As the country continued its tentative steps out of lockdown, the Prime Minister has proposed a construction-focused ‘New Deal’ to drive the UK’s economic recovery.
Speaking at the Dudley Institute of Technology on 30th June, the Prime Minister outlined a commitment to a major programme of building and regeneration with the construction industry central to the Government’s plans to kick-start the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ambitious reforms to the planning system were suggested, including an overall acceleration of the process and additional flexibility to convert commercial properties or demolish existing buildings for new residential housing. Billed as removing ‘unnecessary red tape’, the proposals also included a review of Government and public sector owned land, and how it can be “managed and released so it can be put to better use” for purposes including “home building, improving the environment, contributing to net zero goals and injecting growth opportunities into communities across the country.”
These announcements come alongside a package of measures to support home building across England. Further detail was expected in a major address from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, planned for the week following the PM’s speech (as PBM was going to press), whilst the Government’s Local Recovery White Paper and National Infrastructure Plan are set for later in the year.
The response from the industry has been broadly positive — pending the greater clarity that is hoped to follow. For example, BMF CEO, John Newcomb welcomed the commitment to “build the UK back to economic health in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis” but noted that full a programme of national renewal must also promote better housing — both building new homes and upgrading existing ones.
John said: “It is great to see a Prime Minister responding to the Covid-19 crisis by promising to build back better, greener and faster, and by understanding the very real need to get the millions of people working in construction and building trades — including apprentices — back to work. In this regard, we are pleased to see the Construction Leadership Council’s Road to Recovery plan reflected in his speech.
“Reforming the planning system is long overdue and changes that speed up the system and enable redundant buildings to become new homes are certainly welcome. While some elements have been announced, we will need to see the detail in the promised planning Policy Paper in July.”
He continued: “With regard to new housing, the building materials supply chain has often heard ministers talk a good game without the necessary political and managerial drive needed to build housing of all types and tenures through to completion.
“And, while we have heard that the Government will publish a National Infrastructure Strategy in the autumn, we also need a firm commitment to level up existing housing in every region through a National Retrofit Strategy.
“Our ask of Boris is to help SME builders and allied trades to return to the market and do what they do best. Build small numbers of homes, in many locations, in keeping with their surroundings, that voters want to buy. And undertake the RMI that many UK homes still desperately need to provide warm and secure accommodation. All in all, to boost the number of greener, faster, better homes that the country needs.”
For more reaction to the Prime Minister’s address, including the perspective from the Federation of Master Builders, go to: https://professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk/news/fmb-responds-to-todays-pm-announcement/
