As the ink dries on the 2025 Autumn Budget, true to form, there remains many unanswered questions for professionals across the housing and construction sector. We’ll break down what you need to know in relation to the wider housing sector and how we move forward with changes, or lack thereof.
Beyond the Headlines
No new Help to Buy scheme, no significant overhaul of stamp duty thresholds, and a cautious approach to fiscal support for the housing sector. While these decisions may seem disappointing, it’s essential to look beyond the headlines and understand the potential implications. For the industry, clarity on policy direction is as vital as the policies themselves. So, how does the sector adapt to this landscape and what opportunities might still exist behind the apparent calm?
Without direct government intervention to boost demand, traditional market activity may slow. Developers and local authorities will need to innovate and collaborate more proactively to meet housing targets and support local communities.
The Absence of Help to Buy
The Budget did not introduce a new Help to Buy scheme or resurrect the expired scheme, a move that many in the sector had hoped for or desperately needs. This scheme has historically played a crucial role in supporting first-time buyers and stimulating new housing supply. Its absence signals a cautious stance from the government amidst economic volatility – it also underscores the urgent need for alternative measures to help bridge the affordability gap.
The affordable housing sector must continue to innovate to create attainable housing options. The lack of government-backed incentives may slow some projects, but it also presents an opportunity for partners committed to long-term community impact to lead with market-driven solutions.
Stamp Duty Standstill
The government chose to hold the line on stamp duty thresholds, missing a chance to further incentivise transactions. This decision may contribute to slower turnover, especially in high-value areas like London. Any potential relief or adjustments could have helped energise the market, but in its absence, buyer confidence may continue to face headwinds.
For SHP and others in the sector, this means maintaining momentum through progressive partnership models. It also encourages proactive engagement with local authorities and stakeholders to keep projects moving forward despite broader market hesitations.
Long-Term Skill Investment
One of the more positive announcements was the commitment to support apprenticeship schemes, specifically funding training for under-25s in small and medium-sized businesses, with £1.5 billion allocated. This focus on building skills is vital in addressing the sector’s critical skills shortage. Additionally, there was emphasis on infrastructure investment, acknowledging the interconnectedness of housing and community development.
Investing in workforce development is a strategic move for any organisation in the housing and construction sector. A skilled, ready workforce trained to your standard and loyal to your mission in a thinning workforce is going to be infinitely more valuable than any policy shift.
£48m to Recruit 350 more Planners
The recruitment drive will be delivered by creating a new planning careers hub which targets training mid-career professionals but also focusing on retaining existing planners in the system.
Additional resource within the planning system along with planning with the much published planning reform, will hopefully see a change in the speed of planning application, the interaction and planners making sure the right development are built in the right places and very much need generated development for the community, rather than the pressure to get through the planning system and deliver numbers.
Industry Stability or Uncertainty?
Will this Budget stimulate growth or merely maintain stability? The truth is, it’s a mix – certain measures provide a foundation, yet uncertainty remains. While the 2025 Autumn Budget may not deliver all the immediate support many hoped for. Our role at SHP, however, is to focus on what we control: delivering quality homes, fostering strong partnerships, and navigating the complexities of policy to turn challenges into opportunities.
If you need an honest, fresh perspective on your pipeline right now, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to attain certainty in uncertainty.
Christopher Timmins | MD
