The Right Honourable David Cameron MP, the Prime Minister, and the Right Honourable George Osborne MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, visited Skanska UK’s head office in Rickmansworth and its M1 Junction 19 improvement project.
The pair used the visit to the Maple Cross HQ to highlight £36 billion of planned investment in infrastructure for 2014/15. They were hosted by Skanska UK’s President and CEO, Mike Putnam. About 500 Skanska employees turned out for a question and answer session with the Prime Minister and Chancellor.
Speaking about Skanska, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “You are helping, quite literally, to build Britain’s future with work you have done on Crossrail, the countless hospitals you have built, some of which I have been to see, the M1 junction, and all of the great buildings you’re putting up in the capital and elsewhere. Infrastructure is an absolutely vital part of our economic plan.”
Chancellor George Osborne welcomed the news that Skanska plans to expand in the UK: “What fantastic news we have just heard about the 1,500 jobs that will be created by this company over the next couple of years. And that is not only a vote of confidence in Britain and the British economy, it’s also a vote of confidence in economic security and the economic security it will bring for the families who will get those jobs.”
Commenting on the event, Mike Putnam said: “The visit reinforces Skanska’s position as a major employer, responsible for delivering some of the most important infrastructure projects in the UK. This includes Highways Agency improvement schemes for the M25 and M1 Junction 19 and the maintenance of a significant proportion of the UK’s road network. We are also delivering seven contracts for Crossrail and we are one of the main contractors delivering Thames Water’s eight2O water infrastructure improvement programme and National Grid’s gas mains replacement programme.
“The Prime Minister’s and Chancellor’s visit also recognises the important role that construction plays in the UK economy. For every £1 spent on construction, an additional £2.84 of economic activity is generated. It was great to hear more about the government’s ongoing commitment to invest in quality infrastructure, essential for economic growth.
“I would like to thank David Cameron and George Osborne for taking the time to visit us today. It was a great honour for our people to be given the opportunity to ask them questions directly.”