Andy Burnham, formerly Mayor of Greater Manchester, became the UK’s Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer, after winning the Makerfield by-election. On taking office, he stated that ending rough sleeping would be his first instruction as PM, and confirmed that a full 10-year national plan will be published later this year.
Below is a summary of the announced policy areas most relevant to construction, based on current government and industry reporting.
1. Council housebuilding programme
Burnham has committed to a council housebuilding programme, described in some coverage as the largest such push since the post-war period. This sits alongside the existing £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme, of which at least 60% of homes are intended for social rent. The National Federation of Builders has said it expects SME housebuilders and regional contractors to be involved in delivery, and has called for planning reform to accompany the programme.
2. Devolution of planning powers
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 gives mayoral and regional authorities wider powers over planning, infrastructure, skills and economic development. This includes Mayoral Development Orders, which can grant advance planning permission for specific types of development in defined areas, and mayoral intervention powers on strategically significant applications. Industry commentary has noted this could shift more planning decision-making toward regional bodies rather than central government.
3. Reindustrialisation and infrastructure
Burnham’s broader industrial policy includes commitments to factories, defence estates, ports, logistics and power infrastructure, along with an emphasis on domestic (“sovereign”) manufacturing and public-sector procurement. Some financial commentary has linked this to potential increased activity for construction-linked firms such as Balfour Beatty, alongside defence contractors such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
4. Workforce and skills
Multiple industry sources have raised the question of workforce capacity, noting that housing and infrastructure targets depend on availability of skilled labour. One option referenced in legal/policy analysis is the use of council-run direct labour organisations to employ construction workers directly, alongside investment in technical education. No confirmed policy has yet been announced in this area.
5. Industry calls for policy stability
Organisations including the Chartered Institute of Housing have called for a stable policy environment, clarity on building safety requirements, and long-term funding settlements. Separately, a group of infrastructure and engineering bodies, including the Institution of Civil Engineers, has published an open letter urging the government to retain the existing 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy rather than replace it.
What happens next
The government’s full 10-year national plan is expected to be published later this year, which is when further policy detail ‚including on housing delivery, procurement reform and skills‚ is anticipated.
