The Spring Statement announcement on 26 March 2025 detailed the Government’s pledge to boost the affordable housing sector and address the construction skills gap. Our expert, Steven Collin commented on the announcements:
“Measures announced this week and in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement for an additional £625m package to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers is a positive move for the construction industry where the shortage of workers and dwindling interest in the sector from school leavers has been felt for some time. We really value our quantity surveying apprenticeship scheme and heavily invest in supporting our team with their RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) qualification, so the funding boost for wider industry training will be a welcome shot in the arm.
“Many of those who have left the construction industry could bring vital experience and knowledge, essential for roles such as clerk of works and employer’s agents, so it’s encouraging to see the Government looking at initiatives to support them re-engaging with the industry. We work predominately in the affordable and social housing sectors, so the additional £2bn announced for social and affordable housing for 2026-27, as well boosting the construction workforce behind the build, is very good news.”