Designing Buildings has collated feedback and opinion on the government’s ‘Autumn Statement’, presented by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, from expert sector leads including the IHBC, CIOB, CPRE and more.
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… must include proposals….to provide sufficient numbers of staff qualified in planning, conservation and urban design…
For the IHBC, Chair David McDonald said: ‘Greater efficiencies in the planning process should be better for all involved. However, these should not be allowed to lessen the protection of the historic environment, and must include proposals to enable local authorities to provide sufficient numbers of staff qualified in planning, conservation and urban design.’
DB writes:
… The Autumn Statement reiterated three economic priorities set out in January; to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt. The indication is that inflation has fallen and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts policies will help it reduce further next year. The statement talks of a responsible approach to public spending to keep debt falling, cuts taxes for working people and businesses, reform welfare to help people into work and remove barriers to business investment.
… The statement says; ‘The government is focusing on five areas: reducing debt; cutting tax and rewarding hard work; backing British business; building domestic and sustainable energy; and delivering world-class education. The Autumn Statement takes a responsible approach to public spending to keep debt falling, cuts taxes for working people and businesses, reforms welfare to help people into work and removes barriers to business investment to boost growth.
… One of the biggest issues facing the construction industry is the skills shortage…
The Chartered Institute of Building CIOB
Eddie Tuttle, Director of Policy, External Affairs and Research at CIOB, said: ‘We are pleased to hear the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast shows strong economic growth across the UK. However, to truly capitalise on this success, issues within key sectors such as the construction industry must be addressed. One of the biggest issues facing the construction industry is the skills shortage. In fact, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) research recently revealed nearly 45,000 extra workers are required each year just to meet construction demand by 2027.’ …
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation IHBC
David McDonald IHBC Chair commented: : ‘Greater efficiencies in the planning process should be better for all involved. However, these should not be allowed to lessen the protection of the historic environment, and must include proposals to enable local authorities to provide sufficient numbers of staff qualified in planning, conservation and urban design.’
… fix our hidden rural housing crisis…
CPRE The Countryside charity
Commenting on the statement, Roger Mortlock, CEO at CPRE, said: ‘On the extension to the mortgage guarantee scheme: ‘People are crying out for genuinely affordable and social rented homes, both of which are in desperately short supply in all parts of the country. This morning, the government announced an extension to the mortgage guarantee scheme but nothing about investing in the kinds of housing that will help to fix our hidden rural housing crisis. The government must act now to ensure there is a supply of the homes people need. If it doesn’t, the future of our countryside communities will be at stake.’…
Download the UK Government’s 2023 Autumn Statement
