AT THE
HEART OF HIRE
M A N I F E S T O F O R G R O W T H
It is fair to say the Prime Minister’s decision to call a snap general election three years ahead on 8 June, in little more than a week’s time as you read this, caught virtually all of us by surprise - even members of the Cabinet. Theresa May says Britain needs certainty, stability and strong leadership in the aftermath of the EU Referendum result to leave Europe. Also, if she is elected, she will no longer be tied to the promises made by the Conservative party at the 2015 election, when David Cameron was Prime Minister.
Few would disagree with the view about the need for a stable political background, with the electorate having had to vote in a series of elections in rapid succession. After the Scottish independence referendum for voters north of the border in September 2014, the whole country went to the polls in the May 2015 general election, followed by the EU referendum last June, and then most of the enfranchised population voted in the recent council elections at the beginning of May. For many, perhaps, the forthcoming vote will be regarded with election fatigue, rather than election fever.
Nevertheless, a general election gives the public their say in how the country should be run, and we have done exactly that in this issue. Beginning on page 11, we ask a cross-section of hirers and suppliers what the priorities of the next government should be, whatever its political complexion, to help further the prospects of our industry.
COMMON THEMES
While there are inevitably some differences of opinion, not least because of the varying backgrounds and markets served by each individual’s business, there are a striking number of common themes. One of these is, indeed, the desire for political stability with a government that can pursue policies in a thorough and robust manner, which implies one with a large majority.
Not surprisingly, many express the need to maintain strong, long-term investment in infrastructure development. Some point out that a number of significant projects are already under way or in the pipeline, such as the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station and the HS2 high-speed railway, and that this must be matched by a commitment to invest elsewhere - particularly in the number of new homes needed throughout the country to address demographic changes which have been highlighted for several years.
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Following on from this, several respondents emphasise the need to facilitate such new developments by speeding up and simplifying the process of obtaining planning permission. As one forthright opinion expresses it, “We need a Planning Minister with power to sweep aside the tree huggers and Nimbys, and instruct the planners to grant applications within three months.” Other industry professionals from smaller businesses also highlight the desirability of simplifying - or removing - the red tape involved in dealing with matters ranging from having to handle the administration of workplace pensions, to employing new personnel.
Our industry hopes, therefore, that after 8 June, the political landscape will be so configured as to allow steps to be taken to encourage and strengthen the construction industry and other markets that hirers serve, and to sustain them until the next general election, which would be due in 2022. This is all the more important given the uncertainties surrounding the Brexit negotiations that will take place leading up to the UK leaving the EU in two years’ time.
INDUSTRY IN GOOD HEALTH
However, focusing on the here and now, our industry appears to be in good health, judging by this issue of EHN. For example, our article beginning on page 15 reports on how quickly the specialist hirer, Illumin8, has established itself, serving a growing number of clients in construction, events and other markets, such that it has been significantly expanding its fleet to meet this burgeoning demand. And, beginning on page 18, you can read about the on-going growth of Luscombe Plant Hire in Cumbria, the Winner of the 2017 Executive Hire Show Passionate Hirer Award in the Outstanding Single Depot category. It plans to expand both its hire fleet and its successful retail operation, again to meet local requirements, and it also reports that there is more construction activity planned in its area, which should create further demand.
Indeed, many hirers that EHN has recently been speaking to throughout the country report a similar situation, with new housing developments getting under way in their areas, and they are adding more equipment to their fleets accordingly. Let’s hope that, after 8 June, there is nothing on the horizon to hinder this positive state of affairs.
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