The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its Budget representation, which calls on HM Treasury to make provisions for socially-minded procurement, Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) and fair funding for the next generation of architects.
The RIBA specifically asks the Treasury to:
- encourage social value through government procurement
- mandate Post Occupancy Evaluations in all public sector projects
- ensure fair funding for the next generation of architects
- support the necessary conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth and placemaking – demonstrated through the RIBA Future Place programme
RIBA President, Professor Alan M Jones, said: “In his first Budget, the new Chancellor must make provisions to ensure that public money is spent in the right places. The government needs to take an outcomes-based approach – prioritising social value; ensuring buildings meet performance targets, and empowering communities. If supported by the Chancellor, these simple interventions would have huge benefits.
“As architects, we have a significant role to play in tackling climate change, solving the housing crisis and making sure buildings are safe, but the current funding model for future professionals fails to reflect the resource and time-intensive qualification period. Alongside continued support for apprenticeships, we need the government to invest in architects to ensure the UK remains a global leader.
“Investment in housing and infrastructure needs to be fundamentally smarter. Through better procurement, better use of post-occupancy data and fair funding for the profession, the government can help ensure better quality of life for people living across the country.”
