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<p>The most recently published UK Construction Purchasing Manager’s Index, for October
2014, indicated a strong overall increase in UK construction output albeit with slightly
weaker growth than in previous months. The index remains much higher than the long-run
average and the industry is optimistic about the future.</p><p> </p><p>The Department
for Business, Innovation and Skills continues to support the industry by working with
the industry to remove barriers to growth by improving the planning system, access
to finance, and easing the burden of regulation.</p><p> </p><p>On the demand side,
we are stimulating the house building industry - in Autumn Statement 2013 my Rt. Hon.
Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £1bn extension of the Local Infrastructure
Fund for large scale housing sites, to unlock around 250,000 homes over 6 years. We
are also stimulating infrastructure development. The National Infrastructure Plan
(NIP) sets a strategic vision for forthcoming infrastructure needs. It has identified
a pipeline of over 500 projects costing around £250bn to 2015 and beyond.</p><p> </p><p>On
the supply side, we are working closely with the Construction Leadership Council to
ensure that the industry is well placed to respond to growing markets, tackling issues
such as skills, innovation, sustainability, productivity, efficiency and export performance.</p><p>
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