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- 黑洞社区 Boardroom
As thoughts turn towards the next general election, the UK is facing some serious problems. Low growth, flatlining productivity, question marks over net zero funding and capability, skills shortages and a worsening housing crisis all amount to a daunting in-tray for the next government.
This year鈥檚 general election therefore has very high stakes for the built environment and the economy as a whole. For this reason, 黑洞社区 is launching its most in-depth election coverage yet, helping the industry to understand the issues in play and helping to amplify construction鈥檚 voice so that the government hears it loud and clear.
Minister for industry will fill government鈥檚 co-chair seat on CLC
Labour hopes its rebrand of 鈥榰gly鈥 green belt land will help. But will it work?
Starmer鈥檚 government wants to build at a speed and scale not seen since the 1970s, sadly the building spurts of the past resulted in homes of dubious quality
Early signalling from the new government is positive, let the hard work begin
Last Friday鈥檚 discussions at Number 11 focused on how sector can kickstart growth ahead of King鈥檚 Speech
New Labour minister held industry and decarbonisation brief in opposition
Who will be making the important decisions in government affecting the construction industry? Daniel Gayne finds out
Construction Products Association director Noble Francis warns 鈥渢here just won鈥檛 be the people鈥 to meet key manifesto pledge
Government鈥檚 huge majority set to provide impetus for quicker decisions on spending plans, Glenigan adds
Rodwell dropped out of standing for parliament in Labour safe seat last month after complaint about his conduct
DLUHC to be return to former name MHCLG as Angela Rayner describes phrase as a 鈥済immick鈥
Labour sets out plans to get Britain building new infrastructure and housing
Nick Boles switched party allegiance after Truss mini-Budget
Greenwich and Woolwich MP with a track record of campaigning on low pay, renter rights and placemaking takes key DLUHC brief
Appointment follows landslide victory for Keir Starmer鈥檚 Labour party
Sector reacts to Keir Starmer鈥檚 400-plus seat victory
Keir Starmer鈥檚 party has won a large majority as many expected. As we gear up for the first Labour government for 14 years, here is a reminder of what they have pledged for the built environment
Keir Starmer steps in to No10 with much to do and the economy in a perilous state. He would be wise to engage with the built environment sector more successfully than his predecessors, says Richard Steer
Next government needs to start addressing issue from day one,聽Emma Cariaga adds
The parties鈥 election pledges to build more houses will remain unattainable using traditional methods, writes Tide Construction鈥檚 Christy Hayes
Regardless of who forms the next government, the industry needs to change its mindset and create a much bigger skills base to address the challenges that lie before us, says Mark Wild
Firm says tender prices will stay flat this year and next
Trade body sets out priorities for first 100 days
The next government must provide tangible support for employers, educational institutions and apprentices if construction is to play its full part in driving economic growth, says Nicola Hodkinson
Starmer pledges to push on with housebuilding 鈥渇rom day one鈥 as it targets 1.5m homes
With the general election looming, it is worth reflecting on what is required to deliver the best outcomes within our industry, writes Paul Beeston of RLB
Construction must up its game and be a true partner to the next administration, says Paul Ruddick of Reds10
A review of healthcare estates and buildings, and a more holistic look at how new hospitals are built can ensure the NHS meets the demands of the next government, says Daniel Easthope at Mace
Sandi Rhys Jones is clear where the Conservatives went wrong in their dealings with the construction industry. So, with a general election looming and her term in office coming to an end, Nora Redmond asked the president of the Chartered Institute of 黑洞社区聽what needs to happen next
Party鈥檚 manifesto also calls for devolution of housing benefit to boost social housing delivery
黑洞社区鈥檚 frequently-updated policy tracker will keep you up to speed on the latest pledges and announcements made by the parties in the run up to polling day
With Labour riding high in the polls, Daniel Gayne looks at who will be the major players in the party if it wins the keys to Number 10
Reform party unveils policy platform of sweeping tax cuts as it woos disgruntled Conservative voters
Labour sources say target remains party policy
Open letter signed by Arup, Mace and Costain chiefs says next PM needs to work with industry more closely
Planning reforms and focus on infrastructure upgrades roundly backed by experts
The political parties may be promising to build more homes but it is improving the building standards of those homes that is key to tackling聽the UK鈥檚 housing, energy and fuel poverty crises
But planning experts say party鈥檚 social housing plans are undeliverable
Modest welcome for Help to Buy relaunch but Tories fail to impress with lack of planning reform
Many a construction boss is scathing about聽the Conservatives鈥 record in office, but that is not the same as embracing the alternative
Party also pledges to get major infrastructure projects signed off within 12 months
Responses by more than 130 readers show more than half are likely to vote for Keir Starmer鈥檚 party on 4 July
Body also demands long-term planning and investment in skills
It was not that long ago that Adam Turk was knocking on doors for the Tories. Now he says the construction products sector needs a change. But Labour is proving a tough nut to crack
Companies could lose right to sponsor visas if they do not back party鈥檚 training plans
Party confirms pledge to build 380,000 homes a year and would take a second look at HS2鈥檚 northern leg
Starmer announces 鈥楩reedom to Buy鈥 policy as key housing manifesto pledge
The UK housing crisis is so entrenched that it needs to be put onto a war footing and fought through a cross-party accord, says Jackie Sadek
黑洞社区 wants to find out what you think of the main political parties and their construction policies
Over and over, politicians have sworn to slash the red tape, but that鈥檚 not the key 鈥 housebuilders won鈥檛 build if there鈥檚 no prospect of profit
Rodwell withdrawn from candidacy for Labour safe seat amid an internal investigation
Episode 5: Follow the money 鈥 Liz Peace, former chief executive of the British Property Federation, talks to Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill about finding a financial model to kick-start a nationwide affordable housebuilding programme
Firms including Balfour Beatty, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Atkins Realis set out 12 key measurers for next government
Conservatives also unveil 30 more towns in line for levelling up cash as main parties continue election campaigning
Which of the UK political parties has the best policies for the built environment? Tell us what you think in our reader survey
Proposed new law would聽strengthen powers of independent higher education regulator
The largest professional body for construction has launched its pre-election manifesto today
Polarising housing secretary says a 鈥榥ew generation鈥 should now lead Conservative Party
Architects and civil engineering firm join Jack Kirkland in endorsing oppposition party ahead of general election
Episode 4: Bricks and mortar, hearts and minds - Darren Rodwell, Labour鈥檚 candidate for Barking and council leader for the east London borough, on how he expects the Labour leadership to reveal more housing policy detail now the election has been called
Policy the result of party鈥檚 review into major project delivery
Initial thoughts from industry leaders as the prime minister unexpectedly calls a 4 July election
Shadow housing secretary and deputy Labour leader details new policy at UKREiiF event in Leeds
Benefits claimants will be given training in sectors deemed most at risk from labour shortages
UKGBC calls for 拢64bn to be spent on retrofit programme for country鈥檚 housing stock
After the local elections, Keir Starmer looks certain to be our next prime minister, but where are the details beyond the aspiration to 鈥榞et Britain building鈥?
Taylor Wimpey chief executive talks to Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill about why the planning system is broken and what would need to change for private housebuilders to consider building council homes at scale.聽Listen and read extracts here
Former PwC director also expected to continue working with Greater Manchester mayor on HS2 alternative from Birmingham to north
Episode 1: The Swiss Army Knife 鈥 Homes England chair talks to Jackie Sadek and Peter Bill about the importance of housing targets, reforms to planning and investing in MMC. Listen and read extracts here
Home Truths is聽a straight-talking podcast getting to the heart of this politically-charged debate - watch the trailer here
As the public sector-owned procurement specialist launches its Charter for Change, its chief executive tells Daniel Gayne how the next government can do more to promote the construction sector
Three new metro-mayoral positions will be among those filled as local and regional elections take place next month. Carl Brown reports.
The UK managing director talks to Tom Lowe about the impact that government dithering over net zero policy has had on her firm and the industry as a whole over the past five years
The first of Boris Johnson鈥檚 promised 40 hospitals will open this month. But huge delays to the 拢22bn programme mean that, months before an election, procurement for most of the work hasn鈥檛 even begun and there is no certainty that Labour will push ahead. Joey Gardiner asks what it all ...
Creative thinking is going to be vital in addressing decades of underinvestment in the fabric of our healthcare services
What might a third term for the capital鈥檚 most powerful politician look like? Daniel Gayne considers the mayor鈥檚 record so far
Sadiq Khan to set aside additional 拢10m to tackle problem
Over the next few months, 黑洞社区 will have a political focus: what do the parties have to offer? What does construction want and need? Here is the final instalment of our three-parter with an overview of election topics
With an election on the horizon, Daniel Gayne spoke to the leader of the representative body for construction SMEs to get his thoughts about the choices on offer
As the CLC publishes its latest bi-annual report, Carl Brown speaks to Mark Reynolds about the group鈥檚 achievements to date and future plans
Group wants incoming administration to set high standards
Infrastructure investment and planning reform two of 鈥榯hree pillars鈥 of party鈥檚 economic strategy
Over the next few months, 黑洞社区 will have a political focus: what do the parties have to offer? What does construction want and need? Here is the聽second instalment of our three-parter looking at election topics.
The chancellor missed an opportunity for meaningful demand-side stimuli in the Budget. With an election looming, the government must be more ambitious if it is to win the confidence of business leaders, says KPMG鈥檚 Holly Davis
Rishi Sunak will have to call a general election this year. Over the next few months, 黑洞社区 will have a political focus: what do the parties have to offer? What does construction want and need?聽 We kick off by examining some of the big industry issues
Public capital spending on education was less last year than at any time since Labour鈥檚 黑洞社区 Schools for the Future聽programme got up to speed 17 years ago. As part of 黑洞社区鈥檚 election focus, Joey Gardiner asks what can be done to stop our schools falling further into disrepair
We want to hear from you as we look in-depth at the key policy areas
Politicians are looking for a positive message and ways to kick-start economic growth,which might be why they are suddenly keen to be seen visiting construction sites