Plea for more support for city's construction industry
Dundee Labour group leader Kevin Keenan has said that investment in the construction industry in the city should be a "priority of the Scottish Government."
- Published in the Courier : 01.09.11
- Published online : 01.09.11 @ 03.00pm
He was responding to figures showing there are now 265 unemployed construction workers in Dundee.
Figures on those in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in Dundee show there are 25 bricklayers and masons, 15 roofers, tilers and slaters, 35 plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers, 90 carpenters and joiners, five glaziers, window fabricators and fitters, 10 plasterers, 30 floorers and wall tilers and 55 painters and decorators.
Mr Keenan said: "The health of the construction industry is a good indicator of the overall strength of the economy.
"Today, the shortage of work for 265 skilled construction workers in our city results from the near-standstill in economic growth.
"Instead, investment in our housing and schools is essential in order to boost this skilled sector, upon which so many other supply businesses depend."
'Decisive measures'
He added: "The Scottish Government cut Dundee's affordable housing programme severely in recent years from £10 million to £5.4 million, and we wait to see how well Dundee will fare under their new innovation and investment fund.
"Difficult times call for decisive measures.
"Councils stand ready to play their role in reviving the fortunes of the construction industry which should be a priority for the Scottish Government."
Recently building industry leaders questioned official statistics showing a 10% increase in employment in the Scottish construction sector over the past 12 months.
The figures were quoted by First Minister Alex Salmond as evidence that government efforts to prioritise public investment in capital projects are benefiting the construction industry north of the border, while construction employment south of the border has apparently been flatlining.
Mr Salmond used this evidence to bolster his campaign to secure additional economic powers as part of the Scotland Bill.
03.37pm - 01.09.2011 Stewart Findlay - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
If DCC and other large bodies based in the city used Dundee based construction firms there wouldn't be such a problem. At the moment Dundee is the base for two major construction firms - Brown Construction and Muirfield Contracts as well as many other medium sized construction firms.
03.40pm - 01.09.2011 Stewart Findlay - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
However the council seem to chose firms from outwith the city. Dundee House, Olympia replacement - both out of town firms, Abertay Unialso never use Dundee firms. The list goes on and I'm sure if the companies in this city chose Dundee construction firms for work there would be less men out of work.
01.36am - 02.09.2011 Carl - Dundee, UK Report This
Exactly. There is a case for best price, but the difference in tender surely cannot be that great not to be bridgeable. DCC officials went with an Edinburgh company employing non-Dundonians for Dee1 should have had all 29 councillors asking questions. But then I suspect they don't live here.
01.45am - 02.09.2011 Joe bone - fife, dundee Report This
I agree 100% with mr findlay on this plus these firms outwith dundee go on to employ people from as far away as london, leeds, hull, glasgow. local jobs for local people.
06.22am - 02.09.2011 Council Taxpayer - Dundee, SCOTLAND Report This
I wonder how many of the job seekers are currently working for cash in hand on homers, following pay offs from larger building firms after the scale backs many were forced to make! I am sure big brother will be on the case, won't he Kevin?
01.24pm - 02.09.2011 Dan D Mann - DUNDEE, SCOTLAND Report This
As a council tax payer, my priority is value for money. Why should I pay to subsidise local companies, and their directors' salaries, company cars and other perks, that the tendering process rules out as too expensive? For local companies to win more work they must get more competitive.
01.35pm - 02.09.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
Dundee needs to get behind the offshore wind projects lets get them going now before Edinburgh steel the contracts from Dundee dock! also all the east coast should have these we have very good wind.
01.00am - 03.09.2011 spud - leith, uk Report This
local jobs for local people.????? Sorry, this is,at least, a European market we live in, if not a world wide one! The cheapest labour wins! Edinburgh Station's roof is being re- glazed- any Dundonians willing to travel? The majority of workers are from 'up north' ie Geordie etc.
11.55am - 03.09.2011 C Sedno - Dundee, UK Report This
Spud - Edinburgh's track (excuse the pun) on construction is not great is it!! A joke of a tram project and a vastly inflated parliament building. Maybe should have used Dundee labour eh?
12.10pm - 03.09.2011 Frank - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Yes, local firms should become more competitive, but they are slready at a disadvantage as the big firms can cut profits to the none knowing they can make it on other projects.
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