The second reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is due to take place today in the House of Commons and is expected to pass without resistance
As the Labour government still enjoys a 150+ majority in the House of Commons, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is expected to pass without incident, enabling the government to fast-track delivery of the flagship policy promising 1.5m new homes by 2029 and surrounding infrastructure.
Now, leading figures from 13 of the UK’s largest contractors and consultants have penned a letter calling for MPs to back the proposed planning reforms, both to achieve government targets and to protect future investment in UK businesses.
You can read the letter in full below:
An open letter to MPs: Delivering the planning and infrastructure reforms the UK needs
We write as 13 of the UK’s leading Tier 1 contractors and consultants, responsible for designing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the infrastructure that keeps the UK economy moving, people housed, secure and connected, and the lights on.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock growth, accelerate critical projects, and strengthen the UK’s competitiveness. The choices made now will determine whether the country seizes this moment – or let it slip away.
Communities, businesses and economic growth are being held back by a planning system that is too slow, uncertain, and costly. Delays to vital infrastructure – from transport to energy – are costing the economy billions.
This Bill is vital to ensure the UK remains a place where businesses can invest confidently and infrastructure can be delivered cost effectively and swiftly.
Robust debate is crucial. However, we ask parliamentarians and Government to approach the passage of the Bill with the focus and urgency required. Homes, transport links, and energy projects must not be placed in limbo when they should be driving growth, prosperity and strengthening our resilience.
We urge MPs to grasp the scale of this opportunity and support the Planning and Infrastructure Bill without diminishing its ambition. This is not just about cutting red tape – it’s about delivering a modern, world-class and affordable infrastructure system. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
The UK cannot afford to wait. Now is the time for leadership and action.
Signatories:
Chris Ball, President – UK & Ireland, AtkinsRéalis
Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive, Balfour Beatty
John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer, BAM, UK & Ireland
Alex Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer, Costain
Kate Kenny, Europe Executive Vice President and General Manager, Jacobs
Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Kier Group
Cathal O’Rourke, Group Chief Executive Officer, Laing O’Rourke
Mark Reynolds, Executive Chairman, Mace
James Harris, Group Executive Chair, Mott Macdonald
Katy Dowding, President and CEO, Skanska UK
Scott Wardrop, Chief Executive, VINCI Construction
Richard Offord, Chief Executive Officer, VolkerWessels UK
Paul Reilly, UK&I President and Managing Director, WSP
Some industry figures feel that areas have been overlooked in the legislation
Tim Seddon, CEO of Retirement Villages Group, comments on the second reading of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill: “The Planning & Infrastructure Bill is a much-needed step towards cutting through the excessive red tape that has stopped this country building for far too long. But I continue to have concerns that the Government is not sufficiently considering the specific needs of older people in its otherwise admirable drive for housing growth.
“Making it easier to build more older people’s housing, including integrated retirement communities (IRCs), quickly and at scale needs to be a priority now, not an afterthought. This is key to addressing the needs of our growing ageing population, but can also play a vital part in tackling the housing crisis more widely, freeing up housing stock across the ladder, as well as reducing pressure on over-stretched local services like the NHS and social care.
“As the Bill progresses through Parliament, I hope to see the Government work closely with the later living sector to make specific provision for older people’s housing needs.”
