Modular body urges early use of factory-built methods for UK public projects

Jackie Maginnis, chief executive of the Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA), has argued that industrialised construction can help turn UK public sector building budgets into high-quality facilities that meet operational needs and offer long-term value for taxpayers.

In England, almost £20bn is earmarked for the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034-35, with more than 750 schools and sixth-form colleges set to benefit. A further £710m Renewal & Retrofit Programme will improve existing education buildings and address urgent condition needs.

In healthcare, the NHS has secured more than £44bn in capital funding for 2026-27 to 2029-30. It is intended to support hospital infrastructure, estates maintenance, diagnostics and community facilities.

Maginnis points to the Construction Industry Training Board's Construction Workforce Outlook 2026-2030, which forecasts UK construction output growth of 1.8% in 2027, rising to 2.8% in 2028. It also expects continued demand for additional workers, which she says underlines the need to use skills and resources effectively.

Volumetric modular construction moves much of the building work into a controlled factory environment while site preparation proceeds in parallel. According to Maginnis, this shortens the on-site programme, reduces disruption and brings facilities into use sooner. She says this matters in schools, healthcare settings and public buildings, where services must keep running and access must be managed.

Factory production, coordinated design and repeatable processes can improve productivity and quality, she says, while shorter site programmes may cut preliminaries, labour needs and other site costs. Earlier completion can also bring operational benefits where buildings are needed for pupils, clinical services or business activity.

Maginnis acknowledges that the benefits vary with building type, procurement route, specification and site conditions. She calls for comparisons based on total project cost, programme, quality requirements and intended use rather than headline prices. Maintenance, energy performance, adaptability and the potential for future expansion or reuse should also be considered.

The MPBA wants modular specialists involved during feasibility, design and procurement so the construction method informs decisions from the start. Maginnis says this requires collaboration between clients, designers, contractors, manufacturers and procurement teams, and urges organisations planning schools, healthcare, public sector or commercial projects to contact the association and its members early.