Property industry responds to election announcement
Property industry leaders have been calling for action from the next government after Wednesday’s announcement of a general election.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) responded to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement that a general election would be held on July 4, 2024, by demanding a national retrofit strategy.
RIBA president Muyiwa Oki said: “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.”
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) called for a housing delivery strategy to meet targets and create safe, affordable, high-quality homes for owners and renters.
It also demanded a focus on revitalising communities, unlocking growth and creating an attractive investment environment.
It called for the development of a low-carbon, highly-skilled Britain that supports energy security needs by investing in energy-efficient buildings, a renewable-centric national grid and sustainable infrastructure.
“The RICS manifesto aims to support the creation of a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous UK.
“It addresses challenges faced in the construction and real estate sectors, promotes sustainable development, and solves the skills shortage.
“RICS and its members can support policymakers in refining their ideas into holistic policies that will work.
“Our public interest mandate and our professional expertise across the built and natural environment will prove invaluable, and we are ready to work in partnership with all political parties to realise their ambitious agenda and to ensure a built and natural environment that works for all,” it added.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said these next six weeks were a chance to hammer home to all parties how reform was desperately needed.
“In the next few days, our manifesto, Support Construction to Support Growth, will launch to help the parties understand those challenges,” he said.
Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the NFB, added: “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, understanding the commercial impacts of its decision and most importantly, talk to those they will rely on to implement their promises.”