What Would a Burnham Government Mean for the Built Environment?
Here is what NFRC Members should be aware of:
A big push for council housing
One of Burnham's most prominent policy priorities during his time as Manchester Mayor and in interviews over previous months is a large-scale return to building social rented housing, specifically council homes, not just "affordable" housing in the broader sense.
He has called for 500,000 social rent homes to be built by the end of the decade and has suggested redirecting the existing £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme entirely toward that tenure. His team is also reportedly considering using the National Wealth Fund or Homes England's National Housing Bank to finance delivery.
A sustained public housebuilding programme of this scale would represent a significant pipeline of work. Social housing schemes tend to prioritise functionality, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness over luxury finishes. Local authorities are also more likely to specify trade or professional body membership for works, positioning NFRC Members favourably.
Regional delivery, less central control
Burnham has also called for greater freedom for regional authorities to manage housing delivery. Speaking recently, he criticised "scheme-by-scheme micromanagement" by Homes England and argued that regions should have more autonomy over how they build.
In practice, this could mean more locally-led procurement and commissioning, which may open up opportunities for regional contractors who have relationships with local authorities and combined mayoral governments.
Challenging the big developers
A policy paper published by close allies of Burnham's on Monday June 22, The Productive State, is sharply critical of large housebuilders. It argues that major developers deliberately manage the pace of construction to maintain profit margins, keeping supply limited and prices high.
The paper proposes a network of regional public housing corporations that would build at scale and at cost, effectively providing competition to private developers. It claims that a credible public alternative would force private builders to change their behaviour.
Whether it translates into delivered homes at scale will depend on implementation, but the stated intent is to disrupt the existing development model. It is worth noting however that some senior Labour figures in 2024 expressed similar sentiment before they were elected and little has changed in this complex arena.
Renewables and Solar
Ed Miliband is the strongest clean energy voice in Labour’s top team and recent reports have suggested he has been discussed as a possible Chancellor in a Burnham government.
Miliband has led the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero towards a rapid acceleration of solar adoption, with ‘further’ and ‘faster’ being the guiding principles.
With Miliband likely to have a strong position in the new government, programmes like the Warm Homes Plan, other renewables related measures, grid reform, home insulation, Great British Energy and the clean power by 2030 target, will likely remain priorities.
A consistent focus on solar and insulation will be good news for roofing contractors well positioned to take advantage.
Rent controls and landlord policy
The paper also proposes an emergency brake on private rents, preventing them from rising faster than inflation or earnings. It also floats adjustments to landlord taxation, with the aim of protecting those with smaller margins while dampening aggressive rent increases.
These measures are aimed at the private rented sector rather than construction directly. However, wider housing affordability policy shapes demand for new housing and refurbishment.
Technical education and workforce
In Greater Manchester, Burham launched the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), a technical education framework designed to offer a credible alternative to the academic route, with clear pathways into employment across key industries including construction and the green economy.
Speaking after his Makerfield by-election victory, he said he would push this model nationally: "No more an education system dominated by the university route, but an education system that offers a path for everybody, academic and technical, in equal balance." He also pledged a guaranteed work placement for every 16 to 18-year-old who wants one, work that the government is already undertaking.
What this means for roofing businesses
A Burnham government would likely mean more public housing work, a greater role for regional authorities in commissioning, and a long-term drive to improve technical skills in the workforce with a goal of championing parity of esteem between tertiary and technical education.
It is worth noting that none of this is guaranteed and the scale of ambition Burnham has outlined would require substantial investment and policy change to deliver at a difficult time for the UK economy.
NFRC will continue to monitor developments and engage with government on issues affecting Members.
