The following article features the thoughts and reactions to Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister, focusing on the decisions that he has made in his first week that will impact the construction industry…
‘Andy Burnham must unlock existing homes as well as build’
Nick Leeming, Chairman of Jackson-Stops, comments: “Andy Burnham takes office having placed housing firmly at the top of his agenda. Building more homes is essential, but the health of the market also depends on helping existing homes circulate more freely, so that more people can make the move that is right for them.
“Our latest research suggests that removing stamp duty costs could bring more than 300,000 owner-occupied homes onto the market across England within less than a year. At the same time, 42% of those whose moving plans have been delayed cited economic uncertainty as a reason.
“The new Government therefore has an opportunity to restore confidence in the market by combining a clear commitment to housebuilding with stable economic management and a serious review of the upfront costs that continue to hold back buyers and sellers. If that can be achieved, we should see momentum return, more transactions progress and more people able to move when the time is right for them.”
‘Close engagement between ministers, professional bodies and industry experts will be essential’
Dr Victoria Hills, CEO at The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), says: “We welcome Andy Burnham into his new role as Prime Minister and look forward to working with the new government to help tackle the UK’s housing, infrastructure and skills challenges.
“Close engagement between ministers, professional bodies and industry experts will be essential to ensure policy is shaped by those delivering projects on the ground. We welcome the opportunity to meet with any new ministers to assist with their briefs and highlight the important contribution the construction industry can make in delivering positive outcomes for communities.
“There has long been a strong case for devolving more skills funding and decision-making to combined and local authorities as well as empowering mayors to work closer with local employers, educators and trainers to tackle local skills gaps and enable opportunities. CIOB has consistently acknowledged that regional leaders are best placed to understand local demand and the skills required to deliver priorities like retrofitting, housing and infrastructure. We look forward to continuing to work with Government as meaningful devolution takes shape.
“The industry also needs certainty. Changes in ministerial leadership and shifts in long-term policy impact businesses’ ability to plan, invest and recruit. We hope the new Prime Minister can provide stable leadership, honour long-term infrastructure commitments and work with the sector to give industry the confidence to deliver the homes, infrastructure and economic growth the UK needs.”
‘Speeding up private housebuilding key to ending rough sleeping’
Valentin Boboc, Senior Economist at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says: “When Andy Burnham was Mayor of Greater Manchester, he promised to end rough sleeping by 2020. Yet, official numbers rose for four years in a row and more than doubled from 2021 to 2025, even though millions were spent on the ‘A Bed Every Night’ program.
“The ongoing problem of rough sleeping shows how serious Britain’s housing shortage is. To tackle this, the Prime Minister should focus on speeding up private housebuilding across the country to make future efforts more cost effective.”
‘Angela Rayner’s return provides some welcome continuity’
Lawrence Turner, Director at Boyer, comments on the re-appointment of Angela Rayner as Secretary of State for the MHCLG: “Angela Rayner’s return provides some welcome continuity at an important point for the planning system.
“The direction of planning reform has largely been established, but the immediate challenge is now delivery and translating policy and legislative reform into adopted local plans and homes on the ground. That will require sustained political leadership, properly resourced local planning authorities and a pragmatic response to the viability challenges, increased build costs and infrastructure constraints affecting the development industry.
“We hope the new Secretary of State will maintain momentum and provide clarity and stability for local authorities, communities and developers to kick start investment.”
‘Positive signal about the priority being given to housing and planning reform’
Colin Brown, Head of Planning & Development at Carter Jonas, comments: “It is encouraging to see Matthew Pennycook MP retained as Minister of State at MHCLG and, importantly, attending Cabinet meetings. This sends a positive signal about the priority being given to housing and planning reform at the heart of Government.
“With the UK continuing to face a significant housing shortage, sustained ministerial leadership will be essential if meaningful progress is to be made on increasing housing supply and accelerating delivery.
“The Government’s focus on affordable housing and the likely expansion of council-led housing delivery is both welcome and necessary. However, it is equally important that policy provides hope and opportunity for first-time buyers and the many households who are working hard but finding home ownership increasingly out of reach amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
“A successful housing strategy must support those in greatest need while also creating pathways into home ownership for aspiring buyers. Achieving that balance will be critical if the Government is to deliver lasting housing reform and broaden access to the housing market.
“For those of us working across the housing, planning and development sectors, there is also a responsibility to play our part. The scale of the challenge demands collaboration between Government, local authorities, landowners, developers, housing associations and advisers. If this renewed focus from Government is to translate into more homes on the ground, the industry must be ready to engage positively, embrace reform and help deliver practical solutions at pace.”
‘260,000 homes unlocked with greater certainty over home-moving’
Nick Leeming, Chairman of Jackson-Stops, comments: “Angela Rayner returns to the housing brief with understanding of both the scale of the challenge and the policies already in motion. Her immediate task must be to maintain momentum and turn those proposals into practical improvements for buyers and sellers.
“Our latest research suggests that greater certainty over home-moving timelines could unlock more than 260,000 owner-occupied homes across England within less than a year. The Government’s proposed reforms to improve upfront information, reduce delays and give people greater confidence earlier in the transaction process therefore have the potential to make a meaningful difference.
“Following repeated changes at the top of the housing department, the market now needs clarity, consistency and a policy direction that is maintained long enough to make a meaningful difference.
“Increasing the supply of new homes must remain a priority, but success should also be judged by whether the wider housing market is working effectively. That means helping transactions progress, allowing housing chains to form and giving people the confidence to move when their circumstances change.”
