In brief, Rachel Reeves gives first speech as Chancellor

[edit] ECA responds to new government housebuilding and clean energy plans

ECA Chief Operating Officer Andrew Eldred said in response to the Chancellors statement

“We have seen a new era of opportunity set out by the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Energy Security. Businesses in the electrotechnical sector will welcome the swift actions taken by the new government with the prospect of economic growth promising busy order books after months of flatlining. These ambitions will increase an already stretched workforce and could exacerbate the culture of poor payment practice in supply chains. The government must work closely with industry to address these underlying structural issues to have a chance of fulfilling their pledges.”

New Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years, while new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has reiterated the Labour party’s pledges to boost energy independence and cut bills through clean power by 2030. ECA continues to campaign for the electrotechnical sector to be placed front-and-centre of the clean energy transition, through appropriate skills development and investment in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.

ECA works closely with its Members, industry partners and Government to raise the profile of electrical contractors in the transition to Net Zero Carbon. The Association produces regular guidance notes, technical bulletins, and industry updates to keep Members at the forefront of the Net Zero transition. Learn more here.

This section was issued via Press Release as 'ECA welcomes new government’s housebuilding and clean energy plans' dated July 9, 2024.

[edit] What Rachel Reeves outlined in her first speech

In her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves pledged to leaders of some of the UK’s pioneering industries to build growth on strong and secure foundations built on stability, investment and reform, and forged through a new partnership with the private sector.

The speech included note that the government is taking swift action to identify and unblock key ‘stalled sites’ to get large housing schemes moving forward, starting with four sites across England to unlock over 14,000 homes: Liverpool Central Docks, Northstowe, Worcester Parkway and Langley Sutton Coldfield.

The Deputy Prime Minister has committed to make the economic benefit of development a central consideration when intervening in the planning system. This approach will start immediately through the recovery of two appealed planning applications for data centres in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. The Deputy Prime Minister will write to local mayors and the Office for Investment to ensure that any investment opportunity with important planning considerations is brought to their attention, aiming to unlock major schemes from clean energy projects and transport infrastructure to film studios and art-entertainment venues.

The Chancellor has also confirmed that the government will support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country. Further announcements to accelerate the development of housing and infrastructure are due and are likely to include launching a consultation on an updated, growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework to include mandatory housing targets and a requirement to review greenbelt boundaries where necessary to meet them.

These will prioritise brownfield and “grey belt” land for development to meet housing targets where needed, partnered with new ‘golden rules’ that will make sure the development this frees up will also deliver thousands of affordable homes, including more for social rent.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: "Today I am taking immediate action to fix Britain’s economic foundations. By growing our economy we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off."

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "Our country is under new management and a new era for economic growth will be built on secure foundations. The Chancellor and I will work in lockstep to kickstart the economy, unleashing housebuilding and powering local growth. Change starts now. We will unblock the bottlenecks and drive forward a transformational package to build the homes people need."

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Every family has paid the price of the ban on onshore wind farms in higher energy bills. This ban has undermined our energy security, put costs on people’s bills – especially those on lower incomes – and held us back in our fight against climate change. This Government is wasting no time in delivering the bold plan we need to take back control of our energy; boosting our energy independence and cutting bills for families as we tackle the climate crisis.

"Getting rid of this ban and giving priority for planning permission for much needed infrastructure sends an immediate signal to investors here and around the world that the UK is back in business, an immediate step in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower."

This article is based on information published on the Gov.uk news story "Chancellor unveils a new era for economic growth" dated July 8, 2024.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Does the Autumn Statement fire the starting pistol for an election campaign?
• Chancellor's 2022 Autumn statement industry response..
• Construction industry responds to general election announcement.
• Construction industry reactions to the election result.
• Industry responds as Rishi Sunak becomes new PM.
• Political party manifestos, design, construction and a last look.
• The Edge policy proposals for the built and natural environment 2022.
• The general election and why a shortage of electrical apprentices matters.
• The construction industry ramps up for the general election.
• What the political party manifestos say on housebuilding and building safety.