Institution responds to Chancellor's plans to speed up house building in the UK

The Institution's Dr Colin Brown says Government needs to be far more radical in its thinking if it wants to deliver an effective solution.

Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution for Mechanical Engineers, said in response to Chancellor George Osborne’s plans to speed up house building in the UK: 

“While today’s announcement on planning reform shows that the Government is taking action on the UK housing crisis, it needs to be far more radical in its thinking if it wants to deliver an effective solution. 

“Reforming the planning system is a one approach, but we fundamentally need to look at overhauling the way we construct homes in the UK. 

“Off-site construction technologies have advanced greatly in recent years and can offer shorter build times, better quality, better energy efficiency, less waste, and lower costs for buyers.

 “Government needs to support investment in the UK supply chain for off-site construction technologies, must reverse policies that are working against improvements in quality and standards and work much harder to diversify the UK housing supply market, by opening up much greater opportunities for self-builders, local authorities and housing associations. 

“We need a minimum of 250,000 houses to be built each year to keep up with the nation’s growing population. At no point over the last two decades has the figure exceeded 180,000, therefore, it is imperative this number is increased so we can meet demand.” 

To find out more read our recent policy statement UK House Building: Manufacturing Affordable Quality Homes