On Tuesday at 1pm, Construction Matters takes a closer look at whether the new government may have unintentionally slowed itself down. Labour’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes within the lifetime of this Parliament is bold, yet the speed and scale of the reforms raise a fair question: have they tried to change too much, too quickly, and made the task harder in the process?
Gareth Wax will be hosting, joined by myself, Hamish McLay, as we explore whether the industry is being energised by these reforms or overwhelmed by their pace.
The target itself demands around 300,000 net additional homes a year. England has rarely reached that level, even in its strongest years. The government moved fast, introducing mandatory housing targets, reshaping planning rules and pushing for accelerated approvals almost immediately. Although many support the ambition, the sector is now seeing the strain of changes arriving before the system was ready.
Planning is the clearest example. Local authorities were told to deliver more and do it faster, yet staffing levels and resources were not increased first. Planning officers are now dealing with heavier expectations while still working within teams that were already overstretched. Instead of speeding things up, the system in many places has become more clogged, not less.
The construction workforce faces similar pressure. Skills shortages in bricklaying, roofing, groundwork, site management and inspection have been well-known for years. When policy begins driving rapid scaling without addressing the labour gap, delays naturally follow. Ambition needs hands on site, and at the moment, too few are available.
Supply chains are cautious as well. With policy shifting rapidly, developers and contractors are wary of committing to major schemes until they feel confident about stability. Reforms intended to build momentum have, in some cases, created hesitation instead.
There is also the challenge of constant adjustments to design standards, sustainability expectations and the government’s push for modern methods of construction. Innovation is welcome, yet the pace of change makes long-term investment difficult. If requirements shift every few months, the sector naturally steps back until clarity settles.
With all this in mind, it would be fair to say the government may have slowed its own progress by acting before strengthening the foundations. A more workable route might be a staged approach.
First, rebuild planning capacity. Without planners, nothing moves. Funding dedicated planning teams, modernising systems and expanding training pathways would clear the blockage at its source.
Second, put a national workforce plan in place. Encouraging apprenticeships, reopening specialist training routes, and working with industry groups to re-attract people who have left construction could help close the skills gap.
Third, stabilise regulations. Clear, consistent requirements for sustainability, design and MMC would give the industry confidence to invest.
Finally, build stronger partnerships between government, councils, housing associations and the private sector. Large-scale housing delivery only works when everyone pulls in the same direction.
We’ll take a closer look at all of this on Tuesday at 1pm. Construction Matters has always been a space for grounded discussion, and this episode will focus on how the country can move from ambitious targets to practical outcomes.
Watch live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea
For content enquiries:
For podcast/media info: