Keith Richards, executive director at Trident Building Consultancy in Leeds, and Danny McEvoy, executive associate director for the North West.

Keith’s
comments:

The lack of
detail around infrastructure investment, particularly for the North, could
point to HS2 draining most of the investment pot. If this is the case, other
key investments, such as the northern answer to Crossrail, could be sidelined.

And though the
detail was thin on the ground, there is too much emphasis on roads and using
private cars. It was a missed opportunity for investing in public transport,
cycling and walking schemes and positioning them as legitimate modes of
transport.

That said, the
funding for a network of charging points for electric cars is a small but
positive step. It would have been sensible to subsidise the production of
electric cars and to encourage the UK to establish itself as a leader in this
field.

Yorkshire has
been greatly impacted by flooding in recent times and the budget for repairs
and defence schemes are unlikely to get close to resolving the problems in a
sustainable way. 

The investment
in carbon capture is encouraging though.

The additional
£1bn pledge to removing cladding is a substantial commitment but the Government
needs to continue this work through rapidly creating new systems and processes
to assure safe buildings; not just tall buildings clad with aluminium
composites or high-pressure laminates.

Finally, the
government’s plans to move 22,000 of its staff out of the capital is an
interesting notion. It would be good news for both the commercial and
residential property sectors, a substantial boost for construction and for
local economies. But that brings us full circle to infrastructure again and the
impact more people would have. The comprehensive spending review has a lot live
up to.

Danny’s
comments:

The government
may be ‘putting spades in the ground’ for growth in the North, but where and
when? Until there is an overall detailed plan, we cannot see the results we
need.

It is
encouraging to hear the Green Book is being reviewed. The North has long been
neglected and we need the funding to be devolved to metro mayors.

It was a
welcome change to see a ‘splashing the cash’ approach to the Budget but we want a Northern Budget with a say on where it gets
spent. Where were the updates on rail infrastructure for example? 

The £1bn
cladding fund was a welcome surprise and is undoubtedly a relief to
leaseholders. Now it needs rolling out to make people’s homes safe again.

Liverpool’s
business district has been seriously lacking in broadband infrastructure,
particularly where refurbs are concerned. The situation has been the same in
Manchester, the cost of installing a personal line or paying for a separate
dedicated broadband line can make office costs soar in the North West. The £5bn
investment in faster broadband is essential to enable businesses to work more
efficiently.

Clarity on how
the property and construction sector can achieve the government’s net zero 2050
goal has not been achieved today. There is huge investment in infrastructure
but no guidance on green delivery. The £800m for carbon capture is a drop in
the ocean compared to what was available from the Budget. It questions the
government’s commitment to collaborating on finding the best solutions.

Finally,
dropping business rates for retail,
leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value below £51,000 is a
boost for local high streets, particularly in towns.