So, this is the last full working week of the year, and the last SPRA Weekly News, but we still have a lot of interesting stuff to tell you, so do take a look at all the articles compiled just for you!
On the 13th of December, the CPA published ONS’s economic data saying that overall, output declined 2.3% compared to September, the largest monthly fall since January 2018, driven by
falls in both new work and repair and maintenance. On the same day of course, the country saw the biggest political shift since the 80’s and a Conservative government were returned to parliament with a huge majority and labour had the worst outing since the 1930’s. After speaking with many SPRA members since then, the overwhelming feeling is one of relief that at least now – regardless of your politics – the government has a clear mandate and decisions can be taken. Uncertainty has been the biggest problem for everyone and of course this will continue during the trade talks, but at least we can deal with the decisions and their consequences as they happen.
Personally, I am looking forward to the New Year as 2019 seems to have been unusually challenging on all fronts for an awful lot of people. There have been a few more curve balls this year I think, and it reaffirms the need to ensure we look after and support each other – at work and at home.
I hope that everyone allows themselves a proper break this festive season and we all come back properly refreshed, bouncing and eager to tackle whatever 2020 may throw at us! From a SPRA perspective, we have big plans for the future as well as the two-yearly revision of the SPRA Design Guide which we will launch at the SPRA Conference in June. Have you booked your tickets yet? I am excited at the prospect, and when those curve balls strike, I will remember what my mother used to say in her own inimitable style – “Opportunity from adversity my child”!
Source: Cathie Clarke, SPRA CEO