Leading bodies welcome commitment to invest in the built environment in the Government Spending Review

CIBSE has praised the Government’s Spending Review for its clear commitment to investing in the built environment, with significant funding allocated to housing, schools, the NHS estate and energy efficiency. According to the Institute, the announcements represent a pivotal opportunity to improve the safety, sustainability and performance of the UK’s building stock – priorities that are at the heart of CIBSE’s mission.

CIBSE’s Technical Director, Dr Anastasia Mylona, commented:

“The government’s commitments to housing, schools, training, AI, healthcare and energy efficiency mark a significant step towards a safer and more sustainable built environment. Delivering high-performing buildings that are resilient, healthy and low-carbon will require not only investment, but also the application of robust standards and engineering expertise. We look forward to supporting the implementation of these plans with CIBSE’s technical guidance that ensures long-term quality and performance”.

RIC CEO Justin Young welcomed the focus on developing the energy infrastructure required to support energy security and grid decarbonisation, supporting economic growth.

He said: “Importantly, this commitment provides the clarity and confidence that local authorities and the wider built environment sector need to get construction started and to invest in the people, skills and materials that will make this ambition possible.

“We now need to ensure this ambition translates into action, with the right enabling conditions in place from a well-resourced planning system to a skilled a workforce. RICS and our members are ready to support the delivery of high-quality, affordable homes for communities across the UK.”

While the UKGBC said the review offered a lot of positive signs of commitment – particularly on retrofit, it said it leaves much of the heavy lifting to future budgets and policy reforms.

“Without a joined-up, long-term investment framework across planning, energy, nature, and resilience, the Government’s goals will remain fragmented and difficult to deliver at scale.  The built environment remains one of the clearest opportunities to drive down emissions, cut bills, and improve quality of life. It’s time for public investment to match that potential.”

Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said the review was finally some good news for construction, with confirmation of significant capital spending on fixed assets over the next decade being a relief, and the lever needed to unlock private sector investment.

“The big question is, can construction actually deliver all of this investment? In the current climate, suspicion says probably not. Unless the supply position radically changes, the sector is ill-equipped to meet extra demand.

“Therein lies the major problem for the government’s attempt to ‘get Britain building again’.”