Episode 21: 'Proud to call home': Can the UK build more homes without sacrificing quality?

Britain is aiming to build 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, backed by nearly £39 billion in public investment. But a key question around the deadline and the amount of homes needed to be built is: are we building them well?In this episode of BE Sustainable, we explore the findings of the ‘Proud to call home’ report, which calls for quality to be embedded across every stage of housing delivery — from policy and planning through to design, construction and long-term performance.Host Mike Speight is joined by Mike Reader MP, Chair of the APPGEBE - the All-Party Parliamentary Group that commissioned the report, alongside Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, and Ashley Wheaton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Built Environment.Together, they debate whether the UK can realistically deliver on its housing ambitions without compromising on standards. Drawing on insights from across government, industry and education, find out where the panel feels breakdowns occur, where accountability lies, and what can be done with the growing pressure on the construction sector. With just 8,620 apprentices qualifying in 2022/23, and industry bodies such as the Construction Industry Training Board highlighting the need for tens of thousands of new workers each year, the conversation turns to whether the sector has the capacity and the skills pipeline to deliver both volume and quality at scale.Links and resources‘Proud to call home’ report – All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built EnvironmentMike Reader MPSCAPE GroupConstruction Industry Training Board