2013: Projects, politics and positivity

摘要

As 2013 dawned, the construction industry was practically still in January, hunkering down in a cold, wet month that set the tone for what was widely expected to be another year of misery. But while the industry and the wider economy continued to suffer, with no sign yet that George Osborne's austerity plan was working, government ministers gave themselves a pat on the back for managing to stay together, 'renewing their vows' at the midway point of their electoral term. Infrastructure was at the heart of its new pledges and would remain high on the political agenda, with policies on housing, roads spending, energy and rail all coming up for intense debate.