With Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, officially becoming the UK Prime Minister, the industry has set out a list of priorities now that he has entered 10 Downing Street.
One of the new PM’s first tasks was to reappoint Angela Rayner as Housing Secretary and the industry maintains that quick and decisive action is now needed.
RIBA maintains that the housing crisis more broadly requires immediate action, and said it is promising to see the Prime Minister commit to building more council homes.
To achieve this, the government must consider bold solutions to strengthen local delivery at scale and pace. One piece of the puzzle is making better use of public land to deliver mixed-tenure developments and reinvesting proceeds from sales of market homes to build the next tranche of council housing, as set out in our 'Foundations for the Future' report.
RIBA President Chris Williamson said: "As we face urgent housing, climate, and cost of living crises, the new Prime Minister certainly has a significant challenge ahead of him and architects can help him with those challenges.
“His priority to deliver growth in every postcode provides reason to be hopeful. It is clear we need to drastically improve the quality and sustainability of homes, places and infrastructure across the country. Our proposal for the introduction of city architects offers a practical step forward, which would help generate millions of pounds of value for local authorities and help deliver new homes.
“At a critical time for the built environment sector, this is an opportunity for the government to refocus and prioritise. This requires strong leadership, clear action and long-term commitment to tackle these issues, and we look forward to working with the Prime Minister and the new government to turn these shared ambitions into reality.”
Dr Victoria Hills, CEO at CIOB, welcomed the new Prime Minister into his role and looks forward to working with the new government to help tackle the UK's housing, infrastructure and skills challenges.
“Close engagement between ministers, professional bodies and industry experts will be essential to ensure policy is shaped by those delivering projects on the ground,” she explained. “We welcome the opportunity to meet with any new ministers to assist with their areas of responsibility and highlight the important contribution the construction industry can make in delivering positive outcomes for communities.
“There has long been a strong case for devolving more skills funding and decision-making to combined and local authorities as well as empowering mayors to work closer with local employers, educators and trainers to tackle local skills gaps and enable opportunities. CIOB has consistently acknowledged that regional leaders are best placed to understand local demand and the skills required to deliver priorities like retrofitting, housing and infrastructure. We look forward to continuing to work with Government as meaningful devolution takes shape.
“The industry also needs certainty. Changes in ministerial leadership and shifts in long-term policy impact businesses’ ability to plan, invest and recruit. We hope the new Prime Minister can provide stable leadership, honour long-term infrastructure commitments and work with the sector to give industry the confidence to deliver the homes, infrastructure and economic growth the UK needs.”
The new Prime Minister’s commitment to spreading power and opportunity to every part of the UK needs to be underpinned by allowing local building companies greater access to public sector contracts if it is to have real meaning, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). If the Government is serious about devolving power away from Westminster and driving growth in towns, cities, and regions across the country, it must work with the thousands of SME building firms already rooted in those communities, according to the FMB.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: "Builders will be looking closely at how Andy Burnham’s new government intends to deliver on its ambitions. His commitment to spreading power and opportunity to every postcode in Britain will resonate with communities across the country.
If the Government is serious about devolving power and delivering growth in every region, small local builders must be part of that vision. Rooted in the communities they serve, the nation's builders are uniquely placed to deliver the homes, jobs and economic growth needed in every town, city and region of the UK.
"Today's speech set out a broad vision for Britain, but we need to see the details. As Andy Burnham’s government develops its ten-year plan, we need to see a greater role for SME builders in delivering new homes, including this Government's ambition to roll out a new generation of council houses.
“Alongside this, action must be taken to tackle skills issues in construction, accelerate the retrofit of existing homes, support small businesses to grow, and introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for domestic building companies to raise standards and protect consumers. The nation's network of local builders stands ready to work with the Government to turn ambition into delivery."
RICS said it will work with Andy Burnham’s government to prioritise a faster, more transparent and professionally regulated property market.
Justin Young, Chief Executive Officer of RICS, said: “The new Prime Minister takes office at a critical time for the built and natural environment. Increasing the supply of quality affordable homes, strengthening infrastructure and supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy will require stable, long-term and evidence-led policymaking.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to reinvigorating council house building is welcome, but ambition will need to be matched by delivery capacity. Local authorities will need the skills, resources and professional support to turn that ambition into homes.
“Above all, financial investment – both domestic and international – is crucial for delivering so much of this. Creating a business environment that promotes confidence for investors goes together with regulatory and planning reform. Clarity and confidence is the motor for investment and results, not just for house building, but across all sectors of the built environment.”
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has called for planning to remain at the heart of the Government’s approach to housing, devolution and place-based growth following Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister.
The change in leadership comes at an important point in the Government’s planning reform agenda. The return of strategic planning and changes to England’s National Planning Policy Framework are already under way, alongside wider ambitions to increase housing delivery and support growth across the country.
Rachel Fisher, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “Andy Burnham takes office at an important moment in the Government’s planning reform agenda, with the return to strategic planning and changes to England’s National Planning Policy Framework underway.
“The new Prime Minister has demonstrated a deep understanding of the role that planning can play in improving people’s lives and unlocking the potential of communities and regions.
“In his role as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham demonstrated what can be achieved when local leadership, strategic planning and collaboration are brought together. As the new Government develops its approach, planners across the public and private sectors will be essential to turning national ambitions into locally responsive action and delivering lasting benefits in the public interest.
“The RTPI and our more than 27,000 members stand ready to work with the Prime Minister and his Government to help build stronger, fairer and more sustainable places across the country.”
