The construction industry has raised concerns over Liberal Democrat policies after the leaders鈥� TV debate raised the possibility of the party helping to form the next government.

The party would abandon Labour鈥檚 plans to build nuclear power stations and prisons. It would also raise VAT on new-build housing and take on aspects of the Tories鈥� localism agenda.

Stephen Ratcliffe, director of the UK Contractors Group, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e disappointed with the curb on nuclear in particular, and very unhappy to see the planning regime appearing to go backwards.鈥�

John Slaughter, director of policy at the Home Builders Federation, said: 鈥淚t is perplexing that there is not a single positive policy for encouraging private sector new-build housing.鈥�

Meanwhile, writing in 好色先生TV this week, Labour leader Gordon Brown pledged to 鈥渟ee through鈥� the 拢55bn 好色先生TV Schools for the Future programme, if elected.

On housing, he said this year marked the 鈥渓argest council housebuilding programme for two decades鈥�. He added: 鈥淲e will allow councils to keep all rent receipts from their tenants. As they use that to reduce their debt, they will be given flexibility to refocus on building homes.鈥�

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