Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) – the group which represents the interests of professional consultancies and engineering companies operating in the social and economic infrastructure sectors – comments on the Chancellor’s spring statement:

"The positive macroeconomic picture is good news, although it must be said that the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit will not be helping the OBR to deliver accurate forecasts.

"The Chancellor’s positive updates on some of his previously announced policies, including digital infrastructure, housing, as well as local transport, are all to be welcomed. The announcement that government funding has unlocked 215,000 new homes in the West Midlands and 27,000 affordable homes in London is also good news.

"We hope that in the Chancellor’s upcoming Budget in the autumn, he will continue to recognise infrastructure investment as the key to unlocking regional growth, improving national productivity and creating jobs, notably in giving the green light to projects in our infrastructure project pipeline."

ENDS