Urban Forecast welcomes Mike Reader, British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament, for a candid conversation on the realities of delivering change in the UK’s built environment.

Drawing on his background in construction and public sector delivery, Mike shares what it’s really like stepping into politics, and what the government is doing to increase the pace of change in the industry. The discussion dives into housing delivery, quality issues in new homes, and the balance between regulation and viability.

The episode also explores the future of construction through the lens of skills, AI adoption, and productivity challenges. From the risks of over-regulation to the opportunities for smarter policy and better data, this is a grounded and pragmatic look at how the UK can build better, faster and more sustainably.


Key Takeaways

The construction sector still struggles with productivity, and iwe question whether the industry itself is the main barrier to change

Skills are a critical issue, but data shows positive momentum with a growing proportion of younger workers entering the industry

AI presents major opportunities but adoption is slowed by concerns around intellectual property, liability and insurance

Housing quality remains a serious challenge, with widespread defects and snagging issues in new builds

Delivering homes is not just about quantity but also quality of place, product and user experience

Layers of regulation and policy often fail to deliver real-world value and can actively slow or prevent development- how can we make smart policies that do not add another layer of burden?

Long-term policy consistency is difficult in a political system where priorities can shift every election cycle


Best Moments

“Politics is a lot of process and scrutiny. That means the pace of change is really slow.”

“There are still too many homes built poorly, with too many snagging issues.”
“Can we make housing great again? Can we make developers want to build housing again?”

“Finding how we break through the legal quagmire of central government is the biggest challenge.”

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.


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