Insight
The Autumn Budget Detox: honesty is the best policy
23 Jan 2025
Three months after the release of the 170-page Autumn Budget, its implications for the UK are still making waves. To reflect on its impact, we hosted our first roundtable of the year at our Nottingham office, welcoming industry professionals for an open discussion on what the budget means for the built environment.
With guest speaker Anthony Everitt, Director of ADE Regeneration and Head of Funding Solutions for Willmott Dixon, and Oliver Hatton, director at Pick Everard chairing, the session brought together people from across the sector to discuss how the budget's growth, collaboration, and regeneration plans are unfolding.
Despite initial concerns about the UK’s economic outlook, the discussion began on a positive note with Anthony sharing some of the perceived strengths of the UK economy and opportunities in the future.
The data shared during the roundtable revealed that investment constraints may be beginning to ease, and cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Sheffield are experiencing noticeable growth. For the East Midlands, there’s optimism that this upward trajectory will filter through, creating opportunities for investment and regeneration in the region, which led nicely to the conversation of devolution plans.
With 11 combined authorities and combined county authorities already established in England, including the East Midlands Combined County Authority, the foundations for a more cohesive approach to planning and infrastructure are starting to push their way in. Mayors of these regions have been provided with 30-year funding certainty, allowing them to lay out long-term strategies for transformation, which we were all in agreement should create positive outcomes for the built environment.
Despite the positives outweighing the negatives, there was one challenge discussed in detail, the perception of public-private partnerships. While collaboration is vital where government funding and grants are low, some authorities are still hesitant to partner with private investors and companies due to the possibility of public scrutiny and favouritism. We have concluded that an education piece is essential to overcome these challenges.
The procurement process raised its head, leading to whispers about what changes the new procurement Act would bring come 24 February. The majority in the room expect it to simplify and streamline processes and increase transparency and accountability.
The roundtable highlighted the need for mutual understanding and trust to navigate this complexity. Encouragingly, participants saw this as an area where the sector could grow, with opportunities to foster stronger, more honest, and transparent relationships.
Though the Autumn Budget may have sparked debate, the roundtable emphasised that it has also laid the groundwork for progress. Devolution and long-term spending plans signal a more joined-up approach to regeneration and infrastructure, while economic data offers reasons to remain hopeful.
By focusing on transparency, embracing collaboration, and celebrating incremental successes, the built environment has the tools to tackle these challenges head-on. Our collective message was that honest and transparent collaboration across sectors - central and local government, consultants, and developers—is essential for navigating uncertainty and opening up new opportunities.