Business leaders have met with government officials to discuss the best ways of keeping the economy working while restructure plans are put in place for a future out of the European Union.

Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, delivered a message of significant challenges ahead, but took positives from the economic success the country has enjoyed over the last few years which means the UK is now better placed to withstand the current turbulence in the market and plan for a more positive future, insisting that the UK will remain ‘open for business’.

Chartered surveyor Ann Bentley, of the Construction Leadership Council and Rider Levett Bucknall, represented the construction industry at the business roundtable event, although the extent of her contribution to the discussions has not been disclosed.

Also in attendance at the meeting was Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of CBI, who said that the government must maintain its commitments to infrastructure spending.

She commented that through adequate communication the government must demonstrate that the UK is ‘open for business’ along with further investment including keeping spending decisions and crucial infrastructure projects on the right track.

Meanwhile, Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary, was quick to support the message and said in his speech that investment in infrastructure is now more rather than less important although there is still much to work through and questions that need answering.

He commented that as decisions are made about the industry’s future in the coming weeks and months, it is of pivotal importance that the UK is seen to be ‘open for business’ and available to build the infrastructure projects required to compete.

There is also a great amount of worry about the loss of EU structural funds throughout the UK, with the cabinet secretary for the Welsh government, Mark Drakeford, stating that he will do his upmost to make sure that Wales does not suffer from funding cuts.