New industry report urges government to prioritise local funding, skills development, and procurement reform to unlock national construction goals
Public sector procurement authority SCAPE has released a new report calling for greater regional control and investment to meet the UK’s national construction and infrastructure targets. Titled A Year of Change: Public Good, Public Building – What the Nation Needs Now, the report outlines how local delivery models, devolved funding, and targeted construction skills investment can accelerate housing, infrastructure, and green energy projects across the country.
Key construction industry challenges:
-
Construction skills shortages across all UK regions
-
Limited flexibility in infrastructure funding for local authorities
-
Need for faster, more efficient public procurement frameworks
-
Lack of regional input in national construction policy
The report draws on insights from a UK-wide engagement programme with local authorities, contractors, and built environment leaders. It follows SCAPE’s Charter for Change, launched in May 2024, which set out key recommendations for improving delivery in the public sector construction market.
Turning UK construction policy into action
The construction sector is central to the UK government’s economic and levelling-up strategies, but SCAPE warns that national delivery targets will only be achieved if local authorities and combined authorities are empowered to lead on regional implementation.
The report praises recent policy wins — including the reinstatement of the Chief Construction Advisor and the rollout of a national construction upskilling programme — but stresses that action must now focus on delivery.
Mark Robinson, SCAPE group chief executive, said:
“One year on from launching our Charter for Change, we’ve seen encouraging progress: from the reinstatement of the Chief Construction Advisor to the rollout of a national upskilling programme. But this is just the beginning. Our conversations across the UK have shown that while each region faces distinct challenges, there is a shared commitment to delivering public good through construction. The next step is clear: we must turn policy into action by empowering local authorities, investing in future-focused skills, and fostering meaningful cross-sector collaboration.”
Construction delivery needs regional solutions
The report highlights that while national goals are aligned, regional disparities require tailored construction delivery strategies. For example:
-
Green energy projects in Wales
-
Transport infrastructure gaps in the East Midlands
-
Urban regeneration and housing delivery in the Central South
It also calls for improved communication between central and local government, including the creation of dedicated liaison roles to align local priorities with national strategy.
Efficient procurement and regional skills investment are key
The report recommends:
-
Programme-based delivery models to provide long-term visibility for contractors and suppliers
-
Increased investment in green construction skills and local employment pathways
-
Wider use of accelerated procurement frameworks to reduce delivery times and costs
SCAPE notes that its own procurement models have saved the public sector £118 million over five years, highlighting the potential for cost-efficient infrastructure delivery when frameworks are properly utilised.
Construction sector outlook: Aligning local and national priorities
With the construction industry playing a vital role in economic growth, housing, and sustainability, SCAPE’s report serves as a blueprint for how the UK can translate construction policy into regional success stories. The message is clear: backing local authorities with funding, skills, and streamlined procurement is essential to meeting the country’s long-term construction targets.
