The industry has given a guarded but mainly positive response to the plans, albeit with the criticism, reports Specification Online.
Specification Online writes:
…Some of the key points include:
…
RIBA President Chris Williamson said … that shifting power… new funding, and devolving accountability… ‘will create opportunities for local areas to invest in the housing and infrastructure they really need.’
David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), said: ‘… We look forward to reading the finer details in ‘The Fiscal Devolution Roadmap’ to understand how long-term funding will work…. We welcome efforts to reduce red tape…’
‘Addressing persistent skills shortages and bringing more people into construction must be central to the Government’s plans…’
Usman Yaqub, CIAT President, said: ‘We…… welcome measures to invest in local communities, including through lower council borrowing rates, VAT relief on land sold to social housing providers… Yet these steps fall far short of what is needed’ to deliver the council housing revolution promised by the Prime Minister…’
Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), says: ‘… We welcome any moves to reduce the considerable regulatory and policy cost burden on house building, albeit this move will have a limited impact and benefit a relatively small number of urban sites.’
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: ‘The Autumn 2026 Budget is one of carrots, not rabbits and this approach is how governments create healthy business environments… Acknowledgements that disproportionate and over-burdensome policies, such as grid connections, Building Regulations and Biodiversity Net Gain, are growth-inhibitors is welcome, but the budget has not given construction much direct relief…’
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented: ‘It was a budget of many small measures..’
