The UK Government can work better with industry to develop policies that give greater certainty and confidence to industry and encourage investment, innovation and growth, according to a report from the Construction Products Association.

In the second in a series of projects that the Association is contributing to support the Industrial Strategy for Construction, the report – A Study of the Factors Underpinning Investment in the Construction Products Industry – seeks to understand the economic, political and regulatory risks which may be influencing investment, showcases examples of policies with positive and negative impacts, and advises on a best practice approach to regulation and policy.

The report also features results of two surveys of Association and industry executives regarding both the impact of energy costs, supply and security on investment and their views towards specific policies such as Part L, the National Infrastructure Plan, Help to Buy, the Energy Company Obligation, Green Deal and the EU Emissions Trading System.

The key findings of the report include:

John Sinfield, MD of Knauf Insulation and chair of the Construction Products Association, said: “In the construction products industry, many companies trade on a multi-national scale and, as a result, have a choice of where they base their manufacturing. One of the major challenges faced today by both the UK Government and UK business leaders is ensuring that this country is viewed as a favourable location to invest.

“There is such a thing as ‘good regulation’ and policy,” he continued. “It supports the market, sets high standards and provides industry with a clear view of the way forward. It motivates business to develop innovative products and solutions and invest in future opportunities.

“Ultimately however, the regulatory framework must be seen by business as stable, concise and predictable over the long-term. And always, industry must be consulted fully.”

The Association also offers several recommendations to industry which, it says, needs to demonstrate leadership and play its part in helping develop effective policy and regulation. This could be done by working together to establish a consensus and: