25% of the UK’s GVA

1 in 8 jobs

£168bn in exports

One Built Environment

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Why now? 

 

In July 2026, Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, placing the built environment at the centre of his agenda. In his first speech as leader, he set out a premiership built around utilities reform, reindustrialisation and regeneration — including ambitions for hundreds of thousands of new council homes and a series of major rail projects.

A government that depends on the built environment to deliver its priorities is actively redrawing its industrial strategy right now. That is a narrow window in which to make the case for formal recognition — before the new framework is settled.
 
NLA is launching the new iteration of the One Built Environment campaign to bring together everyone who plans, funds, designs, builds and operates the places that shape our lives - and to call on government to formally recognise the built environment within the 10-year plan for Britain.
 

We are asking organisations across the sector to support the campaign and help make the case to government for change.

The numbers are kind of a big deal 

 

In 2025, NLA partnered with Greater London Authority Economics and the London School of Economics to examine the breadth and impact of the built environment sector as a whole. Looking at the core professions and services that make up the industry, the built environment collectively:

contributes 25% of the UK's GVA (£568bn)

employs 1 in 8 people across the country

produces £16bn in exports

with a job market set to grow by 150k jobs per annum

London is home to a thriving ecosystem of built environment professionals, with an unrivalled concentration of major businesses spanning architecture, engineering, construction, planning, real estate, and technology. Yet the industry's reach extends well beyond the capital, with dispersed strength across the country and significant potential for growth. 

👉 Read our full research report here 

Show your support 

 
 

✍️ Sign the One Built Environment Declaration

This is the single most important thing you can do. Every signature strengthens the case we're putting to government for formal recognition of the built environment within the Industrial Strategy — aligning policy across housing, infrastructure, planning, skills, transport, energy and investment.

Takes less than two minutes. Individuals, companies and organisations across the sector are welcome to sign.

📣 Share the Campaign

Help the message travel. Post about the campaign on your channels using #1BuiltEnvironment, and tag us so we can amplify it further.

🏷️ Add the Logo

Show your support visibly. Add the One Built Environment logo to your website, email signature or marketing materials, so clients, partners and colleagues know where you stand.

Download the Asset Pack →

The pack also includes briefing notes to share with your senior leadership team.

🤝 Bring Your Network

Recognition for the sector only happens if the whole sector speaks with one voice. Encourage your colleagues, partners, clients and suppliers to sign the Declaration and share the campaign too.

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