UK Budget 2025: PwC comments on the government’s initiative to hire more planners

James Bailey, Housing Leader, PwC UK comments on the government’s initiative to hire more planners:

“We welcome the government’s announcement to boost planning capacity. Removing barriers to increasing the supply of new homes is a critical pillar of economic growth, and today’s commitment to recruit hundreds more planners, supported by £48m of funding, is an important step towards tackling the delays and underinvestment that have held back progress for decades. The creation of a Planning Careers Hub and increased graduate recruitment are also positive steps. Building a steady supply of skills is vital for long-term capacity. Training and retention will help the planning system provide better homes, infrastructure, and communities, particularly where this is brought forward as part of a coherent strategy around broader skills investment in the construction supply chain.

“To maximise the benefits of this initiative, we would encourage government to target this additional capacity towards the areas of greatest need – where planning delays have the most significant impact on housing supply and economic development. We also believe there is merit in exploring options for ‘surge or specialist’ capability to address complex projects or unblock critical bottlenecks. This approach would help ensure that the positive impacts of faster decisions and improved delivery are felt where they matter most.”

Our full Budget reaction