The Conservative Party has unveiled ambitious plans to promote growth and development across the UK.
- A commitment to create 100,000 apprenticeships annually by the end of the next Parliament.
- Investment in major infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, and energy.
- Dedication to building 1.6 million homes in England, focusing on urban areas.
- Mixed reactions from industry experts on the feasibility of these promises.
The Conservatives have laid out a detailed manifesto aiming to remain in power by promising significant investment in apprenticeships, infrastructure, and housing. A central promise is the creation of ‘100,000 more apprenticeships in England every year by the end of the next Parliament’. This is paired with plans to reform the education system for 16-19 year olds, aiming to bridge the gap between academic and technical education, thereby creating a more skilled workforce.
On the infrastructure front, the party has pledged substantial investment across various sectors. This includes £8.3 billion for road resurfacing and pothole repair, and additional funds earmarked for railway upgrades in the South West and electrification of the North Wales mainline. The Conservative Party’s plan extends to energy, with commitments to treble offshore wind capacity and support new onshore wind projects, ensuring these developments have ‘democratic consent’.
Housing is another key area, with plans to oversee the construction of 1.6 million homes in England over the next Parliament—aiming for 320,000 homes per year. Notably, the party intends to boost urban housing through a fast-track planning route for projects on brownfield land and propose raising density levels in inner London, comparable to cities like Paris and Barcelona. However, commitments to protect the greenbelt from unchecked development remain steadfast, alongside an intention to renew the Affordable Homes Programme.
The manifesto also promises to streamline the process for major infrastructure projects, reducing approval times from four years to one. The party also intends to eliminate what it describes as ‘outdated EU red tape’ and frivolous legal challenges that delay project completion, potentially lowering infrastructure costs by allowing quicker modifications to approved projects.
Industry reactions to the manifesto are mixed. Richard Beresford of the National Federation of Builders appreciates the proposed tax cuts but questions the feasibility of building 1.6 million homes given the current planning landscape. Meanwhile, Justin Young from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors calls for a combination of demand-side and supply-side solutions to genuinely address the UK’s housing crisis, expressing scepticism about achieving the ambitious housing targets. Carter Jonas’s Colin Brown, however, welcomes the potential speed of infrastructure project approvals but highlights disappointment with the lack of movement on greenbelt policies.
The Conservative Party’s manifesto presents bold plans for the UK, yet its successful implementation remains uncertain amid mixed industry reactions.
