MPA welcomes Minister’s tribute to the construction sector

Business Secretary acknowledges mineral products industry’s essential contribution to construction

THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has today [31 March] welcomed the statement from the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which acknowledges the essential contribution that the mineral products industry is making by supporting the construction industry and wider society.

The Secretary of State (pictured) writes: ‘In these challenging times, I want to pay tribute to all those who are working tirelessly within the construction industry. Delivering on large or small construction sites across the country, in builders’ merchants and logistics providers, or producing construction and mineral products. 

‘Our country and our economy needs all our support. And the construction industry has answered the call to action. Whether by building temporary hospital wards, installing complex and life-saving oxygen systems, constructing the infrastructure that society needs to function or ensuring that people have safe and healthy homes to live in, you are delivering for our nation through this difficult time. My heartfelt and personal thanks for everything that each and every one of you is doing to support our joint national effort.’

Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA, said: ‘We welcome recognition from the Business Secretary of the contribution our members make to construction. His recognition of the important contribution our sector makes, and the essential jobs that cannot be done from home, is a great help and encouragement in these challenging times. The same is true of other important strategic sectors such as agriculture, the utilities and manufacturing more widely, who rely on industrial minerals such as lime and silica sand.’

The full text of the Secretary of State’s letter can be downloaded below.