We are set for one of the most anticipated autumn Budgets in years – with concerns growing over whether the chancellor will be able to keep her pledge not to raise taxes.
It will be a big Budget for the construction sector once again, with the industry viewed as one of the UK’s key drivers of economic growth in the future.
This is particularly true in East Anglia, with a number of major infrastructure projects, including Sizewell C, now underway alongside the government’s commitment to increase housing numbers.
Construction Anglia has spoken to a number of the region’s construction leaders to get their take on the upcoming Budget and what they would like to see in the chancellor’s announcement on November 26.
Adam Cummings, Commercial Director at Thurston-based Seamans Building, said consistency is key to supporting the sector, as long-term planning is crucial.
He said: “As a Suffolk-based main contractor working across East Anglia, we’re hoping this Budget brings some practical support for the businesses on the ground, the ones employing local people, training apprentices and delivering the buildings our communities rely on.
“First and foremost, we need certainty and consistency. Local builders like Seamans plan years ahead, not months, yet public sector work keeps arriving in short bursts.
“A steady pipeline of school, affordable housing, healthcare and community projects would do far more for jobs, training and local growth than any headline grant. Multi-year funding commitments for regional schemes are critical.
“We also need a level playing field. Too often, smaller regional firms are locked out by frameworks designed for national contractors. Public procurement should prioritise local delivery, keeping spend and skills in East Anglia where they belong.”
Adam said ensuring the sector has a robust workforce was vital to the industry’s success as the ‘labour gap is widening’.
He said: “The chancellor must make it easier for SMEs to access apprenticeship funding and offset training costs. Real investment in colleges and retraining would future-proof our workforce and open up the industry to a wider range of people.
“Finally, if we’re serious about building greener, it’s time to incentivise sustainable construction rather than over-regulate it.
“In short, give us stability, fairness and a clear direction,” he added.
“The East Anglian construction sector doesn’t need handouts; it needs confidence to invest, employ and deliver. That’s how we’ll keep building the region’s future.”
Sam Brown, Managing Director of Rose Homes for Life, is calling for decisive action to prevent slowdown of the construction and housing sectors, describing it as ‘a critical moment’ for the industry.
He said: “The combination of sluggish planning processes, rising development costs and the lack of targeted support for first-time buyers is putting immense pressure on builders of all sizes.
“Unless the upcoming Budget includes decisive measures to reverse this trajectory, the industry’s capacity to deliver the homes the country urgently needs will be severely constrained.”
Rose Homes for Life has highlighted several structural issues it says are negatively impacting the industry, including housing affordability, delays in the planning system, contracting uncertainty and escalating financial and regulatory burdens.
It also expressed concerns over additional taxation slowing the economy by reducing people’s liquidity and environmental constraints which can stall housing projects.
The company would like to see a new support scheme for first-time buyers, targeted support for SME builders, swift action on environmental blockages and comprehensive planning reform to create a faster, more predictable system.
It would also like to see the abolition of Stamp Duty Land Tax to increase housing transactions and stimulate consumer spending.
“The Autumn Budget is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate that it recognises the scale of the challenge and is prepared to act,” Sam added.
“With the right policies in place, our industry stands ready to accelerate delivery, strengthen local economies, and provide the high-quality homes and social infrastructure communities across the UK urgently need.”
Tim Tompkins, Director of Cost Management at Ipswich-based Castons, which is part of Artelia Group, said the company would like to see policies that provide financial certainty for the industry.
He said: “We need clarity and confidence for the construction sector through clear commitment on infrastructure delivery and public investment and support for effective cost planning and risk management.
“We need the government to streamline procurement and planning processes to accelerate project delivery to reduce delays and increase investment in skills development and sustainable construction practices to ensure the sector’s long-term resilience and growth.
“The construction industry needs policies that provide financial certainty, particularly for housing and infrastructure projects in the East, where demand remains high.”
Meanwhile, Lee Barnard, CEO of East Anglia-based housebuilder Denbury Homes, said the uncertain time between the pre-budget speech and Budget has negatively affected homebuyers and slowed the market.
He said: “The seemingly endless talk of tax rises and spending cuts in the period since the budget date was announced in September, has led to confusion and some unwillingness to proceed with house purchases or sales.
“This does not just relate to those areas concerning property such as stamp duty or council tax, but to the wider picture of income and inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and pension reform too – not to mention how changes in national insurance could affect businesses, individuals, or indeed landlords, through the suggestion that NI could be added to rental income.”
Mr Barnard echoed the call for more help for first time buyers to reignite the housing market.
“Since the end of the Help to Buy equity loan and Help to Buy ISA schemes we have seen a significant decrease in first-time buyer activity,” he said.
“Customers wanting to buy their first property find themselves struggling with affordability; with saving for a deposit proving particularly challenging.
“Without first time buyers being able to take that critical first step onto the ladder, the whole housing market is in danger of stagnating.”