Ensuring infrastructure a ‘defining challenge of the coming years’

The economy will grow at a fair clip but the lack of housing, transport, and childcare is holding back business expansion plans and could shape up as the biggest challenge facing the country, Ibec has said.

The employers’ group predicts the economy will expand by over 3% next year, and inflation will only rise to 1.3%, but growth will moderate as businesses find it harder to recruit staff, amid shortages in urban areas.