Comment
So, what will 2017 be like?
The year 2016 will probably go down as one of the most surreal periods in history. I won’t list all of the things that will make it so, as you will be able to furnish your own list of events that you would have put money on ‘not likely to happen’. But whilst you look on in astonishment at both comedies and tragedies, there is one event you cannot escape – Brexit. Brexit will affect us all.
Brexit is already affecting us, bringing uncertainty and splitting the nation unnecessarily, but it cannot and should not be hurried up. The Government has a difficult and complicated task on its hands, the outcome of which will not satisfy the most extreme voices on either side. In the construction industry, we can either soldier on as normal, or, in the true British Tradition, make the best of a lousy situation.
To give a few example, faced with a possible shortage of skilled workers from abroad, we can beef up our own training programmes, instead of just hosting talkshops on the subject. Let loose from the environmental diktats from Brussels, we can set our own targets that will reflect the needs of this country, and which will probably turn out to be more effective, globally, anyway – and, of course, the financials – a battle between survival and the opportunism of investors. Foreign oligarchs looking to protect their money in a secure environment should contribute more for that privilege.
Arguments for and against, of course, but, hey, Christmas is coming and 2017 is sure to be another event filled year. How will it be for you?
David Chadwick
To make sure you get your copy of the Newsletter emailed to you personally, every time, click here to register.
|
