CIOB responds to Chancellor's Spring Budget announcement

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has today reacted to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt MP’s Spring Budget announcement.  

Eddie Tuttle, Director of Policy, External Affairs and Research at CIOB, said: “The Chancellor’s budget speech lacked long-term focus on issues like housing supply and CIOB is hoping the next budget, regardless of who is in power, will seize the opportunity to drastically improve the skills landscape for the construction sector – which is crucial for the success of levelling up and reaching our national housing targets. 

“We’re pleased the Government is extending access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses – which make up much of the construction industry - through the Recovery Loan Scheme.  

“It also is pleasing there is an intention to build more homes; however the Government must give serious consideration to one of our key focuses – ensuring all homes built are of the highest quality and are future-proofed to reduce the need for retrofitting down the line. 

“We have made it clear that a national retrofit strategy is essential to driving down emissions from operating and using buildings, which currently accounts for 19 per cent of the UK’s carbon footprint.  

“The Government also needs to urgently review its unfit-for-purpose apprenticeship system, which regrettably was not mentioned in today’s budget. 

“For the construction sector, many businesses feel unable to offer apprenticeships due to an ongoing struggle to retain staff, with many leaving to work elsewhere once qualified.  

“A wholesale review of both the system and its funding is needed to make sure training is affordable and incentivised for construction businesses to deliver the number of qualified professionals needed by both the sector and wider economy.”