In response to the recent announcement about the £1.4bn Covid recovery package for Liverpool, Sean Keyes Managing Director of Civil & Structural Engineering firm, Sutcliffe offers his thoughts.
“I remain buoyant about the construction sector – it will be this sector that is instrumental in getting the UK and city region economy back motoring again – and it is encouraging to see our city region leaders getting behind us in such unprecedented times. This report is absolutely essential – particularly the plans to create 12,000 construction roles and more than 9,700 apprenticeships – we must continue to invest in our youth as it is they who will drive the city region forward.
“Liverpool has been riding the crest of a wave in recent years and we must be bold in our endeavours to continue that momentum and to lead from the front by building back bigger, better, and greener. If this pandemic has taught us anything it is how we all need to better look after our planet and food chain.
“In terms of spending to counter the impact of the pandemic, the UK has spent 100% of its annual GDP – this is far lower than some other countries, so there is money to be spent. To do nothing would be imprudent. We have to act now to speed up the country’s recovery.”