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The Autumn Budget directly addressed the need to boost economic growth in the UK and with the OBR now forecasting an uplift in its expectations, the policies could help achieve that goal over the next five years.
Specifically, the chancellor provided clear commitments around advancing development and infrastructure across public services, including nuclear power, healthcare and education. What stood out to me in particular are the opportunities on offer for the modular sector, which can deliver the speed, precision and sustainability benefits that this new building boom will require.
The pledge to reduce waiting times and improve healthcare outcomes locally and nationwide is certainly welcome, but the challenge will lie in execution. The chancellor confirmed government plans to deliver 100 of 250 new neighbourhood health centres by 2030, meaning facilities will need to be deployed at a speed that traditional brick-and-mortar construction cannot achieve.
New facilities will need to be brought online swiftly while meeting the exacting standards required for clinical environments, with designed spaces that enhance wellbeing for staff and patients through features such as abundant natural light and high ceilings. Consequently, offsite construction and modular solutions will be critical to delivering improved, accessible, local healthcare.
Based on a report by John Fingleton, which advised that the UK should create a one stop shop for nuclear approvals, the government will work on a plan to deliver a reset of nuclear regulation within three months.
As well as helping the UK achieve net zero goals, a thriving British nuclear industry would benefit construction and manufacturing sectors too, as a more standardised regulatory consent process, with streamlined regulation and planning, would make it easier for projects to be delivered.
As new nuclear sites are approved, thousands of construction workers will be needed, often in remote locations, and there will likely be a large pipeline of associated ancillary facilities, including accommodation, welfare, office and support buildings.
Modular solutions will be required to deliver high quality, compliant infrastructure quickly through flexible, scalable buildings that can be installed at pace and adapted to meet evolving site needs. At Hinkley Point C, our modular solutions have been successfully implemented for a variety of purposes, including office spaces and catering facilities, showcasing their adjustability and cost-effectiveness.
Rapid deployment modular construction is the process of designing, manufacturing, and delivering modular buildings with speed and efficiency. Modules are manufactured in a factory-controlled environment, then transported and assembled onsite, so that the groundworks and module production can happen simultaneously. This significantly shortens the overall process and makes costs more predictable, as factory-controlled processes and shorter timelines help reduce the risk of unexpected delays or overspend.
Effective offsite construction will be essential for delivering the development projects proposed in the chancellor’s Budget. New infrastructure will need to be flexible, and modular units will be vital in providing a wide range of high quality, purpose-built spaces that can be easily reconfigured as needs evolve. Modules can also feature design elements which further enhance user engagement, productivity, and overall wellbeing within these buildings.
Net zero principles are vital in both the healthcare and nuclear industries, and this should be reflected in the building process for new sites. Modular buildings offer a range of sustainable benefits, including offsite construction with zero waste to landfill.
Rental modular units also improve circularity across sites as buildings are recycled or repurposed, meaning the carbon within them does not get released, in contrast to a traditionally constructed building that would have to be knocked down after use. This means that modular buildings accelerate the way to net zero and a greener future.
Overall, the Budget offers a positive outlook heading into 2026. The real test will be how fast these ambitions can come to light, and I’m excited to see the role that modular will play in making these ambitions become reality.
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