With Labour returning to power with a huge parliamentary majority following a collapse in support for the Conservatives, the industry has reacted to the July 4 election results.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said it was a monumental moment for the UK – and an opportunity for Labour to prove it will deliver on the changes it has committed to.
“Its manifesto doesn’t have all the answers, but it shows ambition – not least to tackle the housing crisis by boosting the delivery of high-quality homes and fixing our broken planning system,” said.
“The time for bold, decisive action to deliver a safer, greener and more equitable built environment is now.
“We look forward to working together over the coming years – bringing architects’ expertise to the table to solve the complex challenges our country faces.”
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has stressed the importance of the construction industry and the crucial role it plays in improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes in all areas of the UK.
Eddie Tuttle, Director for Policy, External Affairs and Research at CIOB, said: “A new government offers the opportunity to build new relationships with policymakers and help them understand the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
“We look forward to working with the Labour Government to help deliver on their manifesto commitments, which included building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament (2024-2029), reforming the planning system, delivering a Warm Homes Plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of 5 million homes, and developing a national industrial strategy to drive economic growth.
“But to do this, we and the new Government must be realistic about the challenges the construction industry is facing, notably the shrinking skills base and the ageing construction workforce, with significant numbers of workers retiring and a lack of new entrants joining.
“Our pre-election manifesto made it clear the current apprenticeship system and its funding mechanisms need reviewing as a matter of priority to make sure training is affordable and relevant. It must also ensure the correct incentives are in place to drive construction businesses to recruit the number of qualified professionals needed to deliver the new government’s manifesto aims. Without a stable pipeline of competent workers, there are significant risks to the delivery and feasibility of housing and infrastructure projects and the new Government will struggle to meet its own targets along with the needs of communities up and down the country.”
Eddie concluded: “The construction sector is reliant on stability, and we urge the Labour Government to ensure consistency and longevity with policy making and its communications with industry. A first step is to ensure the next Minister for Housing holds the brief for the long term so meaningful relationships can be formed between them and experts within the sector to create policies that work for us all. Furthermore, given the strategic importance of the construction sector, we believe it should be recognised as such at Cabinet Minister level.”
The Labour Party’s historic General Election victory offers an opportunity to tackle the UK’s housing crisis, both in terms of building new homes but also upgrading the ones we have, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented: “The election of the new Labour Government offers a fresh start to get Britain building. Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million new houses over the next five years, and upgrade five million existing homes, are ambitious targets but very much needed if the growing housing crisis is to be addressed. The success of Labour’s housing targets will very much depend on two key issues being addressed. First, the need to reform the planning system to make it easier and quicker to build. Secondly, the urgent need to tackle the skills crisis ensuring we have enough skilled workers in the construction industry to build the homes needed.
“For too long local authority planning departments have been underfunded with the result that planning applications have been held up. Additional funding for planning departments offers hope that the planning process will speed up to deliver the homes that are needed. A long-term training and skills plan to tackle the shortage of construction workers is desperately needed, as is the need for some form of minimum competency level for builders to ensure quality homes are built, and the ones we have are upgraded to the best standards.
“The FMB will work closely with the new Government to help ensure its housing pledges are delivered, and that Britain’s builders can play their part to boost much needed economic growth.”
BRE welcomed new UK government and calls for decarbonisation of the built environment.
Gillian Charlesworth, CEO of the Building Research Establishment (BRE), commented on the result of the UK election: “I want to congratulate the Prime Minister and his Government on their appointment and look forward to the implementation of ambitious manifesto pledges to decarbonise the UK economy and drive the energy transition forward."
“This Parliament begins as the UK finds itself at a major crossroads on its net zero journey. The international scientific community is clear that significant progress must be made by 2030 to reduce emissions and limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C. "
For over 40 years, BRE has championed the impacts of transformation in the built environment not only on the climate, but on societal, health and economic outcomes.
“With the built environment being the UK’s second largest source of carbon emissions, it is imperative the Government’s upcoming industrial strategy is delivered in close partnership with the sector to unlock and accelerate action towards the clean heat transition, improving existing housing stock and leading the way on building standards," she added.
The Labour Party’s landslide victory in the 2024 General Election indicates a significant shift in the political landscape, with several key implications for the construction industry.
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “After the NFB’s decade long commitment to lobbying government for planning reform, Labour’s recognition of the impacts of a broken planning system is encouraging, and its commitment to fixing the planning system and drive growth through strategic reform is a positive step for our industry. If these promises are fulfilled we can look ahead to more homes, better infrastructure, and stronger businesses.”
Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight at the NFB, said: “Although planning reform, infrastructure development, and support for SMEs is welcomed, there is a precedent of such plans facing setbacks. The Labour Party must, therefore, provide reassurance that these reforms will be implemented successfully and without delay.
The Labour Party manifesto raised some concerns over the lack of specific details on essential policy positions, for example, the grey area around promoting biodiversity and tackling pollution. What the construction industry now needs as we transition to a Labour Government, is clarity, detailed policy plans, and realistic timelines on the outcome of these proposed reforms.
The Labour Party now has a unique opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the growth of our industry. Only time will tell how these policy commitments may come into fruition, however the NFB remains dedicated to working hard to collaborate with the Labour Party on policies that will shape the future of the construction industry, ensuring that our sector remains a top priority for the UK’s economic growth and development.”
The Structural Timber Association (STA) is calling on the incoming Government to honour its election pledges, by prioritising sustainable housing solutions as a means of achieving Net Zero.
Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of the STA, commented: “The general election has been a significant milestone for the housebuilding sector, with Labour pledging to build 1.5 million homes during the next five years. Now, it’s crucial that Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes good on his election promises by implementing a clear strategy to deal with the housing shortage.
“However, it’s important to emphasise that simply building more houses is not enough – this is a unique opportunity to revolutionise the way we build our homes in the UK. Adopting more sustainable construction methods such as structural timber, offers a speedy and clean approach to meeting current and future housing demands.
“What’s more, we urge the new Government to renew the commitment to increasing the use of timber that was established with the Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap, published by DEFRA in December last year. Increasing the use of timber presents a viable solution to both the housing shortage and the UK’s legally binding Net Zero obligations – it’s imperative that the progress we have already made is not lost in the change of Government.”
Carpenter also highlighted that structural timber solutions are well-positioned to deliver on multiple fronts. Construction times are much quicker than traditional methods due to the structures being manufactured offsite, ensuring timely delivery of much-needed homes.
What’s more, offsite assembly of structural timber houses is a clean method of construction, leading to less waste, reduced labour requirements and less disruption on site. Finally, as timber is a renewable and low carbon material, it offers a truly sustainable and long-term solution to the housing shortage, while also contributing to the UK’s Net Zero obligations.
