A round-up of reactions from the built environment to PM Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election for 4 July.
Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, external affairs and research at CIOB
“We look forward to the publication of the party manifestos to see what each one is proposing on matters key to the built environment sector, including housing, levelling up, education and skills, sustainability and building safety.
“Our own manifesto will be published next week and between now and 4 July we will be actively contacting prospective parliamentary candidates to stress the important role our industry plays in the economy, as well as in the safety and wellbeing of the communities it builds for, to ensure the next government, whoever that may be, understands how it can better support the sector to thrive.”
Muyiwa Oki, president, RIBA
“This is a pivotal moment for our country as we move into a General Election.
"As our manifesto makes clear, we urgently need decisive action to deliver a built environment that meets people’s needs, both now and in the future.
"Policies that usher in the next generation of social housing and establish a National Retrofit Strategy must be at the heart of this election campaign and delivered by the next Government. The clock is ticking – the time to act is now.
"All political parties must set out bold and comprehensive plans to deliver a sustainable built environment, using architects’ expertise, that strengthen communities and enrich people’s lives.”
Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the National Federation of Builders
“Housing and construction were not mentioned as one of the prime minister’s successes and unfortunately this is because housing and construction have been failed by this government.
“If Britain is to grow sustainably, its next government needs to reform planning, understand the commercial impacts of its decision and most importantly, talk to those they will rely on to implement their promises.”
Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive at UK Green Building Council
“With the linked environmental, nature and cost of living crises; this is the most important election in a generation. Our buildings are the nexus of how we can solve many of these pressing challenges while delivering homes, offices and public buildings that are warmer, more comfortable, cheaper to run, and which tread lighter on the planet.
“This is the ‘built environment election’, and the UKGBC, with our members, have a raft of solutions that will allow a new government to deliver at pace and scale.”
