for upcoming government contracts.

Cement and concrete are essential for the development of UK infrastructure and housing. In particular, 90% of housing is constructed from modern masonry, particularly concrete block and these houses can meet and exceed all the new regulations including energy efficiency.

The MPA are working with the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Crown Commercial Service to develop government guidance for local procurement for cement and concrete. This will extend beyond current guidance for designers which advises use of BES6001 to specify responsibly and ethically sourced concrete and masonry.

Responding to this announcement, Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive of the Mineral Products Association said:

“Cement and concrete are essential for UK infrastructure development and housing, and contribute significantly to the UK economy. We welcome this announcement from Greg Clark MP, which re-confirms the Government’s commitment to infrastructure capital expenditure, and supports the future of a local cement industry. The cement and concrete industries employ 18,179 people across the regions, including in rural areas, and are key enablers for the Industrial Strategy.

We will continue to work with officials at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Crown Commercial Service to ensure that this announcement progresses on the ground. We will also continue to press Government to support locally sourced mineral products and ensure local procurement guidance is available to specifiers.”

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