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As thoughts turn towards the next general election, the UK is facing some serious problems. Low growth, flatlining productivity, question marks over net zero funding and capability, skills shortages and a worsening housing crisis all amount to a daunting in-tray for the next government.
This year鈥檚 general election therefore has very high stakes for the built environment and the economy as a whole. For this reason, 黑洞社区 is launching its most in-depth election coverage yet, helping the industry to understand the issues in play and helping to amplify construction鈥檚 voice so that the government hears it loud and clear.
Sarah Jones officially named construction minister
Minister for industry will fill government鈥檚 co-chair seat on CLC
A boost for housebuilding or an ill-defined gimmick? - Labour鈥檚 鈥榞rey belt鈥� plans explained
Labour hopes its rebrand of 鈥榰gly鈥� green belt land will help. But will it work?
In the rush to build 1.5 million homes how do we safeguard quality?
Starmer鈥檚 government wants to build at a speed and scale not seen since the 1970s, sadly the building spurts of the past resulted in homes of dubious quality
Starmer鈥檚 been in post for a fortnight: Do we dare be hopeful?
Early signalling from the new government is positive, let the hard work begin
Industry bosses called in to meet new chancellor to discuss ways to improve housing and infrastructure delivery
Last Friday鈥檚 discussions at Number 11 focused on how sector can kickstart growth ahead of King鈥檚 Speech
Sarah Jones expected to be named construction minister
New Labour minister held industry and decarbonisation brief in opposition
A guide to the key players shaping the Labour government鈥檚 policy
Who will be making the important decisions in government affecting the construction industry? Daniel Gayne finds out
Lack of skilled workers may be biggest barrier to Labour hitting 1.5m homes target, warns economist
Construction Products Association director Noble Francis warns 鈥渢here just won鈥檛 be the people鈥� to meet key manifesto pledge
Labour government set to usher in rise in new project starts, forecaster says
Government鈥檚 huge majority set to provide impetus for quicker decisions on spending plans, Glenigan adds
Barking and Dagenham council leader Darren Rodwell in the clear following allegations about behaviour
Rodwell dropped out of standing for parliament in Labour safe seat last month after complaint about his conduct
Labour removes 鈥榣evelling up鈥� from department and ministerial titles
DLUHC to be return to former name MHCLG as Angela Rayner describes phrase as a 鈥済immick鈥�
New chancellor Rachel Reeves reverses onshore wind ban and restores mandatory housing targets
Labour sets out plans to get Britain building new infrastructure and housing
Former Tory minister could be made Labour planning tsar, reports say
Nick Boles switched party allegiance after Truss mini-Budget
Pennycook appointed housing minister
Greenwich and Woolwich MP with a track record of campaigning on low pay, renter rights and placemaking takes key DLUHC brief
Angela Rayner confirmed as housing secretary
Appointment follows landslide victory for Keir Starmer鈥檚 Labour party
Labour government 鈥榤ust be realistic鈥� about challenges facing construction 鈥� industry leaders react to landslide
Sector reacts to Keir Starmer鈥檚 400-plus seat victory
New towns, 1.5 million homes and renewing the UK鈥檚 infrastructure鈥�. what the new government is promising for construction
Keir Starmer鈥檚 party has won a large majority as many expected. As we gear up for the first Labour government for 14 years, here is a reminder of what they have pledged for the built environment
A new government 鈥� and a chance for construction to be heard
Keir Starmer steps in to No10 with much to do and the economy in a perilous state. He would be wise to engage with the built environment sector more successfully than his predecessors, says Richard Steer
Next prime minister should hold COBRA meeting on housing crisis, says British Land鈥檚 Canada Water chief
Next government needs to start addressing issue from day one,聽Emma Cariaga adds
Only by building with factory precision can the next government hit housing targets
The parties鈥� election pledges to build more houses will remain unattainable using traditional methods, writes Tide Construction鈥檚 Christy Hayes
Construction must recruit to make progress
Regardless of who forms the next government, the industry needs to change its mindset and create a much bigger skills base to address the challenges that lie before us, says Mark Wild
Mace plays down expectations of work boost following election
Firm says tender prices will stay flat this year and next
New government must take opportunity to 鈥榯urn new page鈥� for infrastructure, says CECA
Trade body sets out priorities for first 100 days
Will Labour鈥檚 apprenticeship reforms really solve the skills crisis?
The next government must provide tangible support for employers, educational institutions and apprentices if construction is to play its full part in driving economic growth, says Nicola Hodkinson
Labour to make major housing announcements 鈥榳ithin a fortnight鈥� of winning the election
Starmer pledges to push on with housebuilding 鈥渇rom day one鈥� as it targets 1.5m homes
What we need now is good governance
With the general election looming, it is worth reflecting on what is required to deliver the best outcomes within our industry, writes Paul Beeston of RLB
Ask not what the next government can do for construction
Construction must up its game and be a true partner to the next administration, says Paul Ruddick of Reds10
With healthcare in the election spotlight, industry collaboration is key
A review of healthcare estates and buildings, and a more holistic look at how new hospitals are built can ensure the NHS meets the demands of the next government, says Daniel Easthope at Mace
鈥楾here鈥檚 been a lack of consistency, and you need consistency to deliver鈥� 鈥� What the outgoing CIOB president wants from the next government
Sandi Rhys Jones is clear where the Conservatives went wrong in their dealings with the construction industry. So, with a general election looming and her term in office coming to an end, Nora Redmond asked the president of the Chartered Institute of 黑洞社区聽what needs to happen next
SNP calls for changes to Westminster鈥檚 fiscal rules to boost infrastructure investment
Party鈥檚 manifesto also calls for devolution of housing benefit to boost social housing delivery
Election focus 2024: policy tracker
黑洞社区鈥檚 frequently-updated policy tracker will keep you up to speed on the latest pledges and announcements made by the parties in the run up to polling day
Who鈥檚 who in Labour鈥檚 would-be cabinet
With Labour riding high in the polls, Daniel Gayne looks at who will be the major players in the party if it wins the keys to Number 10
Farage鈥檚 Reform UK pledges to scrap IR35 and net zero targets
Reform party unveils policy platform of sweeping tax cuts as it woos disgruntled Conservative voters
Labour criticised over omission of 40% affordable housing target from manifesto
Labour sources say target remains party policy
Spend money on infrastructure, bosses tell party leaders
Open letter signed by Arup, Mace and Costain chiefs says next PM needs to work with industry more closely
Warm welcome from industry for Labour鈥檚 鈥榳ealth creation鈥� manifesto
Planning reforms and focus on infrastructure upgrades roundly backed by experts
Developers鈥� profit margins should not be dictating UK housing policy
The political parties may be promising to build more homes but it is improving the building standards of those homes that is key to tackling聽the UK鈥檚 housing, energy and fuel poverty crises
Greens have understood scale of investment needed for retrofit, says UKGBC
But planning experts say party鈥檚 social housing plans are undeliverable
Industry reacts to Conservative Party鈥檚 鈥榰nbalanced鈥� and 鈥榝rustrating鈥� manifesto
Modest welcome for Help to Buy relaunch but Tories fail to impress with lack of planning reform
Looking for signs of construction swinging to Labour
Many a construction boss is scathing about聽the Conservatives鈥� record in office, but that is not the same as embracing the alternative
Sunak pledges to revive Help To Buy at Conservative manifesto launch
Party also pledges to get major infrastructure projects signed off within 12 months
Poll shows strong shift in support towards Labour among 黑洞社区 readers
Responses by more than 130 readers show more than half are likely to vote for Keir Starmer鈥檚 party on 4 July
CLC calls on parties to commit to favouring planning approval on smaller sites
Body also demands long-term planning and investment in skills
鈥榃e鈥檝e not had any engagement from the Labour leadership 鈥� and we鈥檝e tried鈥�: The CPA鈥檚 new chair on the need for a positive products strategy
It was not that long ago that Adam Turk was knocking on doors for the Tories. Now he says the construction products sector needs a change. But Labour is proving a tough nut to crack
Labour unveils plans to unblock prison building and force firms to train domestic labour force
Companies could lose right to sponsor visas if they do not back party鈥檚 training plans
Liberal Democrats outline housing and net zero plans in manifesto
Party confirms pledge to build 380,000 homes a year and would take a second look at HS2鈥檚 northern leg
Labour pledges to help 80,000 buy a home through 鈥榩ermanent鈥� mortgage guarantee scheme
Starmer announces 鈥楩reedom to Buy鈥� policy as key housing manifesto pledge
It鈥檒l take 10 years to solve the housing crisis 鈥� but here鈥檚 how we might do it
The UK housing crisis is so entrenched that it needs to be put onto a war footing and fought through a cross-party accord, says Jackie Sadek
Tell us what you think in our general election reader poll
黑洞社区 wants to find out what you think of the main political parties and their construction policies
Fix planning to fix housing? It鈥檚 just a mantra, not the truth
Over and over, politicians have sworn to slash the red tape, but that鈥檚 not the key 鈥� housebuilders won鈥檛 build if there鈥檚 no prospect of profit
Barking and Dagenham council leader Darren Rodwell dropped as Labour candidate
Rodwell withdrawn from candidacy for Labour safe seat amid an internal investigation
Home Truths podcast: In conversation with Liz Peace
Episode 5: Follow the money 鈥� Liz Peace, former chief executive of the British Property Federation, talks to Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill about finding a financial model to kick-start a nationwide affordable housebuilding programme
Tier ones demand creation of infrastructure minister
Firms including Balfour Beatty, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Atkins Realis set out 12 key measurers for next government
Labour would allow firms to spend half of apprenticeship funds to train existing staff
Conservatives also unveil 30 more towns in line for levelling up cash as main parties continue election campaigning
General election 2024: who will get your vote?
Which of the UK political parties has the best policies for the built environment? Tell us what you think in our reader survey
Sunak pledges to fund 100,000 more apprenticeships by scrapping 鈥楳ickey Mouse鈥� degrees
Proposed new law would聽strengthen powers of independent higher education regulator
CIOB calls on next government to tackle late payment culture and create green skills fund
The largest professional body for construction has launched its pre-election manifesto today
Gove to leave housing role after decision to step down as MP
Polarising housing secretary says a 鈥榥ew generation鈥� should now lead Conservative Party
Bowmer & Kirkland chair among business leaders backing Labour
Architects and civil engineering firm join Jack Kirkland in endorsing oppposition party ahead of general election
Home Truths podcast: In conversation with Darren Rodwell
Episode 4: Bricks and mortar, hearts and minds - Darren Rodwell, Labour鈥檚 candidate for Barking and council leader for the east London borough, on how he expects the Labour leadership to reveal more housing policy detail now the election has been called
Labour pledges to merge NIC and IPA if elected in infrastructure shake-up
Policy the result of party鈥檚 review into major project delivery
Sunak鈥檚 big election gamble: How the construction sector reacted
Initial thoughts from industry leaders as the prime minister unexpectedly calls a 4 July election
Rayner announces 40% affordable housing target for New Towns
Shadow housing secretary and deputy Labour leader details new policy at UKREiiF event in Leeds
Construction among sectors targeted by government jobs 鈥榖ootcamp鈥� plan
Benefits claimants will be given training in sectors deemed most at risk from labour shortages
Green group spells out demands for next government in election manifesto
UKGBC calls for 拢64bn to be spent on retrofit programme for country鈥檚 housing stock
We are in a world where business leaders appear more radical than the Labour party
After the local elections, Keir Starmer looks certain to be our next prime minister, but where are the details beyond the aspiration to 鈥榞et Britain building鈥�?
Home Truths podcast: In conversation with Jennie Daly at Taylor Wimpey
Taylor Wimpey chief executive talks to Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill about why the planning system is broken and what would need to change for private housebuilders to consider building council homes at scale.聽Listen and read extracts here
New mayor eyeing 20,000 extra homes after defeating Street in West Midlands election
Former PwC director also expected to continue working with Greater Manchester mayor on HS2 alternative from Birmingham to north
Home Truths podcast: In conversation with Peter Freeman at Homes England
Episode 1: The Swiss Army Knife 鈥� Homes England chair talks to Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill about the importance of housing targets, reforms to planning and investing in MMC. Listen and read extracts here
黑洞社区 Talks podcast teams up with Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill for housing crisis series
Home Truths is聽a straight-talking podcast getting to the heart of this politically-charged debate - watch the trailer here
鈥楥onstruction seems to have fallen down the food chain鈥� 鈥� Scape鈥檚 Mark Robinson on what the government must change
As the public sector-owned procurement specialist launches its Charter for Change, its chief executive tells Daniel Gayne how the next government can do more to promote the construction sector
Your guide to the May 2 elections: what鈥檚 at stake for construction
Three new metro-mayoral positions will be among those filled as local and regional elections take place next month. Carl Brown reports.
鈥楪overnment flip-flopping on climate has cost us work鈥�: Ramboll鈥檚 Philippa Spence on what she wants from UK politicians
The UK managing director talks to Tom Lowe about the impact that government dithering over net zero policy has had on her firm and the industry as a whole over the past five years
Pre-election briefing: What can we expect for investment in the NHS estate?
The first of Boris Johnson鈥檚 promised 40 hospitals will open this month. But huge delays to the 拢22bn programme mean that, months before an election, procurement for most of the work hasn鈥檛 even begun and there is no certainty that Labour will push ahead. Joey Gardiner asks what it all ...
How much the next government spends on the NHS estate will be critical to its future
Creative thinking is going to be vital in addressing decades of underinvestment in the fabric of our healthcare services
Local elections 2024: London mayor Sadiq Khan鈥檚 record on the built environment
What might a third term for the capital鈥檚 most powerful politician look like? Daniel Gayne considers the mayor鈥檚 record so far
Mayor commits to ending rough sleeping in London by 2030 if re-elected
Sadiq Khan to set aside additional 拢10m to tackle problem
The race is on鈥� Countdown to the general election part three: Infrastructure and creating communities
Over the next few months, 黑洞社区 will have a political focus: what do the parties have to offer? What does construction want and need? Here is the final instalment of our three-parter with an overview of election topics
FMB鈥檚 Brian Berry: 鈥楾hat anyone can be a builder is not helpful to the reputation of the industry鈥�
With an election on the horizon, Daniel Gayne spoke to the leader of the representative body for construction SMEs to get his thoughts about the choices on offer
Access to the policymakers: Mark Reynolds on the CLC鈥檚 strategy for influence
As the CLC publishes its latest bi-annual report, Carl Brown speaks to Mark Reynolds about the group鈥檚 achievements to date and future plans
Embrace AI and 鈥榤icro鈥� investment zones to improve UK buildings, BRE urges next government
Group wants incoming administration to set high standards
Planning reform 鈥榓t the very centre鈥� of Labour economic vision, says Reeves
Infrastructure investment and planning reform two of 鈥榯hree pillars鈥� of party鈥檚 economic strategy
The race is on鈥� Countdown to the general election part two: 黑洞社区 safety, affordable housing, skills and education
Over the next few months, 黑洞社区 will have a political focus: what do the parties have to offer? What does construction want and need? Here is the聽second instalment of our three-parter looking at election topics.
The government must do more to boost UK infrastructure
The chancellor missed an opportunity for meaningful demand-side stimuli in the Budget. With an election looming, the government must be more ambitious if it is to win the confidence of business leaders, says KPMG鈥檚 Holly Davis
The race is on鈥� Countdown to the general election part one: Project delivery, housing and planning, net zero
Rishi Sunak will have to call a general election this year. Over the next few months, 黑洞社区 will have a political focus: what do the parties have to offer? What does construction want and need?聽 We kick off by examining some of the big industry issues
School buildings crisis: What can the next government do to save our schools and colleges?
Public capital spending on education was less last year than at any time since Labour鈥檚 黑洞社区 Schools for the Future聽programme got up to speed 17 years ago. As part of 黑洞社区鈥檚 election focus, Joey Gardiner asks what can be done to stop our schools falling further into disrepair
黑洞社区鈥檚 general election coverage starts here 鈥�
We want to hear from you as we look in-depth at the key policy areas
Election year: why there is so much at stake for construction
Politicians are looking for a positive message and ways to kick-start economic growth,which might be why they are suddenly keen to be seen visiting construction sites