Ahead of the first December election since 1923 there have been pledges across the political spectrum on issues from the NHS, to policing, to a bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. We've trawled through the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos (so you don’t have to!) and assessed their pledges against our manifesto, which lays out the RIBA’s key asks for the incoming government.
The number of new homes being built in the UK has been a political talking point for years, and this election is no different. The Conservatives have pledged to build 200,000 a year for five years. The Lib Dems have promised the same amount and have committed to 100,000 of these being social housing. Labour have vowed to build 150,000 council and social homes a year; they have not, however, made a pledge about private housing.
Disappointingly, there is a lack of emphasis on quality in any of the manifestos. The Tories have pledged to allow for local authorities to decide their own design standards, but without adequate funding and resources this will not provide better designed and higher quality homes. RIBA welcomes the call in the Lib Dem and Labour manifestos to scrap permitted development: a key RIBA policy. Permitted development has allowed poor quality housing that often fails to meet local standards on space, amenity space and sustainability.
It's positive that climate action is high on the political agenda, with all three parties making several pledges to become more sustainable. Looking at the built environment specifically, which is responsible for 40% of emissions globally, Labour have committed to introducing a zero-carbon home standard for all new dwellings. The Lib Dems have said that new homes, and new non-domestic buildings, will be required to meet Passivhaus standards by 2025. The Conservatives have promised to support new homes that have low energy bills.
For existing buildings, the Tories will invest £9.2 billion to improve the energy efficiency of homes, schools and hospitals. The privately rented sector and insulating homes is where the Lib Dems plan to spend their time and money, while Labour pledge to upgrade the UK’s 27 million existing homes to the highest energy efficiency standards.
While these policies are encouraging, new statistics from the UN World Meteorological Organisation last week showed that the concentration of climate-heating greenhouse gases has hit a record high. Words are not enough, and the detail on how and when these policies will be implemented is critical to addressing the climate emergency.
Following the tragedy of Grenfell Tower, RIBA has been advocating for a ban on combustible cladding. We've also called for improved fire warnings and sprinklers on buildings over 18 metres tall and safer and alternatives means of escape for buildings over 11 metres. Labour have committed £1 billion to a Fire Safety Fund to replace dangerous cladding and install sprinklers while introducing new mandatory building standards regarding fire safety. Removing the unsafe cladding on high-rise residential buildings has been pledged by the Tory party. Sadly, the Lib Dems did not include any mention of fire safety in their manifesto.
Positively, the Conservative manifesto acknowledges that the UK is a world leader in architecture. However, we need skills and immigration systems that allow us to build on these strengths and continue to develop domestic and international talent. Both Labour and the Lib Dems have pledged to retain freedom of movement and create new visa systems that are flexible and will fill the required skills gaps.
Regardless of who forms the government this month, RIBA will continue to work closely with them to promote the excellent work of the UK architecture sector and the best interests of architects.
