All articles by Richard Steer
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CommentIn 2025 we will see the economic consequences of 2024鈥檚 political decisions
With a relatively stable government in place, a plan to build 1.5 million houses, investment in green energy and a new infrastructure fund, we may well be viewed as a better bet by those who deserted us post Brexit, says Richard Steer
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CommentRachel Reeves could get a lesson in harsh reality from business
Where was the incentive from the chancellor to grow? If construction doesn鈥檛 expand, the UK doesn鈥檛 build, argues Richard Steer
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CommentGrenfell shames us all 鈥� but our politicians are just as culpable
Those named and blamed in Sir Martin Moore-Bick鈥檚 report largely got what they deserved, but they were not alone in the way they operated. We may have learnt and changed since 2017, but there is still a long way to go, says Richard Steer
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CommentLabour鈥檚 housebuilding dream could be a nightmare to realise
It聽seems shrewd of the new government to have got housebuilders onside at an early stage,聽bt is all the talk of large-scale social, affordable and accessible housing provision realistic, asks聽Richard Steer
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CommentA 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
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CommentThis election should bring us back to the centre
The policies of the Liberal Democrats are positive and progressive. The party could have real influence on how we are governed for the next five years, says Richard Steer
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CommentWho will speak up for the builders?
The Co-op Live debacle is symtomatic of the awful PR that too often plagues our sector when high-profile projects go wrong, says Richard Steer
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CommentWe鈥檙e a nation of NEETs. Something must be done
The UK has one of聽the worst productivity rates in Europe and we need to get more people working. Who will take聽ownership of this national tragedy, asks Richard Steer
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CommentA celebration of diversity: An introduction to the Women in Construction special report
Be inspired by female construction leaders from around the world interviews with 12 industry leaders of today and tomorrow
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CommentThis was not the Budget to fix broken Britain
Radical thinking and major surgery are urgently needed, but the chancellor offered little 聽in yesterday鈥檚 statement聽to get the industry excited,聽writes Richard Steer
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CommentHas MMC gone from an industry salvation to a pseudo solution?
Once touted as聽the answer to all our productivity woes,聽MMC increasingly looks like it may have been just another wacky idea with little chance of success in these uncertain times,聽writes Richard Steer
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CommentIs 2024 already lost to dithering and delay?
The last few years have not been easy but we will have to wait a little longer before the outlook starts to improve, writes Richard Steer
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CommentProcrastination over HS2 is the one thing we don鈥檛 need right now
Rishi Sunak鈥檚 dithering and doubting over key infrastructure projects聽and the green agenda is damaging the UK鈥檚 prospects for economic growth and our global reputation, writes Richard Steer
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CommentSunak and Starmer should give construction the attention it deserves
There is an opportunity for the two biggest parties to put the built environment front and centre, writes Richard Steer
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CommentM&S Oxford Street: Not just any planning decision 鈥� a聽Michael Gove planning decision鈥�
The secretary of state鈥檚 intervention in this case is bizarre, illogical, unhelpful and politically motivated, writes Gleeds chairman Richard Steer
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CommentHousebuilders are not the villains. It鈥檚 the system that has to change
It may be politically fashionable, but it is unfair and unwise to criticise the Taylor Wimpeys, Barratts and Bellways for the housing shortage, writes Richard Steer of Gleeds
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CommentA renaissance king takes to the throne in a challenging age
King Charles III is the new head of a diverse and divided state聽but he has significant strengths and his support for the built environment is welcome, writes Richard Steer of Gleeds
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CommentMissed chances and little to excite in Hunt鈥檚 first Budget
Today鈥檚 statement revealed a chancellor with few short-term solutions for whom survival to the next general election will be an achievement in itself
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CommentWe鈥檙e not lazy, we just need more investment
We are one of the largest employers in the UK with the potential to shape our nation鈥檚 future. The government must help us make the most of that opportunity, writes Richard Steer of Gleeds
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CommentIf last year was a challenge, I鈥檓 afraid 2023 doesn鈥檛 look any easier
Happy new year? I wish鈥� Many of last year鈥檚 issues remain unresolved and we face similar problems in the months ahead, writes Richard Steer