Alok Sharma
Business secretary Alok Sharma has written to construction companies thanking them for their “hugely valued and critical contribution” to the resilience of the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter dated 31 March, Sharma, who served as housing minister between 2017 and 2018, said he wanted to pay tribute to those working “tirelessly” within construction delivering on large and small sites, in builders’ merchants and logistics provides, or producing construction products.
Sharma reiterated that while people should work from home wherever possible, many people in construction were required to travel to their place of work “and they can continue to do so” in line with the chief medical officer’s advice. He urged workers to follow the Site Operating Procedures (SOP) published by the Construction Leadership Council.
He added: “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.”
