The industry has responded to the Government’s Industrial Strategy which has been announced by ministers.
The long-awaited strategy to increase the UK’s industrial output includes plans for the Professional and Business sector and the Creative Industries sector, with the aim of building a new partnership in which the Government provides the long-term strategic certainty that enables businesses to invest and grow.
RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki said: “With world-class buildings designed by UK architects on every continent, our architecture is celebrated globally. It is encouraging that the Industrial Strategy acknowledges this.
“Architecture straddles both the professional and business services sector, and the creative industry sector – two key areas prioritised in the Strategy – so has a unique part to play in helping to deliver the Government’s growth plans.
“Positively, many of our recommendations have been included in the Strategy. From improving the planning system to securing mutual recognition of professional qualifications, change is needed if we are to achieve growth.
“However, the decision to defund Level 7 apprenticeships for people over 21, when the Government is seeking to increase skills and build a pipeline of homegrown talent, is a backwards step for the profession.
“It’s not too late to rethink the decision around Level 7 and we urge the Government to undertake a full impact assessment of the consequences of defunding.”
The Construction Products Association (CPA) today expressed strong support for the 10‑year Industrial Strategy.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the strategy as a turning point for the British economy, delivering long-term certainty for business through significant public investment across eight high-growth sectors—including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and defence—underpinned by an £86 billion R&D package. Central to its vision is addressing industrial energy costs: more than 7,000 manufacturing firms will be exempted from green levies, and network charge rebates for energy-intensive industries will be significantly increased.
The CPA, representing the UK’s £68.6 billion construction products manufacturing sector, welcomed the clarity and ambition shown. It emphasised the critical importance of aligning implementation with the needs of industries like construction products manufacturing, which accounts for 11% of total UK manufacturing output and employs over 407,900 people.
Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association, said:
“We welcome the renewed commitment to a long-term industrial strategy. The strategy must not only be ambitious—it must be consistent, clear, and rooted in real engagement with industry. Delivery is everything, and we look forward to working with government to make this vision a reality.”
The CPA particularly appreciates the proposed consultation on industrial electricity pricing and plans to increase rebates for eligible manufacturers from 60% to 90%. These measures could significantly improve competitiveness for UK-based producers, provided they are rolled out effectively and equitably across sectors.
While the strategy highlights sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy, the CPA strongly agrees with the government’s recognition of construction manufacturing as a foundation sector—underpinning the delivery of national priorities on infrastructure, decarbonisation, housing and economic growth. The Association emphasised that this acknowledgment must now be matched by full and consistent inclusion of construction products manufacturing in the strategy’s delivery frameworks, investment planning and cross-sector coordination.
The 10-year horizon also aligns with the CPA’s calls for long-term stability in policy-making. In the past, industrial strategies have too often faltered due to fragmented implementation, frequent policy shifts and a lack of follow-through. The CPA urges government to ensure this strategy is backed by strong governance, defined timelines, and meaningful collaboration with industry.
