The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has made a decisive call to action for the forthcoming government.
- The CLC emphasises urgent planning reform to enhance construction productivity.
- A “regulatory roadmap” is necessary for boosting the retrofit industry.
- Twelve key policies have been proposed, focusing on infrastructure and housing improvements.
- A concrete collaboration between the industry and government could add significant economic value.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC), a pivotal joint initiative between the UK’s construction industry and government, recently issued a compelling open letter to the incoming government. This influential body is advocating for urgent reforms in the planning system, alongside the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory roadmap to accelerate the adoption of retrofitting across various housing types.
In their meticulously crafted three-page letter, endorsed by 16 prominent council members, the CLC outlined twelve crucial policies. These policies encompass five primary categories: pipeline, procurement, places to live, performance, and people. A key demand includes the urgent implementation of planning reforms aimed at unlocking smaller sites, thereby facilitating small-to-medium enterprise housebuilders and encouraging a build-to-rent culture.
The CLC letter also put forward the proposal for a 10-year “policy and regulatory framework” aimed at accelerating the uptake of retrofit. This initiative seeks to drive sustainability in housing, significantly impacting the broader goal of reducing the carbon footprint. Such strategic reforms are anticipated to bridge the productivity gap between the construction sector and the wider economy, potentially contributing an additional £45 billion annually to the UK’s GDP, equivalent to about 2% of the nation’s financial output.
Further emphasizing infrastructure, the CLC urges the publication of a decade-spanning infrastructure strategy. The continuation of reforms in prompt payment legislation and building safety products is deemed vital, along with a revisitation of the Apprenticeship Levy for enhanced workforce development. The CLC stresses the necessity of transparent policy frameworks to enable better planning and investing strategies within the industry, essential to retain talent and foster growth.
In exploring the challenges faced by small-to-medium enterprises, a Federation of Master Builders’ survey was quoted, indicating that 53% of SME builders consider land availability to be their principal hurdle over the forthcoming three years. Clarification and reform in this area are thus unequivocally critical for the future of construction in the UK.
The letter concluded with a call for the next government to clarify the role it envisions for the CLC in implementing these proposed recommendations. Notably, the council’s co-chair, Alan Mak, did not append his signature to the letter, sparking curiosity about his involvement in these initiatives.
The CLC’s proposals aim to drive significant advancements in construction productivity and sustainability, reflecting a crucial intersection between industry needs and government action.
