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The industry has broadly welcomed yesterday鈥檚 budget, which included new funding for regeneration and energy projects although there was some criticism over the lack of progress on retrofit.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt鈥檚 announcements included 拢20bn in funding for carbon capture and storage (CCUS) schemes, the launch of Great British Nuclear and 拢960m in funding for 12 new investment zones.

He also committed a total of 拢600m for regeneration and levelling up projects, 鈥榯railblazer鈥� devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities and added five construction roles to the shortage occupation list to make it easier for firms to attract labour from abroad.

The most significant announcement for the wider economy was an expansion of free childcare to children aged under five, a move which the Chartered Institute of 好色先生TV (CIOB) said would help get more women to work in construction.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important the construction sector now seizes this opportunity and works together with Government to promote the vast range of roles available and the value women can bring to what is typically a male dominated working environment,鈥� Eddie Tuttle, Director of policy, external affairs and research at the CIOB said.

Pick Everard people and culture director Elizabeth Hardwick-Smith said the change would unlock work for those who had felt pressured to reduce their hours to care for their young families.

鈥淥perating within a sector that struggles to attract and retain as many women as men, we welcome the announcement of extended childcare support for one-to-two-year-olds. 

鈥淏eing unable to access or afford childcare is seen as a significant barrier to work, especially for women,鈥� she said.

Hunt鈥檚 commitment to CCUS funding was broadly welcomed as a vote of confidence in an emerging sector which is seen as a key element in the government鈥檚 net zero ambitions.

>> Read more: Budget 2023: Key measures at-a-glance

>> Read more: Budget 2023: All our coverage in one place

National Infrastructure Commission chair John Armitt said the programme 鈥渟hould help crowd in private investment and build a pipeline of CCUS projects that will play an important role in decarbonising the economy鈥�.

Atkins chief UK and Europe chief executive Richard Robinson also welcomed the move, although it was criticised by Timber Developments UK David Hopkins, who asked whether the government had 鈥渕issed an opportunity to invest in an already existing technology in the form of 鈥榯rees鈥欌��.

Robinson praised the budget鈥檚 launch of Great British Nuclear (GBN), a new body which aims to support the development of new nuclear plants including small modular reactors. 

But he added that the government must now focus on enabling the delivery of schemes by streamlining the planning process, and providing a 鈥渇ar clearer long-term view of investment priorities which will give businesses the direction needed to recruit, upskill and innovate with greater confidence鈥�.

WSP UK chief strategy officer Paul Tremble said the potential of both nuclear and CCUS to 鈥渄iversify our energy mix, create jobs and drive growth cannot be understated and it鈥檚 imperative this support is consistent and long-term鈥�.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association also lended its backing to the GBN launch, but said it 鈥渕ust herald a new era in which the ambition of delivering new nuclear generation translates from words to action鈥�.

Hunt鈥檚 reimagining of Liz Truss鈥� investment zones plan, which includes requirements to support carbon emissions reductions, was received warmly across all industry industry quarters.

The UK Green 好色先生TV Council鈥檚 deputy chief executive Simon McWhirter said it was encouraging that the zones must support the UK鈥檚 path to net zero, but added that they must meet robust environmental standards.

The RICS also welcomed the plan, while McBains managing director Clive Docwra said it would hopefully trigger investment in infrastructure and house building in regions affected by the delay to HS2.

Meanwhile, the devolution deals were praised by Scape chief executive Mark Robinson, who said the move was a 鈥渟ignificant takeaway for the construction industry鈥�. 

鈥淗aving greater say over local transport, skills and housing will ultimately lead to more focused spending, which can only benefit investment in local communities 鈥� be that infrastructure-led or otherwise. We hope this sets a precedent to be swiftly followed in future Budgets,鈥� he said.

The budget鈥檚 harshest criticisms were levelled at the lack of funding for retrofits and energy efficiency improvements, frequently seen as a weak point in the government鈥檚 progress towards net zero.

Cara Jenkinson, cities manager at climate solutions charity Ashden said the budget was a 鈥渢errible wasted opportunity,鈥� adding that the 拢20bn earmarked for CCUS would be better spent on upgrading energy efficiency in buildings.

鈥淭he chancellor鈥檚 thinking needs a rapid upgrade - just like 19 million homes in the UK that need retrofitting. By laying out measures to boost retrofit demand and creating a generation of skilled retrofit workers, he could have not only generated savings for struggling households, but also given businesses the confidence needed to generate over 200,000 new energy efficiency jobs,鈥� she said.

Federation of Master Builders chief executive Brian Berry added it was disappointing that retrofit made no appearance in the budget. 鈥淚t is one of the most pressing issues and could result in a huge boost in jobs and economic activity at the local level,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e had seen small measures rolled out in the last Budget and had hoped the Government would embrace retrofit as a major long-term infrastructure project but this opportunity has been lost.鈥�