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The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) cautiously welcomes today’s Pre-Budget Report. ACE was particularly pleased to see Alistair Darling’s announcement supporting the financing of carbon capture and storage projects.
The Chancellor’s statement included some further positive announcements for the consultancy and engineering industry. These included £160 million of investment in low carbon and renewable projects as well as £500 million to invest in small businesses.
Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE chief executive, said: “I am pleased that the Chancellor has indicated a positive direction of travel. However, the devil will be in the detail. We need to know how these initiatives will be put into practice before they can be welcomed fully.”
ACE believes that pressures on public sector finances mean that concrete plans for implementation need to be provided urgently. There was disappointment at the lack of support to address the likely engineering skills shortages that will accompany the recovery.
Nelson Ogunshakin added: “Addressing the resilience of the UK’s vital infrastructure and filling the looming energy gap are key priorities and engineering will have a key role in devising the solutions. Today’s announcements are a starting point but there is still much more to do to engage the UK consulting and engineering sector so that it leads the global agenda on the low carbon economy.”
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For press information please contact Simon Goldie on 020 7227 1892 or 07905 279328 – sgoldie@acenet.co.uk
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