All articles by Simon Rawlinson
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CommentConstruction needs a mission control
More joined-up thinking is required if the industry is to play its role in supporting mission-led government, says Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentRayner’s ‘new homes accelerator’ is the right kind of big thinking to speed up housing delivery
The government’s new homes accelerator highlights how pragmatic action is needed to kickstart housing delivery. It looks like an excellent initiative that should tackle an intractable problem, says Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentFirst impressions of the new regime – and I‘m cautiously optimistic
One week in, what pointers do the government’s first steps provide for construction’s future prospects? Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis picks out some highlights.
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CommentIt’s time to prepare for change – although we don’t have much to go on
The local election results confirmed what we already suspected about the likely outcome of the forthcoming general election. Anticipating where opportunities might be found under a new government is another matter, but Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis stirs the tea leaves
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CommentM&S High Court decision won’t tip the scales away from a retrofit-first future
The low-carbon case for retrofit has become so strong that economic arguments for new-build may no longer secure support, suggests Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis.
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CommentIs the housing crisis just too big a problem for politics to crack?
The recently published National Planning Policy Framework highlights how difficult housing reform can be. Can we expect better from the outcome of a general election, asks Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentWe are boxed in by bonds and the chancellor’s promises
Jeremy Hunt’s success in calming financial markets with the autumn statement leaves a lot of unanswered questions observes Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentWe must be nimble and flexible if we are to keep up with accelerating AI
The pace of change in AI is breathtaking. Non-specialists like you and me need to take note says Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentWhy counting the cost of carbon is anything but straightforward
Is the price of carbon emissions going up or down? It might depend on who you are and where your project is located, writes Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis. That is not a good thing
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CommentWe’ve lost our lead in the fight against climate change. Now it’s crunch time
The muted response to the UK’s latest climate change progress report highlights that the current approach isn’t working, observes Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentL&G Modular’s closure shows there’s a limit to the patience of slow capital
Legal & General’s recent withdrawal from the offsite housing market is a wake-up call for policy makers relying on institutions to fund ambitious infrastructure plans, says Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentHunt’s Budget shifted emphasis from recovery to re-set
Many of the chancellor’s announcements will only bear fruit in the longer term. Whether that is in time to save the Tories at the next general election remains to be seen, writes Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentStarmer must make sure he is not embarking on a mission impossible
Labour has set off on its pre-election marathon, but what should we make of Keir Starmer’s plans and how is policy likely to evolve?
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CommentSunak and Starmer should both be happy to embrace the squeezed middle
Now that the fiasco of the mini-Budget has cancelled out the reputational damage of the last Labour Party manifesto, a new focus on sober managerialism is taking hold
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CommentChancellor’s statement leaves me with a shrinking feeling
Jeremy Hunt’s better than expected investment proposals are already being undermined by inflation. We need to act fast
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CommentHave we put too many eggs in one basket with our net-zero goal?
There is no plan B for net zero but, with the clock ticking on the 1.5C target, we need to start a parallel conversation on resilience
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CommentGamble on growth won’t work unless supply-side reforms are a success
Truss and Kwarteng’s plan is radical but the focus on fixing the supply side has been overshadowed. The details should not be ignored
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CommentConstruction must seize this moment of opportunity
A change in national leadership can mean a new direction and fresh ideas. The industry should help Liz Truss rise to the challenges ahead
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CommentCurrent political chaos could cast long shadow over our industry
With calls growing for tax cuts and short-term fixes, a longer-term growth strategy underpinned by investment looks to be at risk
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CommentA five-point plan for coping with volatility in a positive way
While no one can predict the outcome of the Ukraine crisis, we do know what tools are needed to make projects and teams more resilient