CIOB's response to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill
Contents |
[edit] Background to the response
Throughout July 2022, the Policy & Public Affairs team at CIOB has been busy responding to the Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Committee call for evidence on the draft Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The formal written response sets out recommendations, of what CIOB believe the Bill should strive to achieve – from placing the quality of new homes as a primary objective of reforming the planning system; to introducing a Built Environment GCSE in England.
In terms of background, in February 2022, the Government published the Levelling up White Paper, setting out a framework of action to reduce geographical disparities and raise socio-economic outcomes across the UK through investment in the built, social, and economic environment. The proposed programme of action primarily revolved around the setting of twelve ‘missions’, including empowering local decision makers; securing paths to home-ownership; improving the connectivity of communities; and increasing the number of people completing high-quality skills training, amongst others.
Following the Queen’s Speech in May 2022, the UK Government unveiled the ‘Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill’, and provided further details of how the Government would level up the nation in practice. As the draft Bill is rather long, we thought it would be useful to highlight some of the key areas of interest/concern for CIOB as well as provide an insight into what the team has said in our formal written response:
[edit] The Role of Construction in Levelling Up
Within our analysis, we highlighted how the built environment has a significant role to play in achieving the twelve missions, from providing direct employment, investment, and revenue to local and national economies, to delivering housing, transport, and fundamental infrastructure. For example, in terms of delivering environmentally, economic, and socially driven homes, the sector can assist in developing radical solutions to ‘build back better’ and ‘greener’ by adopting more innovative approaches, techniques and methods on construction schemes, which can act as a catalyst to accelerate levelling up, and simultaneously, make progress towards our net zero ambitions. Whilst we are supportive of the levelling up missions and their intention, we are keen to see an independent body commissioned to scrutinise the Government’s progress against each mission.
[edit] Levelling Up & the Skills Gap
One of the key barriers to levelling up from a CIOB perspective has been the historical underlying issues that continue to limit construction’s potential, particularly in terms of the significant gulf between the labour and skills which currently exists. This concern is reinforced by the latest CITB Construction Skills Network report, which suggests that, if projected growth output is to be achieved, “over a quarter of a million extra construction workers may be needed by 2026”. Ultimately, we believe that the levelling up agenda has the potential to address skills gaps in the construction industry. In our response we have recommended that the Government work with the industry to develop unique, sustainable, employment skills and opportunities that reflect local priorities; as well as ensure construction projects provide opportunities that create social value and support local economic growth.
[edit] Planning Reforms & the Role of SMEs
In addition, throughout our written evidence, CIOB have actively advocated for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to play a significant role in meeting the UK’s housing demand, as part of the proposed planning reforms. In recent decades, we have witnessed SMEs be priced-out of the development market, primarily due to a lack of access to finance, and uncertainty over the outcome of planning applications. We have therefore proposed that the Government give due consideration in protecting SMEs to ensure competitiveness, as we believe that diversification of the housing delivery market is crucial to maintaining a consistent stream of new home completions.
[edit] Levelling Up & Net Zero
CIOB has also encouraged the Government to explicitly align its levelling up agenda with wider-policy objectives, such as net zero. The Bill, in its current state, appears to be a missed opportunity to explicitly align the Government’s flagship policies on levelling up and net zero. It is precisely because of this; we have recommended that the Bill be used as a driver for addressing sustainable development and to align planning reforms with our legally binding climate targets.
[edit] Conclusion
The built environment continues to influence and shape how we live, work, and play at community levels. Therefore, the Government must not underestimate the importance of listening to the industry on how best to deliver levelling up at a practical level.
This article originally formed part of a CIOB Policy and Public Affairs Newsletter, dated July 2022.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Aligning net zero with the levelling-up agenda.
- Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- Government departments responsibility for construction.
- Government publishes UK infrastructure strategy.
- Housing minister.
- IHBC respond to Parliamentary Committee on Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill
- Levelling up.
- Levelling up the infrastructure agenda.
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Featured articles and news
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.
London Build Fire and Security Expo
20-21 Nov and now with new Ambassador Programme..
The Scottish Building Safety Levy
Eight weeks of consultation closing on 18 November.
The grey, the brown and the golden rules of housing
shifting policies from the wild west of housing development.
Future proofing homes that are fit for purpose
Specification challenges and the role of plastic.
Thousands of new homes unlocked for brownfield sites
£68 million to 54 councils for neglected land into new homes.