Government investment commitments set the direction of travel, but it is delivery that counts. Jackie Maginnis, chief executive of the Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA), explores how industrialised construction can help translate investment plans into high-quality buildings that meet operational needs and deliver long-term value for the taxpayer
The UK has a substantial programme of public sector building investment ahead. In England, almost £20bn is earmarked for the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034-35, with more than 750 schools and sixth-form colleges set to benefit. A further £710m Renewal & Retrofit Programme will improve existing education buildings and address urgent condition requirements.
Healthcare is another major area of investment. The NHS has secured more than £44bn in capital funding for 2026- 27 to 2029-30, supporting hospital infrastructure, estates maintenance, diagnostics and community facilities.
Spanning different sectors, locations and delivery methods, these figures demonstrate the scale of the task ahead. For volumetric modular providers, the opportunity lies in identifying where their capabilities and delivery models can meet specific project requirements.
The case for a more efficient approach
While the current construction downturn presents challenges, forecasts point towards recovery, reinforcing the importance of productivity, skills and efficient delivery.
The Construction Industry Training Board’s Construction Workforce Outlook 2026–2030 forecasts UK construction output growth of 1.8% in 2027, rising to 2.8% in 2028. It also anticipates continued demand for additional workers, highlighting the need to use skills and resources effectively.
For clients planning new facilities or renewing existing estates, early consideration of the construction method is increasingly important.
Volumetric modular construction offers an industrialised approach in which much of the building work takes place in a controlled factory environment, while site preparation and other activities progress in parallel. This reduces the on-site programme, cutting disruption and helping bring facilities into use sooner. These advantages matter in schools, healthcare settings and public facilities, where maintaining services and managing access are essential.
A broader view of value
Factory-based production coordinated design and repeatable processes can improve productivity and quality, while shorter on-site programmes may reduce preliminaries, labour requirements and other site-related costs. Earlier completion can also deliver operational value where buildings are needed to accommodate pupils, provide clinical services or support business activity.
The extent of these benefits will vary according to building type, procurement route, specification and site conditions. Robust comparisons should consider total project costs, programme, quality requirements and intended use, rather than relying on headline prices alone.
A broader assessment also considers performance throughout a building’s working life. Maintenance, energy performance, adaptability and the potential for future expansion or reuse can all influence long-term costs, functionality and overall value.
Early engagement is central to achieving these benefits. Involving modular specialists during feasibility, design and procurement allows the construction method to inform decisions from the outset, helping teams coordinate requirements, identify efficiencies and develop a realistic delivery strategy.
From investment to outcomes
As investment programmes progress and construction activity is forecast to strengthen, the opportunity is to translate ambition into buildings that deliver lasting value. Industrialised methods of construction have an established role to play when the right approach is selected for each project.
This requires collaboration between clients, designers, contractors, manufacturers and procurement teams, and early consideration of where volumetric modular can offer the greatest benefits.
For organisations planning schools, healthcare facilities, public sector projects or commercial buildings, engage with the MPBA and our members early to assess suitability and commercial viability, and identify opportunities to improve programme efficiency, productivity and whole project value.
