The week in policy
Planning and Infrastructure Bill goes through its second reading in the House of Commons
On Monday 24 March, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill returned to Parliament for its second reading in the House of Commons. The bill aims to accelerate the delivery of homes and critical infrastructure as part of the government’s target to build 1.5 million homes over the current parliament. The planned reforms will speed up planning decisions, remove unnecessary blockers and challenges to housing and infrastructure development, all while delivering for the environment through a new nature restoration fund.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announces £20m investment to support delivery of community-led housing
On Tuesday 25 March, MHCLG announced a £20m funding package for community groups, land trusts and housing co-operatives to directly support the construction of more than 2,500 new homes over the next decade. Design and location decisions for these houses will be led by local people.
Tom Adeyoola announced as new Executive Chair of Innovate UK
On Tuesday 25 March, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced tech entrepreneur and Metail founder Tom Adeyoola will lead Innovate UK, the government agency which funds new technologies and oversees the UK’s Catapult Network. DSIT said Adeyoola will aim to facilitate the government’s Plan for Change, targeting technology which creates high-value jobs and solves contemporary issues to improve the lives of the people in the UK.
Chancellor gives spring statement
On Wednesday 26 March Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the Treasury’s spring statement to the House of Commons. This updated parliament on the UK economy and progress made since the government’s budget last October. Announcements include:
· An Office for Budget Responsibility forecast of 1.3 million new houses being built by the end of the current parliament (2029/30),
· An additional £2bn of investment in social and affordable homes next year, delivering up to 18,000 new homes,
· A £625m construction skills package aimed at training 60,000 workers, and
· An extra £13bn allocated to capital infrastructure investment over the next five years.
Sustainabuild Impact Report sets ‘greenprint’ for Scotland’s net zero future – Scottish Construction News
Scottish Construction News reports sustainability network Sustainabuild has published its latest Green Skills Impact Report, outlining key insights and actionable recommendations from its recent ministerial-led assembly. The report identifies urgent workforce priorities to help Scotland meet its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Key recommendations include the establishment of a national green skills strategy, stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry to establish high-quality training programmes, inclusive hiring practices, targeted mentorship and scholarships to support women and under-represented groups entering green careers.
Something vital is missing from Labour’s housing policy: council houses – The Guardian
The Guardian has published an opinion article by Abi O’Connor arguing that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill passing through Parliament will only serve the interests of landlords rather than renters unless there is significant extra investment in council housing. O’Connor argues that the £350m increase in affordable housing funds does not solve the issue because the 80% of market rate rent which defines affordable housing is not truly affordable given how much faster rents have grown than wages in recent history. She also directly connects recent increases in housing costs in the past decade to reduction in overall council housing provision.
Open letter from tier one construction professionals urge MPs to back second reading of Planning and Infrastructure Bill – PBC Today
PBC Today reports 13 of the UK’s largest construction contractors and consultants have penned a letter calling for MPs to back the proposed planning reforms, both to achieve government targets and to protect future investment in UK businesses. This letter refers to the bill as a “once in a generation opportunity” to unlock growth and accelerate critical projects. While the coalition of industry figures collectively accepts that debate of the bill is crucial, they also ask that parliamentarians approach the passage of the bill with urgency.
More reliable information needed on infrastructure pipelines to ensure private investor confidence, NAO warns – Building
Building reports the National Audit Office (NAO) has called for clearer objectives and more reliable information on future UK infrastructure projects to mobilise private finance effectively. This call to action comes in the NAO’s latest report, Lessons Learned: Private Finance For Infrastructure which includes lessons the NAO believes the government needs to take on board to prevent cost and delivery time overruns on large infrastructure programmes, including housebuilding and the net zero transition. The report also urges ministers to adopt a commercial strategy to deliver successful outcomes, using commercial expertise to oversee an efficient procurement process and effectively manage supplier contracts, while putting in place contingency plans to mitigate supplier risk.
Coming up next week
Tuesday 1 April: The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee will hear oral evidence as part of its Grenfell and Building Safety Inquiry.
Thursday 3 April: There will be a debate in the House of Lords on the affordability of achieving the net zero emissions target by 2050.