In the Viewpoint column of PBM’s December edition, Editor Paul Davies reflected on a year of unprecendented challenge.
It is customary in our December issue to offer an appraisal of the year gone by. This time last year, for instance, we were considering the events which led to a General Election being called and lamenting the political machinations which had caused the “inertia (that was) clearly impacting the economy in general and the construction industry in particular.”
Little did we know that would be a relative highpoint in comparison to what was to follow.
So, how does one even start to reflect on what we have seen since? I’m conscious of not wanting to repeat what has been discussed previously in this column over the last few months, but it is alarming to think that in many ways, we’re in a very similar place as we were back in late March with various forms of lockdown, social distancing measures and numerous other restrictions affecting the way we conduct business and go about our daily lives.
Even the old ‘Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives’ mantra has made a recent reappearance at the front and centre of government communications.
Of course, huge steps have actually been taken forward. The learned experience of the year means the NHS can manage treatment of the disease far better; tangible hopes of an effective vaccine are in now sight and, albeit belatedly and still with a number of flaws, a new round of support measures for businesses and individuals will provide much-needed assistance for those whose work is still constrained by the pandemic.
There is a clearer picture on the restrictions facing merchants and their customers, whilst in more broad terms, the Government continues to place the building industry at the heart of the nation’s post-Covid recovery plan.
To view the situation from the other side, the industry’s response to the crisis appears to have been nothing short of remarkable. With close cooperation and communication enhanced throughout, it has demonstrated considerable flexibility and agility when it was needed most to not just keep on trading in challenging circumstances, but in many cases absolutely thrive.
Sadly, this race is far from run but if there are any moments of respite to be had, it is well worth pausing and reflecting on what has been achieved.
“Sadly, this race is far from run but if there are any moments of respite to be had, it is well worth pausing and reflecting on what has been achieved.”
With the end of the EU transition period now just days away, we cannot finish this column without making reference to Brexit and, at the time of writing, a deal is yet to be agreed. Whilst the majority of construction products are made in the UK, around a quarter are imported and therefore on this and a range of other issues — from certification standards to employment practices — the industry must be fully prepared for the change, irrespective of the outcome of any final negotiations.
A number of these topics are covered in detail later in the issue, along with signposts to a plethora of sector-focused additional information which we hope you will find useful. Please click here to read the full December edition online.
