CIAT response to Autumn Budget 2024

CIAT has today (30 October) responded to the Autumn Budget Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.

Eddie Weir PCIAT, CIAT President said:

The UK’s built environment is in urgent need of revitalisation. CIAT therefore welcomes today’s Budget Statement, which has set a clear direction of travel for the built environment, underpinned by a new approach to infrastructure investment.

In particular, the Institute is pleased to see Government commit to repairing and upgrading schools and hospitals that are reaching the end of their lifespan, investing in home insulation and retrofit, and taking steps to tackle unsafe cladding, which still puts residents at risk, seven years after the Grenfell fire.

CIAT also welcomes the support for much needed new homes, through direct investment, guarantees for the SME contractors which are the backbone of the sector, and changes to right to buy to facilitate local authority investment in social housing.

These are ambitious commitments, and CIAT is therefore pleased to see increased funding for further education and apprenticeships, as well as investment in planning capacity.

Of course, there remains much to be done. Skills investment must be targeted to the green building design and construction jobs of the future. Government must continue to advance the standards of quality and sustainability in all new homes. And with around 10 million cold, damp and energy inefficient homes across the UK, retrofit activity must be radically scaled up in the coming years. Small businesses will also be concerned that increased taxes will place pressure on already tight profit margins.

Chartered Architectural Technologists have the skills and expertise to deliver the high quality, safe and sustainable buildings of the future. We look forward to working with Government to deliver their programme of modernisation over the course of this parliament.