CIOB responds to Housing Minister's announcement on funds to support the use of MMC

Responding to the announcement today that the Housing Minister, Esther McVey MP, is supporting measures to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), including a ‘centre of excellence’ across the north of England, Caroline Gumble, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), said:

“We’re pleased to see the Government is recognising the opportunities to promote modern methods of construction, particularly with the centre of excellence in the north of England. With its heritage in engineering and manufacturing, the north has much to gain from the changing face of construction if it seizes the opportunities and we hope that the new centre for excellence can bring together and promote clusters of construction-related businesses. Technology is also opening up the possibilities that building offsite will ensure we have the precision-manufactured homes that meet requirements for quality and safety. The CIOB is committed to ensuring that both are at the heart of what is being delivered across construction and this will also open up another avenue to attract future talent into the sector.”

The CIOB is already aware of evidence that MMC and new construction technologies are taking off across the north, such as the Laing O’Rourke Explore Industrial Park near Worksop and the Legal & General Modular Homes project, just east of Leeds. Ilke Homes, which has plans to build 2,000 new homes annually, also has a factory in Knaresborough.

Details of the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government can be found on the gov.uk web site: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mcvey-let-s-build-a-housing-green-revolution-in-the-north-of-england