Jonathan Reynolds reiterates indsutry鈥檚 importance to Labour鈥檚 growth agenda

Mace chairman Mark Reynolds, Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn and Berkeley divisional managing director Karl Whiteman were among 50 industry leaders taking part in a virtual roundtable with business secretary Jonathan Reynolds on Monday.

The 45-minute meeting was aimed at 鈥渦nblocking barriers to growth and driving investment鈥�, the department for business and trade said.

Also on the call was housing minister Matthew Pennycook with the pair 鈥渟et[ting] out the importance of planning and construction to the government鈥檚 plan for growth鈥�.

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Jonathan Reynolds (centre) with housing secretary Matthew Pennycook

Reynolds said: 鈥淏acked by the certainty of our upcoming industrial strategy, we鈥檙e committed to working in partnership with industry to make sure our reforms deliver for communities in every part of the country. That is why discussions like these are so important, as we work to unblock planning barriers to drive growth and investment.鈥�

One attendee, who declined to be named, said: 鈥淭hey went over all the things they are doing on planning, but there wasn鈥檛 really anything new, no meat on the bone. But it was a useful piece of government engagement.鈥�

>> See also: The 1.5 million-home question: Does the government鈥檚 planning reform programme add up?

>> See also: No industry super-regulator any time soon, experts predict

The government published an updated National Planning Policy Framework in December and is due to unveil a Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will provide powers to accelerate infrastructure and home building, by the spring.

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