Two of the main trade associations have responded to Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement today.  

They're both pretty much on-message, although Steve Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Plant-hire Association (pictured) summed up the general feeling, saying: “Today's Spring Statement has failed to address the challenges facing the construction sector arising from the National Insurance hike and proposed reforms to inheritance tax. These changes threaten the existence of thousands of family-owned businesses in the construction sector.

"If Labour truly wants to drive growth it must urgently reconsider its approach and assess the real-world impact of these changes. Family firms are the backbone of the construction industry, so if the government wants homes built and infrastructure projects delivered on time, it has to support those independent, family-run companies doing the actual work.”

Meanwhile, CEA Director Viki Bell was more concerned about training, and the need for the government to deliver on its ambitious housebuilding targets:

“Labour’s ambition to fix the planning system and unlock housebuilding is positive in principle – and the OBR’s suggestion that reforms could take us to a forty-year high in delivery is encouraging. However, much of what was discussed today has already been announced, and there was very little new information for the construction equipment sector. 
 
"The commitment to build 1.3 million homes and bring the target within ‘touching distance’ of 1.5 million is ambitious, and we continue to monitor this pledge. The £600 million to train 60,000 construction workers and set up ten technical excellence colleges is a step in the right direction, and we will work to ensure this is delivered and aligned with industry needs."

We've yet to hear from the HAE, but we'll update this if/when they decide to speak up.