CIOB Calls for Stable Policy as Andy Burnham Becomes Prime Minister

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has welcomed Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister while pressing the new government to deliver stable, industry-informed policy on housing, infrastructure and skills. Dr Victoria Hills, CEO at CIOB, emphasised that close engagement between ministers, professional bodies and industry experts is essential to ensure policy reflects the realities of project delivery on the ground.

The statement, issued on 20 July 2026, comes as the UK construction sector faces persistent challenges in workforce development, retrofitting demand and infrastructure investment. Hills highlighted that the industry needs certainty above all: changes in ministerial leadership and shifts in long-term policy impact businesses' ability to plan, invest and recruit. She urged Burnham to honour existing infrastructure commitments and work collaboratively with the sector to restore confidence.

Devolution and Regional Skills Funding

CIOB has long advocated for devolved skills funding and decision-making powers to combined and local authorities. Hills reiterated this position, stating that regional leaders are best placed to understand local demand and the skills required to deliver priorities such as retrofitting, housing and infrastructure projects. The institute believes empowering mayors to work closely with local employers, educators and trainers can tackle local skills gaps more effectively than centralised approaches.

The call for devolution aligns with broader industry concerns about mismatches between training provision and regional labour market needs. As meaningful devolution takes shape under the new government, CIOB has signalled its readiness to continue working with ministers to ensure construction skills policy is fit for purpose.

Ministerial Stability and Long-Term Planning

The construction industry's dependence on long-term capital commitments makes it particularly vulnerable to policy volatility. Hills warned that frequent changes in ministerial leadership disrupt businesses' ability to plan investments and recruitment cycles. She called on the new Prime Minister to provide stable leadership, particularly in areas such as housing delivery, net-zero retrofitting and major infrastructure programmes.

CIOB's statement reflects growing frustration within the sector over stop-start policy cycles. Several major contractors and housebuilders have previously cited policy uncertainty as a barrier to scaling up operations and committing to multi-year training programmes. The institute's intervention signals that professional bodies are prepared to hold the new administration to account on consistency and follow-through.

Housing, Infrastructure and Economic Growth

The statement frames construction as central to the UK's economic recovery and social outcomes. Hills emphasised the industry's contribution to delivering homes, infrastructure and economic growth, provided the policy environment supports rather than hinders delivery. CIOB has offered to meet with any new ministers to assist with their areas of responsibility and highlight how construction can deliver positive outcomes for communities.

This willingness to engage reflects a broader trend among professional bodies seeking to shape policy at the earliest stages of a new administration. The institute's focus on housing, retrofitting and infrastructure mirrors the priorities outlined in recent government consultations, suggesting alignment on objectives even as delivery mechanisms remain contested.

Industry Response and Next Steps

CIOB's intervention comes at a critical juncture for the UK construction sector. With inflation pressures easing but labour shortages persisting, the new government faces pressure to deliver on housing targets while maintaining momentum on net-zero commitments. The institute's emphasis on stable policy and regional devolution provides a clear framework for ministerial priorities in the construction brief.

The statement also underscores the sector's demand for genuine partnership with government. Hills' offer to meet new ministers and provide on-the-ground expertise signals that professional bodies expect a seat at the table as policy is developed, not merely consulted after decisions are made. Whether the new administration embraces this collaborative model will shape industry-government relations for the term ahead.

As the new Prime Minister assembles his ministerial team, construction industry leaders will be watching closely for signals on housing, infrastructure spending and skills policy. CIOB's early intervention sets a benchmark for engagement, making clear that the sector expects continuity, consultation and commitment from Downing Street.

For further information on CIOB's policy positions, contact the organisation's press office at [email protected] or visit their official website.

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