BUILD UK Updates

Build UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. By bringing together Clients, Main Contractors, Trade Associations representing over 11,500 Specialist Contractors and other organisations committed to industry collaboration, Build UK represents in excess of 40% of UK construction.  

Their regular updates contain important information for our industry.

Last Updated: 30/04/2026

Navigating the Building Safety Regime

Thanks to all those members who joined our Building Safety call earlier this week where we discussed the ongoing challenges with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), including communication, the consistent application of standards, particularly where there are transition periods, and quality assurance requirements at Gateway Three. Members also supported Build UK’s calls for the BSR to publish consistent data on Gateway Two applications to enable the industry to track performance and progress.

We also heard from members on the Construction Products Reform White Paper, which aims to strengthen the regulatory framework for construction products. Whilst members are fully supportive of a more robust system that ensures manufacturers have clear duties for which they are held accountable and that users of products are provided with accurate and reliable information, there is a concern that the current proposals only address parts of the system and will not provide assurance that products are ‘safe’. In addition, members highlighted that the requirements of manufacturers will differ depending on whether the product carries a CE or UKCA mark or is unmarked and subject to the proposed General Safety Requirement for Construction Products. The draft Build UK response will be circulated for comment shortly, and the deadline to submit a response is 20 May.

Our next Building Safety call will be held on Tuesday 16 June and your nominated Building Safety representative will receive the details directly.

The Future of CITB

In line with the recommendation in the Industry Training Board (ITB) Review undertaken by Mark Farmer, the Government is currently consulting on a proposal to merge CITB and ECITB to create a single, unified ITB to support the skills needs of employers in the construction and engineering sectors across England, Scotland and Wales.

The ITB Review concluded that there is still a need for intervention in the skills systems of the construction and engineering sectors but that the current ITB model is not having the required impact or delivering the desired outcomes. Build UK members have consistently supported the continuation of the CITB Levy, and our ‘Levy In – Skills Out’ response to the last Consensus process set out what employers expect from CITB in return for paying the Levy. The ITB consultation offers the opportunity to reset the services provided by CITB and ECITB to support employers of all sizes in recruiting, training and retaining the skills needed now and in the future.

We have provided a summary paper of the consultation, which is also seeking views on expanding the activities in scope of CITB and ECITB and extending the maximum Levy period beyond three years. The nominated skills representatives of Build UK members affected by the proposals have been invited to join one of our roundtables and please do make sure your organisation is represented to contribute your views. The draft Build UK response will be circulated for comment prior to submission by the deadline of 14 June.

Immigration Update

As part of its plan to reduce net migration, the Government is implementing a raft of changes to the Points‐Based Immigration System and recently updated the statutory guidance for employers holding a sponsor licence, increasing their responsibilities when sponsoring workers from outside the UK, including those on a Skilled Worker Visa.

  • The updated guidance includes a new requirement for employers to carry out right to work checks on any worker they wish to sponsor who is not their direct employee, as well as any worker they are looking to ‘directly engage’.
  • There is a new pay period framework requiring sponsored workers to be paid the required salary in pay periods of at least monthly frequency, and the salary paid in each pay period to equal or exceed the going rate for every hour worked in that pay period.
  • Sponsored workers must now be actively informed about their UK employment and welfare rights, and the employer must keep records of how they have informed them.

Employers found not to be complying with the guidance may have their sponsor licence downgraded, suspended or withdrawn. Build UK’s flowchart providing an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK is being regularly updated, along with our detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.

CLC Industry Sponsors

The CLC is currently recruiting for two new Industry Sponsors to lead its workstreams on Digitalising Planning and Building Control and Business Model Reform, as well as a new Deputy Co‐Chair. Applications, including a CV, covering letter and employer letter of support, should be submitted to Stuart Young by 18 May.

Waste Crime

With 20% of waste estimated to be illegally managed, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has launched a Waste Crime Action Plan, which includes a new environmental permitting regime to ensure that waste is handled by authorised persons only, as well as the introduction of digital waste tracking.

JCT Contracts

The JCT 2016 Edition of contracts has been superseded by JCT 2024, which members should be using to ensure their contracts are up to date. JCT 2016 is now only available in hardcopy while stocks last and online until 31 December 2026. All JCT 2024 forms can be purchased via the JCT online store.

NDA Consultation

The Government is consulting on new regulations that will void any clauses in a non‐disclosure agreement (NDA) between a worker and their employer which seek to prevent a worker from speaking out about workplace harassment or discrimination. The deadline to submit a response to the consultation is 8 July.

Benchmarking Accident Rates

Build UK has published its annual accident survey report, summarising the accidents reported by our tier one Contractor members under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) in 2024/25. It shows that Build UK Contractor members have lower injury incidence rates than the wider industry for fatal, specified and over‐7‐day accidents. Build UK is the only organisation that collates this data for tier one contractors in construction, which can be used as a benchmark to support health and safety improvements across the supply chain.

The HSE is currently consulting on proposed changes to RIDDOR, including expanding the lists of Dangerous Occurrences and occupational diseases that must be reported, and the deadline to submit a response is 30 June. There is also a consultation underway on updating the Control of Lead at Work Regulations, which would include lowering blood lead exposure limits and updating the Approved Code of Practice, and the deadline to submit a response is 24 May.

Last Updated: 23/04/2026

A National Construction Apprenticeship Network

Thanks to all those members who attended our Forum meeting earlier this week where Paul Ruddick, Chair and Founder of Reds10 and Flexi‐Job Apprenticeship Agency K10, presented the K10 apprenticeship model, which was launched in 2009 to maximise apprentice numbers on large construction projects in London and the South East.

With employers across the industry struggling to identify suitable apprentices and young people often lacking the guidance and support to thrive in construction roles, Paul outlined how the K10 model filters potential candidates, ensures they start on the appropriate apprenticeship standard for the sub‐contractor’s requirements, and provides ongoing pastoral support through to full‐time employment. K10’s ‘Conditions of Success’ are focused on careful selection of the candidate and holding all parties to account to fulfil their role and provide the required support to the apprentice. To reduce the financial burden on the supply chain, the project client funds the wages of the apprentices, who are directly employed by K10.

Based on K10’s success, Build UK is looking at how this model could be scaled up across the country as part of an integrated Construction Apprenticeship Network, which would match young people with suitable employers, support them throughout the apprenticeship journey, and track progress via CSCS and its digital skills passport. With apprenticeships in construction averaging a 58% achievement rate, compared to 90% for the K10 model, a national Construction Apprenticeship Network has the potential to improve opportunities for young people entering the industry and strengthen the construction workforce.

Cost of Doing Business

A combination of new legislation, increases in taxes and levies, and war in the Middle East is leading to significant increases in the cost of delivering construction and infrastructure projects, and Build UK is working with the CBI to demonstrate to Government the impact of the increased cost of doing business across all sectors of the economy.

To support this work, we are asking members across the supply chain to take five minutes to complete this short survey by Friday 8 May. The data will be used ahead of the Autumn Budget to highlight the effects of rising costs on employment opportunities, investment and growth across construction, as well as the impact on the wider economy including the potential to reduce the funding available to deliver the public sector pipeline.

The CLC has also written to the Minister for Industry, Chris McDonald MP, calling for a delay in the introduction of new limits on tariff‐free steel imports. Although the new policy is designed to encourage the use of UK steel, it will result in price inflation – in some cases up to 40% – due to many steel products not being manufactured, or only available in limited quantities, in the UK.

With inflation impacting projects of all sizes, Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, sets out practical ways to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project. Most forms of contract have standard provisions for sharing the risks associated with price volatility, which should be used appropriately and fairly and in a spirit of collaboration.

Changes Proposed to RIDDOR

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a consultation on amending the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), which will increase the amount of information that must be reported to the HSE. The proposed changes are designed to help tackle work‐related ill health and include:

  • Expanding the list of Dangerous Occurrences to include those related to the excavation, boring or maintenance of any tunnel over 1.2 metres in diameter; the unintentional fall or dropping of any object from a building or structure under demolition or construction; and the overturning of construction plant.
  • Increasing the number of occupational diseases from six to 19, including noise‐induced hearing loss, asbestosis, and pneumoconiosis (including silicosis), and permitting their diagnosis by other types of registered health practitioners, not just doctors.
  • Clarifying definitions, such as ‘work‐related’, ‘injury’ and ‘routine work’, which have previously been identified as unclear or ambiguous.

The consultation also covers improvements to the online reporting system to tackle both under and over reporting, and the deadline to submit a response is Tuesday 30 June.

Business Energy Support

The Government has confirmed the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will be available from April 2027, exempting eligible manufacturers, including cement and steel producers, from three electricity schemes in order to reduce their bills. A one‐off additional payment will also cover the support firms would have received if BICS had been in place from April 2026.

Skills Passport Response

Build UK has submitted a response to the Skills England consultation on skills passports, outlining how a national framework must work for individuals by providing them with a portable competence record, as well as employers by giving them a tool to instantly validate an individual’s credentials. We also recommended that CSCS is the model that should be adopted for construction.

CLC Deputy Co‐Chair

The CLC is recruiting for a Deputy Co‐Chair to work alongside Co‐Chairs Mark Reynolds CBE and Chris McDonald MP. The role will lead engagement with Government and oversee the delivery of strategic priorities on Net Zero, digitisation of planning and building control, and business model reform. Applications should be submitted to Stuart Young by Monday 18 May.

ISO 14001 Updated

A revised version of ISO 14001, the recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems, has been published to reflect new global priorities, including climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable resource use, whilst strengthening existing requirements such as change management procedures and evaluating environmental management system effectiveness.

Building Safety Update

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on the introduction of more stringent building control requirements for new homes and work to existing dwellings below 18 metres where the Fire Safety Order applies, in order to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations. The changes, which would align plan approval requirements for local authorities and Registered Building Control Approvers, include requiring applications to be submitted with full plans and introducing a new ground for the rejection of a final certificate if a plans certificate has not been given. The deadline to submit a response is Thursday 11 June.

The High Court has issued the second Building Liability Order (BLO) as part of its ruling in Crest Nicholson v Ardmore. A BLO, which was introduced under the Building Safety Act, allows the court to extend legal responsibility for building safety defects beyond the original developer to associated companies, where the original developer has dissolved or possesses insufficient assets. As part of the verdict, the High Court confirmed the key principles for determining when it is ‘just and equitable’ to issue a BLO and that adjudicators can issue BLOs as part of their decisions.

The Scottish Government has passed legislation introducing a Building Safety Levy in Scotland from 1 April 2028 to fund its remediation programme. The new Levy will apply to newly built properties, including build to rent homes and student accommodation, with exemptions for social and affordable housing and homes built on islands. To support SME developers, the first 29 new builds a year will also be exempted, and the Levy rates will be confirmed in June.

Last Updated: 16/04/2026

Build UK Continues to Grow

We are delighted to kickstart this quarter by welcoming another two new members to #TeamBuildUK, strengthening our collective voice even further at a critical time for the industry.

  • Bovis Construction (Europe) Limited, a privately‐owned main contractor and consultancy business founded in 1885, is our latest Contractor member, delivering complex, high‐quality projects across the UK for both public and private sector clients.
  • Clarion Housing Group, which joins as a Client member, comprises the UK’s largest housing association managing over 125,000 homes, a development arm and a charitable foundation, providing social and affordable housing at subsidised rents to those in need.

We demonstrated again in the first quarter of 2026 what Build UK can achieve with the whole supply chain around the table, including further reforms to payment legislation, changes at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and improvements to the Infrastructure Pipeline. With our work gathering pace, if you know of any other organisations that would benefit from Build UK membership, please do encourage them to join us.

Building Safety Update

The latest data on Gateway Two applications issued by the BSR for the period 5 January to 29 March 2026 shows that 284 decisions were made across all application types – new build, refurbishment and remediation – with an approval rate of 67%. This compared to 326 applications that were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period.

However, the BSR has changed the way it presents the data again, making it difficult to track progress. ‘Complex cases’ are now being recorded separately to other applications, invalid and withdrawn applications have been grouped together, and applications are no longer classified as with an account manager. The Innovation Unit, which processes new build applications, recorded 14 invalid and withdrawn applications, 31 decisions with an approval rate of 61%, and 18 ‘complex cases’ in this period.

The median approval time for remediation applications has increased from 31 to 36 weeks, and the BSR has now published its external remediation improvement plan to speed up these applications. Measures include establishing a new external remediation multi‐disciplinary team (MDT) and using ‘Approval with Requirements’ so that projects can start while technical issues are resolved. The plan also identifies common gaps in remediation applications, including insufficient evidence of fire‐resistance properties in replacement cladding and a lack of structural loading calculations.

The BSR has published a one‐year strategic plan, setting out five priorities that will guide its work over the next 12 months, together with an updated charging scheme for 2026/27. Each application for Building Control Approval submitted at Gateway Two will now cost £195, up from £189, with the hourly charge to review it increasing from £151 to £156 per person.

The Building (Higher‐Risk Building Procedures) (Wales) Regulations will come into force on 1 July 2026, and the Welsh Government is hosting webinars on Tuesday 21 April and Tuesday 28 April to outline the changes. Members who wish to attend should email the Welsh Government and confirm their language preference (English or Welsh).

New Employment Rights

The latest measures under the Employment Rights Act came into force on 6 April 2026, introducing new ‘day one’ rights for employees and placing greater obligations on employers regarding fairness, equality and wellbeing. Described by the Government as the ‘biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’, the recent changes include:

  • Employees are now entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from the first day of illness, instead of the fourth day, and the lower earnings limit has been removed.
  • Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave has also become a ‘day one’ right, and the restriction on taking paternity leave after shared parental leave has been removed. There is also a new statutory right to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave.
  • Sexual harassment is now a protected disclosure under whistleblowing law, meaning that employees making a sexual harassment disclosure are protected from unfair dismissal.
  • The maximum ‘protective award’ for failure to meet collective redundancy consultation obligations has doubled from 90 days’ pay to 180 days’ pay.
  • Large employers are being encouraged to publish Equality Action Plans to address their Gender Pay Gap and support employees affected by the menopause. These will become mandatory from spring 2027.

To assist employers to comply with the changes, the Government has created a dedicated webpage with guidance and practical tools, which will be updated as more measures are introduced under the Act throughout 2026 and 2027. The Government has also launched the Fair Work Agency, combining the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage enforcement team, to enforce workers’ rights, with penalties for businesses that don’t comply.

CIS Changes

Amendments to the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) from 6 April 2026 have strengthened HMRC’s powers where businesses ‘knew or should have known’ that fraud was taking place in their supply chain, and HMRC can now remove Gross Payment Status with immediate effect, levy a penalty of up to 30% of the lost tax, and pursue directors personally.

Planning Appeals

As of 1 April 2026, most planning applications to local planning authorities will follow a new process if they are appealed and decided via written representations. The majority of written representation appeals will now accept only the evidence put before the local planning authority during the application to help speed up decision making.

Major Projects Reform

NISTA has reformed the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) to focus support on around 80 of the most nationally significant projects and programmes. The aim is to improve delivery and value for money by enabling NISTA to target advice and assurance where it is most needed, with departments and delivery bodies continuing to lead projects.

Build UK at UKREiiF

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE will be actively involved in UKREiiF this year, including chairing a panel for CSCS on Tuesday 19 May focussed on ensuring a competent and skilled workforce and joining a Skanska roundtable on Wednesday 20 May to look at how circularity can be embedded into all construction projects to make them truly sustainable.

Building Safety Consultations

Ahead of the pre‐election period of sensitivity, a raft of consultation documents on the building safety regime were published with deadlines for responses over the coming weeks and months.

The Industry Competence Committee has set out a draft framework for clients to support and drive competence across the sector.

MHCLG has outlined system‐wide reforms to the regulatory framework for construction products to enhance safety and ensure accountability across the supply chain.

For construction products not covered by designated standards, MHCLG is looking to place specific obligations on businesses to ensure that these products are safe.

MHCLG has proposed amendments to the building control process for work on existing Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) to ensure the process is proportionate.

The BSR is consulting on the criteria that underpin Government‐authorised self‐certification scheme operators, such as Competent Person Schemes, to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

MHCLG aims to introduce more stringent building control requirements for new homes and work to existing dwellings below 18 metres where the Fire Safety Order applies.

MHCLG is seeking views on regulating the fire risk assessor profession, including defining the role and establishing mandatory competence requirements.

The BSR has proposed a number of changes to the guidance, including for external walls systems and balconies, and the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres.  

Build UK will be preparing responses to the consultations relevant to the majority of our members, and if you would like to contribute or provide feedback, please email us.

Last Updated: 02/04/2026

Improving Payment Performance

The Government has published its response to the Late Payments Consultation, setting out the measures that will be taken forward to tackle late payment and ensure small businesses are paid on time. Described as the ‘largest set of reforms in over a generation’, the changes include a proposal to prohibit the deduction and withholding of retention payments under construction contracts.

This is another significant step forward and the result of years of hard work by Build UK members across the whole supply chain. Back in 2018 when we began benchmarking members on their payment performance, the average time taken by our tier one Contractor members to pay invoices was 45 days and not one of them paid within 30 days, leading Construction News to state that “ensuring payment practices actually improve should be the benchmark by which Build UK is now judged”. Fast forward to today and the average is 30 days, with two thirds paying in 30 days or less.

Build UK is still the only trade organisation benchmarking payment performance, and we have proved the value of measurement and transparency in changing behaviours across a sector with significant results. The latest reforms build on all the progress that has been made to date and will enable us to move forward, particularly on the issue of retentions. It is a huge opportunity and Build UK will be working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to demonstrate that our members and the wider industry have both the appetite and the ability to continuously improve the way we operate.

The changes will require both primary and secondary legislation, which we understand will be introduced in the next Parliamentary session starting in May. There will also be further engagement with industry on how the measures will interact with the Construction Act which we called for in our response. Based on concerns raised during the consultation, including by Build UK, there will be no change to the frequency of reporting for large companies, and they will continue to be required to report twice a year.

New Reforms to Payment Legislation  

Board‐level scrutiny – The board or audit committee of large companies who have made a ‘significant proportion’ of payments late will be required to publish commentary on GOV.UK explaining how they intend to improve payment performance.

Maximum payment terms – From ‘no earlier than 2027’, payment terms will be capped at a maximum of 60 days, with the following exemptions: where both parties are large companies, the purchaser is the smaller party, or the goods or services are either being imported or exported. The Government has confirmed that this measure will be aligned with the Construction Act.

Deadline for disputing invoices – There will be a statutory time limit for disputing an invoice, with businesses required to pay compensation to their supplier if they do not raise a dispute within the time limit.

Mandatory statutory interest – Compulsory interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate will apply to all late payments under commercial contracts.

Additional Reporting on Statutory Interest – Large companies will be required to report on interest payments, including the value they are liable to pay and the value that has actually been paid.

Financial Penalties for Persistent Late Payers – The Small Business Commissioner will have the power to fine businesses based on their payment reports, with the level of fine based on their unpaid statutory interest liability.

Expanded powers for the Small Business Commissioner – The Small Business Commissioner will also be given new powers to investigate businesses suspected of poor payment practices, which will include compelling them to disclose information and undertaking compliance checks on payment reports. The new power for the Small Business Commissioner to adjudicate payment disputes will not apply to construction disputes.

Retention payments under construction contracts – The Government proposes to take forward a legislative measure to prohibit the deduction and withholding of retention payments under construction contracts and will consult further with interested parties on its implementation.

Building Safety Update

A combination of the Government’s ambition to implement the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) responding to industry’s feedback on the building safety regime has led to a raft of consultation documents and other information being published ahead of the pre‐election period of sensitivity.

In its response to the Inquiry, the Government confirmed that the BSR would keep Approved Document B (Fire Safety) under continuous review, and a consultation has now been published on proposed changes to Volume 1: Dwellings and Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings. The proposals include introducing a threshold whereby the guidance within Approved Document B should not be applied when combustible elements of structure are used; revising guidance on external wall systems and balconies and reviewing the scope of the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls; and recommending the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres. The deadline to submit a response is Wednesday 17 June.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has also published two more consultations. The first sets out proposals to change the legal definitions of ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ building work so that documentation requirements better reflect the scale and complexity of the work, with a deadline for responses of Thursday 28 May. Following agreement by Government that fire risk assessors will become a formally regulated profession, MHCLG is also seeking views on how competence and standards of professional behaviour would be demonstrated and enforced, and the deadline to submit a response is Thursday 18 June.

More building safety news can be found in our latest Building Safety update.

Delivering New Homes

The Government has now passed legislation to implement the new Future Homes and Buildings Standards, which are designed to ensure that new homes and non‐domestic buildings are built with high levels of energy efficiency. This should mean they will not require retrofitting to become zero carbon in use, as the electricity grid is decarbonised.

Under the new standards, new homes and buildings will be required to have low‐carbon heating systems, improved airtightness and higher standards of insulation, as well as solar panels equivalent to 40% of the ground‐floor area of each dwelling with exemptions for buildings over 18 metres in height. The standards will come into force from 24 March 2027 for most dwellings, and from 24 September 2027 for Higher‐Risk Buildings, with a 12‐month transitional period from these dates to allow the industry to comply with the new standards. To assist the industry, the Government has published revised versions of Approved Document L (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) and Approved Document F (Ventilation).

The Government has launched the National Housing Bank with £16 billion of financial capacity to support the delivery of over 500,000 new homes. The Bank will offer a range of products, including direct lending to SMEs and guarantees to leverage over £53 billion of private investment into complex development projects over the next 10 years. It will also work closely with mayors and local authorities to issue loans and investments at lower interest rates.

MHCLG is consulting on the New Towns Programme, including the seven proposed locations for the new towns, which are each capable of delivering at least 10,000 homes. The consultation seeks views on how the new towns could be delivered and planned, and the proposed approach to design and planning policy. The deadline to submit a response is Tuesday 19 May.

There is also a consultation on changes to planning application fees designed to ensure that local planning authorities have the resources to deliver planning decisions. The proposals include a new national default fee schedule based on 90% of estimated costs, restructuring fee categories to reduce complexity for users, and local fee setting including the potential to introduce a cap. The deadline to submit a response is Monday 18 May.  

Open Doors Success

A huge thank you to everyone who hosted events as part of #OpenDoors26 last week. Highlights included the Minister for Employment joining local jobseekers at Derby Flood Relief Project, BBC Look North going behind the scenes at Durham Academy, and Buckingham Palace opening its doors to local students. Please follow up with everyone that attended your events with information on getting into construction.

Streamlining NSIPs

The Government has published its implementation plan for the Planning and Infrastructure Act, which is designed to speed up the construction of homes and infrastructure with the focus on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Secondary legislation introducing changes to the NSIP regime, including the Development Consent Order planning process, will be laid between spring and summer 2026.

CLC Biennial Report

The CLC has published a biennial report, setting out its achievements in key areas in 2025 and a refreshed set of priorities for 2026. These include building safety; net zero, resilience and circular economy; people and skills; digitalising planning and building control; business model reform; and health, safety and wellbeing.  

Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month and the theme this year is #BeTheChange. The HSE is calling on employers to help prevent work‐related stress through its Working Minds campaign. It has also published a range of guidance to support good mental health, including a construction talking toolkit and stress risk assessment template.

In Case You Missed It in March…

  • Open Doors 2026 was a huge success welcoming over 6,000 visitors to sites and workplaces across the UK as the industry came together to showcase careers in construction.
  • Build UK responded to the consultation on the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, whilst the Building Professions Team from MHCLG joined our latest Building Safety call to present its strategy for the regulation of built environment professions.
  • We hosted a series of meetings with CITB Chief Executive Tim Balcon to understand the future for CITB in light of ongoing funding changes and the proposal for a merger with ECITB.
  • Build UK was delighted to welcome another new Contractor member to #TeamBuildUK, CLM Fireproofing.
  • In response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we updated our guidance on Managing Price Inflation, setting out ways to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project.

The Build UK update will be taking a break for Easter next week returning on Thursday 16 April with all the latest industry news. A very happy Easter from #TeamBuildUK and we hope you all enjoy a well‐earned break!

Last Updated: 01/04/2026

Improving the Building Safety Regime

A combination of the Government’s ambition to implement the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) responding to industry’s feedback on the building safety regime has led to a raft of consultation documents being published ahead of the pre‐election period of sensitivity.

In its response to the Inquiry, the Government confirmed that the BSR would keep Approved Document B (Fire Safety) under continuous review, and a consultation has now been published on proposed changes to Volume 1: Dwellings and Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings. The proposals include introducing a threshold whereby the guidance within Approved Document B should not be applied when combustible elements of structure are used; revising guidance on external wall systems and balconies and reviewing the scope of the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls; and recommending the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres. The deadline to submit a response is Wednesday 17 June.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has also published the following two consultations:

Fire risk assessors – Following agreement by Government that fire risk assessors will become a formally regulated profession, MHCLG is seeking views on how competence and standards of professional behaviour would be demonstrated and enforced, as well as the arrangements for professional registration. The deadline for responses is Thursday 18 June.

  • Category A and Category B work – Proposals include changing the legal definitions of ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ building work, so that documentation requirements better reflect the scale of the work, in order to reduce the administrative burden for applicants whilst helping the BSR to focus on more complex cases. The deadline for responses is Thursday 28 May.
  • Fire risk assessors – Following agreement by Government that fire risk assessors will become a formally regulated profession, MHCLG is seeking views on how competence and standards of professional behaviour would be demonstrated and enforced, as well as the arrangements for professional registration. The deadline for responses is Thursday 18 June.

Build UK recently submitted a high‐level response to the consultation on the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, highlighting that lessons must be learnt from the introduction of the BSR when transitioning to a single regulator for the construction industry. We also responded to the consultation on streamlining the building control requirements for fibre optic cabling and mobile communications mast work on Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), confirming that we would not support the removal of any requirements that could reduce the oversight of work undertaken or weaken the safety assurance of a building.

Construction Products Reform

The Construction Products Reform White Paper sets out system‐wide reforms to strengthen the regulatory framework for construction products. These include a new licensing regime for testing and certification bodies, new requirements for product information, and greater enforcement powers for the national construction products regulator.

For construction products not covered by designated standards, there is also a consultation on the introduction of a General Safety Requirement for Construction Products that will place specific obligations on businesses to ensure that these products are safe. We will be discussing our response to the White Paper at our next Building Safety call on Tuesday 28 April, and your nominated Building Safety representative should have received the details directly. MHCLG is also hosting two webinars to outline the reforms in the White Paper on Tuesday 14 April and Tuesday 5 May. The deadline for responding to the White Paper is Wednesday 20 May.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has published details of the enforcement actions it has taken under the Construction Product Regulations 2013 in the last six months. The OPSS releases a summary of enforcement actions twice a year, along with product safety alerts, reports and recalls as required, and members are advised to check the information on a regular basis to ensure that the products they are using or specifying have not been subject to any enforcement action.

Building Safety Regulator Update

The BSR has published its strategic plan setting out the five priorities that will guide its work over the next 12 months, including improving operations, supporting remediation of unsafe cladding, ensuring safe construction and smooth Gateway Three approvals, keeping building standards under review, and improving professional standards.

The guidance published by the BSR on Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) has been revised to use the term ‘safety occurrence’, rather than ‘mandatory occurrence’, and Build UK has updated its MOR guidance accordingly. The MOR system that will be implemented during the construction phase must be included in the application for Building Control Approval submitted at Gateway Two, and the template MOR system contained within the Build UK guide has not changed.

The BSR has confirmed to Build UK that it is currently reviewing how HRBs are selected to apply for a Building Assessment Certificate after a number of concerns were raised about the process. We are awaiting an update and will provide further information as soon as we have it.

A ‘Culture Change Framework’ has been published by the BSR to support individuals and organisations across the sector to drive positive and lasting culture change. It contains practical guidance on improving culture, based around five ‘drivers’ of good culture, and members will need to register on the Built Environment Competence Hub to access it.

Finally, Dr Barbara Lane has been appointed as Chair of the Building Advisory Committee, which advises the BSR on all matters other than competence. She will be supported by Dr Hywel Davies OBE who has taken on the role of Vice Chair.

Professional Shortages

The Government has announced £70 million of funding to address shortages in the building control and fire engineering workforces. It will cover recruiting up to 700 new Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), upskilling existing RBIs to Class 3H so that they can inspect HRBs, and developing higher education provision for fire engineers.

BS 8214 Updated

The BSI has published a revised version of BS 8214, which provides recommendations for fire‐resisting and smoke control doors. The changes include expanding coverage to fire door assemblies of all materials, clarifying installation requirements, and updating smoke control recommendations to align with the most recent version of BS 9991.

CPS Criteria Review

The BSR is consulting on the Conditions of Authorisation, which are the criteria that underpin the operation of Government‐authorised self‐certification scheme operators such as Competent Person Schemes (CPS), to ensure they remain fit for purpose and schemes continue to support safe, compliant building practices. The deadline to submit a response is Friday 5 June.

Construction Adviser

The Government’s annual report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry confirmed that a new Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser would be appointed to provide a single source of independent advice and challenge to Ministers on construction, science and engineering issues. MHCLG is now recruiting for the role, and the deadline for applications is Monday 13 April.

Competence Update

At our last Building Safety call, the Building Professions Team from MHCLG presented its overarching strategy for the regulation of built environment professions. It was recognised that the current regulatory framework is complex and fragmented, and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry made detailed recommendations for reforming a number of professions, including architects, building control, fire engineers, principal contractors, and principal designers.

MHCLG is committed to working with industry to improve what is already in place, rather than recreating the system from scratch, and it will be publishing a call for evidence this spring, seeking views on potential reforms, including whether more professions should be subject to mandatory registration and licensing requirements. Build UK is liaising closely with MHCLG on how a licensing scheme for contractors might operate, with the Common Assessment Standard already being used by organisations across the public and private sectors to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their roles under the Building Safety Act.

The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) is consulting on draft Principles for Informed Clients, which set out a framework for how clients can support and drive competence across the built environment. The framework can be applied across different project types, procurement routes and organisational contexts, and the deadline to submit a response is Tuesday 5 May.

Click here to view the PDA’s archive of Build UK information.

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