Spring Statement shows green shoots of progress for the built environment, says CIAT

CIAT has welcomed the confirmation of skills funding and investment in affordable homes through the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

Responding to the statement, Eddie Weir PCIAT, President, said:

Today’s Spring Statement shows just how crucial modernising the built environment is to the UK economy, with the OBR forecasting that the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) already implemented will deliver an additional 170,000 homes by 2029, boosting GDP by 0.2% over the same period.

CIAT also welcomes the confirmation of £2 billion for the affordable homes programme in 2026-27 and £625 million over four years to expand and upskill the construction workforce. These green shoots of progress are welcome, but much more will be needed to deliver 1.5 million homes by 2029, and to upgrade a further five million years through the warm homes plan.

Chartered Architectural Technologists will be looking to the upcoming Spending Review to provide the additional investment required to tackle the housing crisis and deliver the high-quality, sustainable homes people need.