Architects have given a mixed reaction to the budget, with many regretting the chancellor’s failure to place the environment at the centre of Britain’s recovery from the pandemic.

Leading the profession’s response, RIBA president Alan Jones said: “While the chancellor’s focus is understandably on mitigating the impact of the pandemic, the measures announced in the budget do little to reassure me of the government’s commitment to reach net zero or drive a green economic recovery.”

Some of the measures – such as the UK infrastructure bank and green gilts – could help the economy grow back more sustainably, he conceded, but added that it would depend entirely on future investment decisions.

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