Mace Consult’s latest quarterly UK Market View highlights the opportunities devolution could create across housing, transport and public services, while warning that greater local powers alone will not translate into projects on the ground
The latest data underlines the challenging backdrop. Construction output fell 1.0% in the three months to August and is 1.6% below a year ago, while new orders fell 11.8% in Q2, marking the third consecutive quarterly decline.
Meanwhile, construction material price inflation reached 6.4% in August, its highest level since March 2023.
In this context, the report explores how greater local control over housing, transport, regeneration and public services could help strengthen regional construction pipelines.
Devolution success depends on effective coordination
However, Mace Consult warns that success will depend on funding certainty, local delivery capability and effective coordination between central and local government.
Ceri Evans, global director of cost and commercial management, Mace Consult, explained: “The UK construction market is entering a period in which opportunity and delivery risk are moving in parallel.
“Devolution, planning reform and changes to the methodology behind public sector appraisals could unlock a stronger pipeline across housing, transport and public services, giving local leaders greater influence over investment. But policy ambition alone will not put projects on site.”
“Clients and local authorities will need clear funding, realistic programmes, robust supply-chain due diligence and early commercial engagement. Those that combine local ambition with disciplined decision-making will be best placed to improve certainty, manage inflation and convert the emerging policy opportunity into successful outcomes.”
Planning reforms could help more projects progress
The report also examines planning and infrastructure reforms that could help more projects progress, including stronger support for suitable housing developments near well-connected transport links and reducing the government’s discount rate from 3.5% to 3.0%.
With weaker demand being balanced by renewed cost pressures, Mace Consult has left its 2026 tender price inflation forecasts unchanged at 3.5% for national real estate, 4.5% for national infrastructure and 3.5% for London.
Ultimately, the report concludes that converting policy ambition into successful projects will require early commercial engagement, realistic delivery plans and robust decision-making.
