Following the Autumn Budget, BAM UK & Ireland's Chief Operating Officer John Wilkinson welcomed the government's focus on regional regeneration and construction skills, while stressing that investment must be translated into real-world delivery.

John Wilkinson said: "Infrastructure is what turns economic ambition into tangible growth that people can see. It connects people to jobs, helps businesses grow and creates the schools, hospitals, transport links and energy networks that communities depend on in day-to-day life.

"The UK has an infrastructure pipeline worth £718 billion, representing an enormous opportunity for economic growth. Funding announcements must be matched by clear delivery plans. A reliable pipeline gives businesses the confidence to recruit, train and invest, turning national ambitions into jobs and opportunities across the country."

Pointing to BAM's experience and the importance of a systems approach, he said: "We see first-hand the difference infrastructure investment can make, from renewable energy connections capable of powering millions of homes to new schools, healthcare facilities and transport links, connecting vital parts of the UK. Planning and funding infrastructure as a connected system is essential to unlocking its full economic and social value. Delivering new homes, for example, must go hand in hand with the schools, healthcare, transport and utilities that make communities work.

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"The Chancellor's commitment to regional regeneration, including the introduction of Good Growth funds is welcome. Giving regional leaders greater control over investment decisions is a positive step. But local ambition must be matched by the funding certainty, capacity and streamlined decision-making needed to get projects moving.

"That certainty is also critical to addressing the construction sector's workforce challenge. The £100 million commitment to a local apprenticeship service and £50 million investment in Leeds College of Building are particularly welcome. With the industry needing an average of 41,200 additional workers every year to 2030, businesses need the confidence to invest in apprenticeships, training and long-term careers.

"We know the value of this investment first-hand. BAM UK & Ireland has worked closely with Leeds College of Building since 2016, when our partnership began with 40 apprentices. By September 2025, that number had grown to more than 230 degree apprentices, demonstrating what sustained collaboration between employers and education providers can achieve."

Emphasising social and environmental outcomes, Wilkinson said: "We must also look beyond what we build to how we build it. Infrastructure investment should create lasting value for communities and the environment, with community benefit and nature recovery considered from the outset rather than treated as an afterthought.

"The real measure of this Budget will be what gets built, not just what has been announced. Government and industry must work together to turn investment into lasting economic growth, that builds stronger communities and a better environment for future generations."