Construction industry leader warns that public-sector assets are at risk

Nearly one-fifth of the £107bn UK construction economy could be eradicated under Treasury plans for 2013-14, according Michael Ankers, the Construction Products Association's chief executive.

He is to lobby the new government to revise plans to reduce capital spending from 3.6 to 1.25 per cent of GDP within four years. Mr Ankers says that if capital spending falls below 2.25 per cent, public sector assets, such as roads and schools, will deteriorate.