The UK construction industry is the sixth largest industry in the UK in terms of turnover. During the last decade, it has undergone an unprecedented period of self-examination, including input from most of the leaders of the major suppliers and clients as well as from leading politicians, civil servants and political advisers. From 1993 to 2003, government and industry collaborated closely to achieve political and structural change in the industry and to bring about nothing less than a re-organization of the way it undertakes its business. This key text is an objective presentation of the critical issues inherent in the construction industry during this time.

Providing invaluable source material for students of government/industry relations, industry practitioners and clients, and for economic and social commentators, this valuable resource draws on revealing personal accounts from politicians, civil servants, advisers and industry leaders, as well as factual reportage, archives and official papers of the period.

Informative and enlightening, this book objectively details and documents exactly what happened at this time, and the reasons for it, and offers an unbiased interpretation of the successes or failures of the various initiatives that emerged, including the Movement for Innovation, Rethinking Construction and Constructing Excellence.