In response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s 2024 Autumn Budget, key voices in the architectural sector have highlighted both the positive steps taken towards investment and growth and the need for even greater ambition, particularly regarding housing and infrastructure investments. While the chancellor’s £100 billion capital investment commitment has been widely welcomed, several industry leaders argue that more ambitious investment is needed to truly address the UK’s critical housing shortage and infrastructure demands.

RIBA was quick to acknowledge the importance of increased funding for affordable housing but stressed that the £500 million addition to the Affordable Homes Programme, while helpful, falls short of the scale required to meet current demands. RIBA President Muyiwa Oki stated: “Given the huge demand for housing, the £500 million top-up to the Affordable Homes Programme – as part of today’s Budget – is desperately needed. But this pocket-sized sum isn’t going to deliver a home for everybody who needs one, including the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for social housing.”

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