The clocks go forward this weekend and spring is here. In fact, it feels like those famous green shoots once mentioned by a former Conservative Chancellor might be beginning to flourish. But we have to still focus on what we believe in – collaborative working, sound procurement processes and a long term value. In short things look good – but let’s not lose sight of how we got here.

Indeed, if we cut through the politics around the Budget, we find the UK Government has given construction a clear vote of confidence with the publication of the Government Construction Strategy. Not only does it set out a plan to deliver £1.7 billion efficiencies and 20,000 apprenticeships, but it also outlines ambitions for smarter procurement, fairer payment, improving digital skills, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing client capability. This is all consistent with the wider ambitions for industry in Construction 2025, which is being delivered by industry and government through the Construction Leadership Council – but it clearly echoes the work pursued by the wider Constructing Excellence movement and especially the work of CEW and its stakeholders in Wales.

Who knows if George Osborne really gets construction beyond wearing a hi-vis tabard at every photo opportunity. It doesn’t matter. The important thing is that the work of CEW and its other CE colleagues and the evidence collated by the industry and disseminated via Exemplar Projects and Demonstration Programmes and debated and learned via Best Practice Clubs. What we do really matters. Our actions and our successful projects all point the way forward. But, we need to keep going. We do not want to stop now despite things picking up. Now, more than ever, we have to pursue the best practice agenda.