Eve Livett, CEO of the Masonry Association of Great Britain, and Tony Higson, CEO and managing director at Grayson, share what they would like to see in the upcoming budget
The UK construction autumn budget is coming on 26 November, with many expecting major changes from tax rises to changes to stamp duty.
Two industry leaders have shared their thoughts with us on what changes would be beneficial to the construction industry.
Eve Livett, CEO of the Masonry Association of Great Britain:
As the Autumn Budget approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about what the construction industry really needs to keep moving forward. For all the talk about growth, skills and sustainability, the reality is that our sector is ready and willing to deliver. We just need the government to create the right conditions for it to happen.
The masonry industry, which I’m proud to represent through the Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB), is at the heart of that ambition. Our members manufacture, supply and build with materials that quite literally shape the world around us. We’re part of an industry that supports skilled jobs, drives regional economies and has a major role to play in achieving net zero. The Autumn Budget in November is an opportunity for the Chancellor to show that this contribution is recognised and valued.
One of the biggest frustrations we face is the way the current VAT system actively discourages essential work like retrofit and energy efficiency improvements. That has to change. If we’re serious about tackling energy use and carbon emissions, we should be encouraging people to improve the buildings we already have, not making it more expensive. A simple VAT relief on retrofit projects would be a huge step forward, boosting work for small builders, improving housing stock and helping households cut their bills.
Balancing skills and business rates
Business rates are another big issue. Across the UK, our manufacturers are investing heavily in greener production, upgrading kilns, installing new curing systems and using renewable energy. These are big, long-term investments. If reforms to business rates pile extra costs onto those companies, it risks undoing all that good work. We need a system that rewards businesses investing in decarbonisation, not one that makes it harder for them to do the right thing.
Skills are another area that simply can’t be ignored. We all know that to meet housing and infrastructure targets, we need a strong, skilled workforce, and that means more investment in apprenticeships and vocational training. Traditional trades like bricklaying and stonemasonry are the backbone of our industry, but they don’t always get the recognition or support they deserve.
We also need to make it easier for smaller firms to take on apprentices
They’re often the best places for young people to learn, but the costs and paperwork can be off-putting. At the National Masonry Academy, we stand ready to deliver high-quality training that can help meet these targets. With a bit more government support, we could scale that up to help meet national targets and build a truly resilient workforce for the future.
This focus on skills and training becomes even more important considering the government’s recent plan to build 12 new towns across England, an ambitious and much-needed initiative to address housing demand and support local economic growth. The MAGB fully welcomes this vision. It presents an incredible opportunity not just to deliver the homes people need, but to do so in a way that supports sustainable, skilled employment and builds strong, lasting communities. Delivering 12 new towns successfully will take careful planning and a coordinated effort across the construction supply chain. Masonry will have a crucial role to play in this, as it provides the strength, durability and quality that these new communities will rely on for generations. But it will also require people; thousands of skilled professionals with the right knowledge, technical ability, and craftsmanship. That’s why we’re focused on ensuring the industry is prepared for this challenge by promoting apprenticeships, training and lifelong learning across all levels.
Delivering net zero
When it comes to net zero, we also need to make sure policy recognises the genuine strengths of traditional materials like masonry. In the race to embrace new materials and technologies, we shouldn’t overlook what already works. Achieving net zero will require both innovation and the smarter use of proven, time-tested solutions. We’d also like to see green capital allowances introduced to help manufacturers invest in cleaner, more efficient production.
Many in our industry are already making huge efforts to reduce embodied carbon, but it’s a long and expensive process. Targeted incentives would make a real difference, helping firms modernise faster and maintain their competitiveness while continuing to lower their environmental impact. Environmental regulation is important, but it needs to be proportionate. The masonry sector already performs strongly in this area, with a high proportion of reusable and recyclable materials, and many manufacturers have closed-loop systems in place. Any new taxes or levies should take that into account.
The goal should be to encourage continuous improvement, not punish sectors that are already doing the right thing.
Finally, there’s the issue of fairness in global trade. UK manufacturers are investing heavily in clean production, but that effort is undermined when imported products made to lower environmental standards can be sold more cheaply. We need carbon border measures to make sure that sustainability and responsible manufacturing are rewarded, not undercut. A level playing field is essential if we’re serious about supporting British jobs and green growth.
The masonry industry is ready to play its part in building a stronger, greener Britain. If the government can get the fundamentals right – fair taxes, proper investment in skills, recognition of sustainable materials, and support for responsible manufacturers – we can deliver the homes and infrastructure the UK needs.
Tony Higson, CEO and managing director at Grayson
My biggest concern right now is the 1.5m homes promise. The whole industry is sitting still, not making any gains or moves, and it feels like we’re quietly edging away from that original commitment. The government’s latest 12 new towns plan is being presented as a bold new solution, but when you look at the numbers, it simply doesn’t stack up.
It’s said that the towns and policies will generate 300,000 homes per year over the next decade, which is a million miles away from what was pledged. I think there’s a realisation setting in that the original target isn’t going to happen, and the hope seems to be that everyone will simply forget.
As the Autumn Budget approaches, we need to get back to what really matters for housing: Helping people move into homes and giving the sector the clarity and support it desperately needs. If you want to understand the true state of housing in this country, don’t ask a politician or an economist; ask the people actually building and selling the homes. From where we stand, the reality is stark. There’s plenty of talk about ambition, but there’s very little actual money or policy direction to make it happen. The 1.5m homes target is drifting further out of reach, and unless decisive action is taken now, it will remain nothing more than a headline.
To meet the original housebuilding target, current delivery must be doubled
Housebuilding must be the foundation of any credible response to the housing crisis. That means a co-ordinated approach across both public and private sectors. We absolutely need more council and social housing for families who can’t access the private market, but we also must accept that over 80% of homes are delivered by private developers. Without a stable, predictable environment, those developers can’t operate effectively. Right now, confidence is collapsing across the market. Planning rules keep changing, taxes and levies are unpredictable, and the uncertainty makes developers hesitant to invest. The government needs to provide clarity and consistency; a long-term strategy that gives builders confidence to commit, hire and build. Confidence is every bit as important as funding. No developer is going to commit to a long-term project if they think the rules will change halfway through.
We’re currently building fewer than 200,000 homes a year, and the trend is heading the wrong way. To meet the original target, that number needs to be more than double. Even the repeated claims of delivering 300,000 homes a year over the next decade don’t match the reality on the ground, and is nowhere near what’s required to fix the problem.
Without urgent intervention, we’re looking at another decade of idle builders, frustrated buyers and broken promises. Mortgages remain out of reach for many first-time buyers, and existing homeowners are hesitant to move because of high taxes and speculation about new levies. Landlords are leaving the market, further squeezing supply. Estate agents and developers across the country are all saying the same thing: confidence has disappeared. Unless the Autumn Budget provides clear direction, this slowdown could turn into long-term stagnation. Developers want to build, but they need to know that if they invest time, money and resources, the rules won’t change halfway through the process. Clear, long-term policy would unlock stalled projects, accelerate housebuilding, and get homes built for the people who need them most.
To truly deliver, the government needs to focus on three things: restoring confidence across the housing market, supporting both public and private housing delivery, and putting in place a joined-up, deliverable strategy. Anything less will just be another round of promises that never materialise. With the right investment, support, and clarity, we can deliver homes at scale, train the next generation, and strengthen communities across the country. The moment to act is now. Waiting any longer will only deepen the crisis and push homeownership even further out of reach.
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