BUILDOFFSITE launches its new Manifesto for Government
Vision
In May we launched a bold, agenda-setting vision: to scale up Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) across the built environment over the next five years. Our message to Government is simple: Offsite must move from being the exception—to becoming the expectation.
Our brand new manifesto outlines six policy priorities. The most urgent is our request to Government to break down persistent barriers to growth and help unlock a reliable pipeline of demand. That’s how manufacturers will be enabled to deliver safe and net zero homes as well as a dependable infrastructure the country needs.
Second, we fully support the Government’s drive to embed sustainability and digital transformation through MMC but stronger financial incentives and more robust policy backing are essential to accelerate progress.
We’re also urging Government to promote the use of our Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS). BOPAS website, add link. The Government could make accreditation mandatory on its projects and provide companies with financial assistance to pay for this sought after certification.
Our Manifesto sets out how we can collaborate with Government to drive systemic change, and you can read it here: add link
Evidence
One of the key pillars highlighted in our 2025-2030 Manifesto is providing guidance and empirical evidence which will help shape the future of the MMC sector and enable the increased adoption of our solutions. BUILDOFFSITE’s recent publication on performance specifications is a very good example of our cross-industry collaboration for impact. It was launched at an in person event which attracted a lot of Arm’s Length Body (ALB) representation and was kindly hosted by ALB TfL. The new guide emphasises the Manifesto’s policy ask that frameworks should be performance driven. Add link to press release.
Government engagement
BUILDOFFSITE is now proactively taking our new Manifesto and our evidence to Government. We spoke on behalf of the industry at the ministerial launch of BSI’s PAS 8700 and met with the Department for Business and Trade. BUILDOFFSITE Industry Advisers have also presented at a recent cross-departmental MMC steering group and attended CLC meetings. We continue to be in ongoing discussions about our ground breaking policy asks with civil servants from various departments.
Parliamentary representation
BOS member Anthony Pearce (APPLY) and Dirk Vennix (BOS Executive Director) also presented to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Excellence in the Built Environment in July.
We were asked how our sector could deliver 1.5 million quality homes in the current parliamentary term. Dirk Vennix stressed the need for industrialisation and standardization of the production in the housing sector and suggested Government could lead the way with presuming in favour of MMC adoption on publicly funded projects. Providing the offsite manufacturing sector with predictable and visible pipeline was critical to accelerating the build of new homes. Anthony Pearce also stressed the sector’s unique contribution to driving net zero carbon which could lead to net zero bills. He highlighted the successful application of low carbon materials in manufacturing processes and provided the example of Hemspan’s Rochford Park plan (add link to website).
The Inquiry Commission asked us a number of questions. In this context we stressed the need to educate the construction sector and develop the right skills. Government support is essential to develop a stronger MMC workforce, including independent MMC advisers. No single project manager can be an expert in every facet of a complex, multi-year project. An MMC adviser brings specialist knowledge and provides impartial, informed guidance. Their impact on outcomes could be transformative.