Close to two thirds of firms added that the UK’s planning system was an obstacle to business.
But the CBI also said the Chancellor’s autumn statement contained encouraging news for the building sector, including details of the Funded Construction Pipeline and infrastructure spending.
And more than three-quarters of firms plan to maintain or increase spending levels on training and investment in apprentices in the coming year.
Meanwhile nearly half of small and medium-sized businesses have struggled to get finance in the past 12 months while more than a third of SMEs said they expected further deterioration of the availability of finance over the coming year.
And over the next five years 86% of firms expect public spending cuts to have a significant or very significant negative impact on their business.
Dr Neil Bentley, deputy director-general of the CBI, said: “Construction firms are facing tough operating conditions and they are clear about what can be done to give the sector a boost. Firms want certainty and they need guaranteed infrastructure spending to deliver it.
“Now the sector has grounds for optimism. The Chancellor’s autumn statement outlined the Construction Pipeline and increased the government’s commitment to housing and spending on roads, rail, energy and other crucial infrastructure.”
