Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, prime minister Keir Starmer said that his plans will be “tough in the short-term, but in the long-term it’s the right thing to do for our country”
Speaking at his first Labour Party Conference as prime minister, Keir Starmer addressed a variety of topics in his keynote speech, although it was thin on concrete policy.
Both senior party figures and critics have felt that the rhetoric of Starmer’s Cabinet has been too glum, warning of hard choices necessary to save money- such as the controversial changes proposed for winter fuel allowance.
Whilst he did not dispute the serious tone of previous annoucements (“It will be hard- that’s not rhetoric, it’s reality”), Starmer was clearly determined to rally spirits, promising there is “light at the end of the tunnel”.
What were the key points of Keir Starmer’s keynote speech for the UK construction industry?
- More overground pylons to ensure cheaper energy
- Reiterating the 1.5m housing targets– with increased housing support for vulnerable populations to decrease homelessness
- GB Energy to be based in Aberdeen
- New prisons to be built
Fiscal changes
Chancellor Rachel Reeves already told the Labour Party Conference in her speech on Monday that she wanted to update the government’s fiscal rules- specifically the five year debt rule- to allow more spending on infrastructure such as roads and hospitals.
Starmer echoed Reeves’ sentiments, saying that there is: “not a debate about investment or reform. It’s always been both.”
Rebuilding public services
Starmer guaranteed housing for all veterans in housing need, as well as those at higher risk of homelessness, such as young care leavers and domestic abuse victims.
New foundation apprenticeships
The speech referenced the changes already proposed, such as replacing the apprenticeship levy with a reformed growth and skills levy, and shorter apprenticeships to help rectify the skills crisis.
Industry reactions to the speech were mixed
Trevor Stunden, partner at Kettel Homes, said: “Despite Labour’s positioning as the “party of homeownership,” this year’s Labour Party Conference speeches left much to be desired in terms of concrete plans to make this a reality. The keynote addresses from Starmer, Reeves, and Rayner repeatedly circled back to familiar territory: the Renters Reform Bill, planning reforms, and what has been dubbed the “biggest boost in a generation” for social housing.
“While these initiatives are commendable and essential parts of the broader housing landscape, there was a glaring omission—the demand side of the equation. We heard nothing about how to support those in the squeezed middle, who don’t qualify for government benefits but are struggling to realise their dream of homeownership. These are the young families who, in an ideal world, should be driving the market by purchasing homes. Yet, current planning permission data shows only 7,609 housing projects were approved between April and June this year—the lowest figure since records began in 1979.
“This signals a stark reality: first-time buyers, many from the squeezed middle, are not seeing viable pathways to homeownership through traditional means. The government’s target of 1.5m new homes across the next parliament continues to resonate in speeches, but without policies to stimulate demand and incentivise developers, there’s little motivation for homebuilders to transform vacant land into thriving communities.”
Sean Keyes, CEO, Sutcliffe, said: “The construction industry is looking to Keir Starmer to make good on his promise to invest in new, critical infrastructure projects – whether that’s housing, hospitals, or other key developments that will stimulate economic growth. Reaching ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ depends on this investment. And, if you’re serious about rebuilding the economy, you need first-class structural engineers to lay the groundwork. The construction industry is ready to meet this challenge head on and lead the charge to ‘get Britain building again’.
