Wales needs clarity. I’ve said this before and it will be stressed again. In construction terms, we need a vision that frames what infrastructure the country needs. In a much wider context Wales needs to know what its future means and one big factor casting a shadow over any certainty is Brexit. When you read this, we will know the outcome of debates in Westminster about Article 50. We will also know the outcome of conversations between Prime Minister Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon and the first Minister Carwyn Jones. Will it give us any clarity? Perhaps. Will we have gained any certainty – something critical for the sourcing of investment and allocation of resources for Welsh construction.

One thing is for sure, we can gain some direction because the Welsh Government’s, White Paper, “Securing Wales’ Future: Transition from the European Union to a new relationship with Europe” has now been published www.gov.wales/brexit. Developed jointly by the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, it draws on support from three parties and provides a plan for the negotiations with our partners in Europe on the UK’s exit from the European Union – based on solid evidence that places Wales’ priorities centre stage, but which is designed to work for the UK.

There are still going to be lots of questions, but we all need this sorting out. Any clarity would be good. Uncertainty undermines progress – especially in construction.

Rest assured CEW will keep up pressure on the Government to recognise that construction is a core priority – we need it to work for the good of all us.