To support its drive to forge new trading relationships post-Brexit, the government has set up the 聽trade advisory groups (TAGs) 鈥渢o help inform the government鈥檚 negotiating position and deliver key industry asks that benefit the whole UK鈥�.
Brewers, distillers, food producers, financial services, car makers, chemical companies and even pop stars are all being brought in for the big trade push. But there is no place for construction of any kind.
The 11 TAGs are:
- Agri-Food
- Automotive, Aerospace and Marine
- British Manufacturing and Consumer Goods
- Investment
- Life Sciences
- Tech and Telecoms
- Chemicals
- Financial Services
- Professional Advisory Services
- Transport Services
- Creative Industries
Each group comprises a dozen or so individuals 鈥� but there is no one from the construction supply chain on any of them.
The full list of the trade advisory groups can be found at
Britain exported 拢7.7bn of building materials and components in 2019, up from 拢6bn in 2013. The EU accounted for 拢4.36bn of these exports last year, compared to 拢3.37bn to the rest of the work.
However, if the government is to achieve its of reducing the balance of trade deficit in building materials to 拢3bn, the UK needs to export a lot more. Imports have risen from 拢12bn in 2013 to 拢17.8bn in 2019 鈥� meaning that the building materials industry鈥檚 trade deficit has widened from 拢6bn to more than 拢10bn.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
