All eyes in March were on the last budget before the election to see what boost could be given to construction and surveyor jobs over the next 12 months and beyond. Chancellor Alistair Darling announced what the Government hopes will be a significant further incentive to first time home buyers and a bit of relief to the housing market.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) welcomed the increase in the stamp duty level for first time house buyers, which they said should boost the housing market. However, CPA chief executive, Michael Ankers added: ?it is also important that support continues for existing schemes, such as Home Buy Direct and Kickstart as these are also important in supporting and encouraging the fragile housing market recovery.?

A stronger housing market will hopefully provide confidence in the construction industry and create further construction and surveyor jobs. To some degree the hopes of the first time buyers and anyone hoping to move house will rest with the mortgage lenders, and whether they have the appetite to ease the self imposed restraints they put on lending in the last 18 months.

Whether these and other measures will have the desired effect remains to be seen. With a general election looming in early May the balance of power may well shift giving the country a different party in power. Whoever is in power after the election, let us hope the construction industry is given further encouragement to enable more construction and surveyor jobs to be created.