UK Government Clearing the Sewage | Episode 123

Construction Disrupted Episode 123 - UK Government Clearing the Sewage (08.07.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.

In this episode, we're discussing the latest developments shaping the UK construction and housing landscape. We’ll explore political pledges, breakthrough infrastructure deals, and the critical skills gap threatening new-town ambitions. Let's go!

Will Andy Burnham’s pledge of growth in every postcode deliver bricks and mortar?

Andy Burnham, poised to become the UK’s next prime minister, is recognized for his clear and inspirational communication. His 10-year plan emphasizes investment beyond London, collaboration, and delivering “good growth for all.” However, the real challenge lies in translating this vision into tangible results. Burnham must leverage existing government capacity and capability to create momentum, especially as the nation expects policy promises to materialize by the third year of the parliamentary term. The effectiveness of his leadership will be measured by the ability to deliver actual construction and regeneration across every postcode, not just rhetoric.

Ministers clear sewage works deadlock stalling 18,000 homes

A major breakthrough has been achieved as the government, through the Water Delivery Taskforce, brokered a deal with Anglian Water to resolve wastewater capacity issues that had stalled nearly 20,000 homes in the East of England. The agreement introduces a phased infrastructure strategy, allowing housing developments and utility upgrades to progress together. Key schemes now moving forward include:

1. 7,750 homes at Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community
2. 3,700 homes at Dunton Hills, Essex
3. 3,400 homes at Spitalgate Heath, Grantham
4. 3,200 homes at Baldock, Hertfordshire
5. 21 homes at Beccles, Suffolk

The deal also initiates plans for a new water recycling centre and a strategic reservoir, marking another success for the government’s efforts to unblock housing delivery by addressing utility constraints.

Construction skills shortages threaten new-town delivery, MPs told

The government’s ambition to build tens of thousands of homes in seven new towns faces a significant hurdle: construction skills shortages. Jonathan Mitchell of Skills England warned MPs that talent gaps pose a “real risk” to these plans. The success of large-scale housing projects depends on a robust workforce, and current shortages could delay or derail delivery. Addressing this challenge will require coordinated efforts to attract, train, and retain skilled workers across the sector.

Bios

Ryan Jones - SLG Agency

For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.

His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.

In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.

Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.

Peter Sumpton - buildDifferent

Peter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.

His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.

Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.

Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.

Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.