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: 23/10/2025

Speeding Up Infrastructure Delivery

The Government has announced further amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to ‘get Britain building faster’. The Bill, which is expected to become law by the end of this year, aims to streamline the planning system to support the Government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes and make decisions on 150 major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.

Construction is at the heart of the Government’s plans to kickstart economic growth, and the amendments to the Bill, which are currently being considered by the House of Lords, include:

• Stopping planning permissions from being timed out for approved major housing schemes facing lengthy judicial reviews
• Ministers being able to issue ‘holding directions’ to stop councils refusing planning permission whilst they consider using their ‘call-in’ powers to approve a decision
• Speeding up the approval process for large reservoirs by allowing non-water sector companies to build reservoirs that are automatically considered as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
• Making it easier to gain approval for onshore windfarms.

The Chancellor has also outlined new proposals to reduce the length of time that judicial reviews take for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, which is currently over a year. Only four of the 34 infrastructure projects that have faced judicial reviews since 2008 have been upheld, and the proposed measures should reduce the time taken by around six months.

Building on the discussion with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the Build UK AGM last month, a group of members joined a roundtable at HM Treasury this week to provide feedback directly to NISTA on the new Infrastructure Pipeline. The meeting focused on how the pipeline could be used to support business planning and the data that should be included in the next iteration of the pipeline due to be published in early 2026.

Building Safety Regulator Update

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published new data on Gateway Two applications up to 1 October 2025, reflecting its new model for processing applications. The BSR highlights that an ‘all-time high’ 209 decisions were made during August, with 152 new build applications and 253 remediation applications currently in progress.

The new Innovation Unit, which has been established to speed up the processing of applications, is managing 27 of the 152 live new build applications, with the majority of these meeting the 12-week service level agreement. The BSR has confirmed that its focus for the remainder of this year is resolving the 91 historic new build applications and that all but three of these are expected to reach a decision by 31 December.

With the BSR implementing significant operational changes, we are delighted to confirm that we will be joined by its new Chief Executive, Charlie Pugsley, for our next Building Safety call on Tuesday 11 November at 8:30am. With a 30-year career in the London Fire Brigade, Charlie has played a leading role in investigating many of London’s most significant fires and seen first-hand how buildings are used and perform ‘in real life’. It is a unique opportunity to hear from the man at the forefront of moving the new regime forward, and your nominated Building Safety representative should have received the details directly.

Get Involved with Open Doors

A huge thank you to all those members that have already confirmed their support for #OpenDoors26 by uploading almost 40 events to the website to take place from Monday 23 ‐ Saturday 28 March. Construction needs to recruit around 50,000 extra workers each year, and Open Doors has a proven track record of recruiting people into the industry.

88% of visitors in 2025 stated that they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, and you can help us showcase what the industry has to offer by opening the doors to your sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres across the UK. We know that schools and colleges require advance notice to organise visits, so please don’t delay and make sure your events are registered on the Open Doors website as soon as possible.

Building a Stronger Financial Future

People’s Pension, provided by Build UK Partner People’s Partnership, is strengthening how it manages the pension savings of its more than 7 million members. By almost doubling the size of its internal investment team over the past year, it is now even better placed to respond to market changes and continue to manage members’ money with care.

People’s Pension is enhancing its investment strategy with a plan to invest up to £4 billion in private markets by 2030. This could include investing more in UK-based projects, like infrastructure and real estate, with the aim of enhancing long-term returns for its members whilst contributing to the wider economy through increased private investment in infrastructure, a key objective of the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

The focus will remain on ensuring members’ savings are being looked after with a long-term view, keeping costs low and making thoughtful choices. For employers, it’s reassurance that People’s Pension is investing in the right foundations to better support your business and your people. Further information about setting up a workplace pension or switching pension providers can be found on the People’s Pension website.

Payment Consultation

Build UK has submitted a comprehensive response to the Late Payments Consultation, providing an industry-wide view on the proposed measures designed to ensure small businesses are paid on time. We highlighted the opportunity to build on the progress made in construction to date by prioritising enforcement of existing regulations before strengthening the requirements.

Identity Verification

From Tuesday 18 November, it will be a legal requirement for company directors to verify their identity with Companies House for each company that they are a director of, as part of the company’s next confirmation statement. Individuals can verify their identity by supplying the evidence requested via their GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

CLC Consultation

Members across the supply chain are asked to encourage as many of their workforce as possible to respond to the CLC Mental Health Consultation to help identify how to manage the causes of poor mental health in construction. The deadline is Wednesday 5 November and the CLC has produced a poster about the consultation which can be displayed in the workplace.

Digitising Planning

The CLC is hosting a meeting on the afternoon of Thursday 20 November to explore the current challenges and opportunities for the digitalisation of the planning system in England. The meeting, which will be held in Birmingham, will look at how to improve user experiences and increase efficiency through the use of AI, and members will need to register to attend.

Celebrating 10 Years of Build UK

Throughout this year, we have been celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Build UK, and our celebrations will conclude with a fantastic event on the evening of Wednesday 19 November where we will welcome our new Chair and Board for 2025/26.

Over 200 members and stakeholders are set to join us at The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate in London to celebrate our success in driving change over the last decade and look ahead to the next 10 years as we power up construction to deliver the homes and infrastructure the country needs. There are a few spaces remaining and please email us if you would like to join us.
The Build UK update will be taking a break for half term next week and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 6 November with all the latest industry news!

Last Updated: 16/10/2025

Review of Temporary Shortage List

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has completed the first stage of its review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) and provided recommendations for the future. The stage 1 report includes a list of occupations for potential inclusion on the TSL, which will be considered further after an industry‐wide call for evidence.

Following the recent changes to the Points‐Based Immigration System, which included raising the threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa to RQF Level 6, the TSL is a way for occupations at RQF Levels 3 – 5 to be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa. The MAC has provisionally identified 82 occupations, out of the 151 occupations at RQF Levels 3 – 5 in the UK, as ‘potentially crucial’ to delivering the 10‐Year Infrastructure Strategy, and this initial list will be considered further at the next stage of the review. It includes a range of construction occupations such as bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, construction supervisors, floorers and wall tilers, painters and decorators, plasterers, plumbers, roofers, stone masons, steel erectors, and welders, and Build UK will be working with the CLC to coordinate the industry’s response to the call for evidence.

The MAC has recommended that occupations on the TSL should generally be reviewed every three years and not receive any discount against the standard salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa. MAC’s stage 2 report, including final recommendations for the occupations that should be included, is expected to be published in July 2026, and the Home Secretary will make the final decision on whether to accept the recommendations.

Build UK’s flowchart providing an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK is being regularly updated in line with changes to the immigration system, together with our detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Digital Skills Passport

The My CSCS App provides the foundations of a ‘digital skills passport’ for the industry, as recommended by Mark Farmer in his Industry Training Board (ITB) Review published earlier this year, to enable Clients and other dutyholders under the Building Safety Act to demonstrate and enforce the competence of individuals working on their projects.

The app holds an individual’s digital CSCS card, which is identical to the traditional plastic version and shows their photo, qualifications, training, occupation and the expiry date of the card. To help both cardholders and employers, the My Skills section within the app allows an individual to store in one place their qualifications; successful completion of the Health, Safety and Environment Test; and any additional training and CPD undertaken. Cardholders can then generate a CV‐style summary of the information within the app, which can be shared with employers as part of demonstrating the skills and knowledge elements of competence.

CSCS Smart Check can be used to digitally check all 2.3 million cards carrying the CSCS logo, and Build UK members should be using it across their projects and supply chain.

Cladding Remediation Update

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued its latest data release for remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England. It shows that remediation works have been completed on 35% of the 5,554 buildings identified up to the end of August 2025, with work underway on a further 13%.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan has set a target to remediate all buildings 18 metres and over by 2029, and work has now been completed on 90% of the 511 buildings identified to have unsafe ACM cladding. There are between 3,300 and 3,500 dwellings that have yet to be remediated, and local authority enforcement action is being taken against building owners to ensure remediation is progressed. The next data release will be published on 23 October.

The  MHCLG Buildings, Fire and Resilience Group has launched its annual industry remediation survey to understand capability challenges and supply chain capacity over the next 12 months. The survey which is used to help shape policy and support suppliers will take around 30 minutes to complete and the deadline for responses is Wednesday 12 November

Making Tax Digital

The new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax service will come into force from 6 April 2026, representing a major change to the way that self‐employed individuals manage their tax. It is part of HMRC’s efforts to modernise the tax system and reduce errors and it will be phased in over the next three years, starting with individuals with a turnover over £50,000.

Rather than paying four tax bills a year, individuals will need to pay a single tax bill and use recognised software to keep records of their income and expenses. Using the software, individuals will have to send quarterly updates to HMRC, which will enable HMRC to produce an estimate of an individual’s tax bill. The deadline for payment of the tax bill will be 31 January. Individuals will need to check their eligibility for the new service and sign up in time; they will not automatically be signed up by HMRC. Further information is available in a series of FAQs published by HMRC.

Construction Report

Build UK member CIOB has published a new report exploring the industry’s capacity to meet demand for new homes and infrastructure. It highlights the challenges facing construction, including high volatility and uncertainty, and suggests the industry needs to change the business environment in which it operates by focussing on five areas.

Net Zero Consultation

The CLC is consulting on a review of CO₂nstruct Zero, the industry‐wide programme to reduce carbon emissions, in order to ensure the nine priorities and the metrics used to measure progress are aligned with the Seventh Carbon Budget. Members are invited to provide feedback via the consultation form by the deadline of Monday 17 November.

Menopause Awareness

It’s World Menopause Day this Saturday 18 October which aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the support available for women going through it. Employees of menopausal age are the fastest growing workplace demographic in the UK, and Build UK’s template Menopause Policy, produced by Citation, can be used by members to help provide an inclusive and supportive working environment for employees experiencing menopausal symptoms and their colleagues.
Members can get involved this #WorldMenopauseDay by reviewing their policy and the support they provide, as well as sharing information on social media. The Build UK template policy has been drafted so that it can be adopted in its entirety, or elements can be incorporated into existing policy documents, and members will need to provide basic contact information to download it.

Last Updated: 09/10/2025

Open Doors – Register Now! 

The Countdown to #OpenDoors26 is well and truly underway, and Build UK members across the supply chain can now register the events they are planning to offer from Monday 23 ‐ Saturday 28 March! Everyone can play their part in inspiring careers in construction by opening up their sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres across the UK, and our Open Doors Partners have already listed an exciting range of events, including Canary Wharf Group’s Wood Wharf in London, the Sunbelt Rentals Chadderton Service Centre near Oldham, CITB’s National Construction College Scotland, and Willmott Dixon’s Glyn‐coch Primary School in Wales.

Construction needs to recruit around 50,000 extra workers a year, and Open Doors is a unique opportunity for young people and those looking for a change of career to go behind the scenes and see just what our industry has to offer. We know that schools and colleges require advance notice to organise visits, so please register your events as soon as possible, and further information can be found in our latest Open Doors update.

Building Safety Update

The Government has published its second quarterly progress report on implementing the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It confirms that work has now been completed on two more recommendations related to Phase 1 for the provision and storage of personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for High‐Rise Residential Buildings.

After committing to take action on all 58 recommendations from the Inquiry, the Government has also published an implementation timeline showing when each recommendation is expected to be completed. By the end of this year, consultation should be underway on Approved Document B and a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors working on Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) and further information should be published regarding the design of the single construction regulator and the review of the definition of HRB. It is likely to take at least four years for all the recommendations to be implemented due to the need for primary legislation, which is subject to Parliamentary time.

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE chaired a Building Safety Panel at last week’s Building the Future Conference hosted by Building Magazine, which reinforced the importance of corporate and individual competence. She was joined by Andy Roe (Building Safety Regulator) and Build UK members Paul Brown (John Sisk & Son), Rachel Davidson (BESA) and Brett King (Procore), who highlighted the need for consistent standards to be agreed and implemented across the sector.

Following initial consultation with the industry earlier this year, the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has published draft guidance for organisations on managing the competence of those working for them. The ICC is seeking feedback on the guidance and whether it can be put into practice, and there is an online survey which members can use to share their views by Thursday 6 November.

CITB Goes Digital

CITB has developed a new online portal to make it easier for employers to access the CITB Grants Scheme. CITB Online Services now allows employers to submit and manage applications for Apprenticeship, Qualification and Short Course grants, which could previously only be applied for via email, as well as submit their Levy Return.

The online portal enables employers to save draft grant applications and track when they have been processed, as well as control who within their business has access to the information. Employers who already have a Levy or Grant account with CITB can use their existing details to log in without registering again, although Levy and Grant access are requested separately so employers who only have Levy access will need to ‘request access to your employer’ and select Grant access in order submit grant applications.

CITB has published a range of guidance on signing up to and using the portal, and further support is available from your local CITB adviser. Whilst the existing route of submitting grant applications via email will remain available for the time being, CITB is encouraging all employers to start using CITB Online Services going forwards.

World Mental Health Day

It’s World Mental Health Day tomorrow (Friday 10 October) which is a chance for everyone to focus on the importance of good mental health. Employers have a legal duty to prevent work‐related stress and support mental health, and there are a range of resources available, including the HSE Working Minds and Lighthouse Club Help Inside the Hard Hat campaigns.

Safety Helmets Webinar

Build UK member JSP is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday 19 November from 10:30am to 11:30am on the standard for industrial protective helmets, which has recently been updated. EN 397:2025 introduces two new helmet types plus enhanced compatibility tests to improve how helmets work with other PPE. Members can register for the webinar to find out more.

Water Efficiency Changes

The Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Building Regulations that would require all new homes to include water‐saving features, such as aerated taps and showerheads and dual flush toilets, in order to reduce water consumption by 20 litres per person per day. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 16 December.

Ministerial Support

The new Construction Minister, Chris McDonald, attended his first CLC meeting earlier this week where he confirmed his support for delivering the recently published Infrastructure Pipeline. He is keen to ‘Power Up Construction’ to realise the Government’s mission of economic growth and will be joining the next in person CLC meeting in November.

Cyber Security Awareness Month – Take Action

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and businesses of all sizes are being encouraged to take steps to protect against cyber threats and #SecureOurWorld. With 43% of businesses reporting cyber breaches in the last year, cyber security is more important than ever, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has developed a range of resources tailored to the construction industry, including Cyber Security for Construction Businesses and specific guidance for Joint Ventures in the Construction Sector.

There are also ‘top tips for staff’ to help make cyber security relevant to everyone in an organisation, and members can sign up to the NCSC Early Warning system which provides notifications in the event of malicious activity being detected in information feeds.

Last Updated: 02/10/2025

Build UK Continues to Grow

Build UK is delighted to welcome Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co. as its newest Professional Services member. The social enterprise manufactures site hoardings, permanent and temporary directional signage plus health and safety signage for the construction and transport sectors. With operations in Kent, Surrey and Glasgow, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co. directly employs Armed Forces veterans overcoming life-changing injuries, as well as disabled people from the wider community including those with visual impairments, epilepsy, autism, and learning difficulties.

Since the Procurement Act came into force in February, companies are increasingly looking for ways to incorporate social impact throughout the supply chain, and Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co. is already working with a number of Build UK members, including Reds10, on site hoardings and signage as it looks to raise money for a new £15 million state of the art factory. Any members interested in finding out more or working with Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co. should email Head of Sales, Melanie Lay, via [email protected].

Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co. is our 14^th new member this year, and if you know of any other organisations that would benefit from all the work we are doing by being in membership, then please encourage them to join us. 

Government Payment Requirements

As of 1 October 2025, companies bidding for central Government contracts over £5 million per annum must now demonstrate that they pay invoices within an average of 45 days, down from 55 days. They must also continue to pay at least 95% of invoices within 60 days (90% if an action plan is provided) otherwise they will be excluded from bidding.

The guidance to PPN 018 confirms that companies must meet both of these metrics in at least one of their two previous six-month reporting periods under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, although any companies that have failed to do so may submit data that has not yet been reported for the previous three or more months. Build UK’s payment performance table shows the results for more than 130 of the industry’s largest companies, and all Build UK tier one Contractor members meet the new requirement to pay invoices within an average of 45 days.

The Government is consulting on further measures to tackle late payments, and thanks to all those members who joined our meeting earlier this week to discuss the proposed package of legislative measures. The deadline for responses to the consultation is Thursday 23 October, and the draft Build UK response will be circulated to your nominated contact for comment in due course.

CLC Mental Health Consultation

The CLC has launched a consultation, in partnership with Mates in Mind and the University of Warwick, to understand what can be done to improve mental health in the industry. It builds on research undertaken by the university, presented at our Forum meeting in April, which showed how construction operates has a significant impact on mental health.

The CLC consultation survey is focussed on a number of primary causes of poor mental health and what can be done to reduce or eliminate their impact, including working patterns, operational factors and people management, payment and financial issues, and barriers to support. Members across the supply chain are asked to encourage as many of their workforce as possible to complete the survey in confidence, and the CLC has produced a poster which can be displayed in the workplace. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 5 November, and the findings will be used to develop an action plan which is expected to be published by the CLC next spring.

Construction Adviser

Thouria Istephan has been appointed by Government as interim Chief Construction Adviser for the next 12 months. Thouria is an architect with extensive industry experience, who was part of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry panel, and will provide independent advice on building safety and regulatory reform whilst the Government establishes the role permanently next year.

New Towns

The Government has published its response to the report from the New Homes Taskforce, welcoming all 12 recommended locations for new towns with at least 10,000 homes. It has pledged to begin building at least three new towns during this Parliament, with Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Crews Hill in north London and Leeds South Bank the most promising sites at this stage.

Digital ID Scheme

The Government has announced that it will be introducing a new digital ID scheme, which will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of this Parliament. ‘Digital ID’ will contain an individual’s name, date of birth, information on nationality or residency status, and a photo, and there will be a public consultation later this year on how it will be delivered.

BREEAM Version 7

The BRE has published Version 7 of BREEAM, the recognised industry framework for specifying and measuring the sustainability performance of buildings. The new V7 places greater emphasis on decarbonisation and improving sustainability across all stages of a building’s lifecycle, and full details of the changes between V6 and V7 can be found in a series of FAQs.

Build UK Chief Executive Receives Alumni Award

Congratulations to Suzannah Nichol OBE, Chief Executive of Build UK, who was one of 20 recipients of the 2025 University of Liverpool Alumni Awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of their global university alumni community.

As a graduate in BA (Hons) Building Management and Technology, Suzannah was recognised for her achievements in ’30 years shaping the UK construction landscape’, including establishing Build UK, delivering industry standards, and steering the sector through the pandemic.

Last Updated: 25/09/2025

Build UK Appoints New Chair

Thanks to all those members who attended the Build UK AGM earlier this week where Paul Brown, Chief Executive of John Sisk & Son, was confirmed as the new Chair of Build UK. Previously Vice Chair after joining the Board in 2022, Paul brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the role. He is a civil engineer with a deep commitment to the power of construction to change lives and create a better future, and his election by members reflects Build UK’s central role in driving forward the industry priorities that support all sectors within UK construction. Commenting on his appointment, Paul said:

“Taking on the role of Build UK Chair at such a pivotal time for our industry is a huge privilege. Construction is taking an increasingly integrated approach to infrastructure planning, improving the way we deliver projects, and driving forward the highest standards of building safety. Build UK has a vital role to play in supporting these priorities, and I look forward to working with members across the supply chain.”

Paul succeeds Julie White, who has successfully led Build UK for the past two years and steps down with the thanks of the Board and members for her outstanding contribution since she first joined the Board 10 years ago. Paul will be supported by the Board for 2025/26, and their details can be found below.

Members at the AGM heard directly from the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Right Honourable James Murray MP, who outlined the Government’s ambition and commitment to deliver and maintain £725 billion of economic and social infrastructure over the next decade as set out in its 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

In one of his first engagements with industry the day after the Government announced it has ‘green-lit’ more major infrastructure projects in the first year of Parliament than any previous Government, James highlighted the importance of the partnership between Government and industry to the successful delivery of homes and infrastructure across the UK and strengthening the economy. He also reinforced the Government’s commitment to removing the barriers to delivery and streamlining the planning system to enable the industry to ‘get on and build’.

Common Assessment Standard

Following publication of the latest version of the Common Assessment Standard on 1 July, the Building Safety section is now mandatory for all companies that carry out work under the Building Safety Act. A number of Build UK members have specified that companies in their supply chain must have successfully completed this section by 1 October 2025.

Those members include BAM, Bowmer + Kirkland, Galliford Try, Kier, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Tilbury Douglas, VINCI and Wates, and companies working for any of these organisations should check that they have now completed the Building Safety section. Our guide to the Common Assessment Standard question set includes guidance on answering the questions, including the evidence that can be submitted to support a response and where further information can be found.

Companies that have achieved the Common Assessment Standard from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies do not need to obtain certification again from any others. Instead, they can agree to share their data at no cost with the other Recognised Assessment Bodies so it is visible to more Contractors and Clients. Don’t duplicate: giving permission to share your data is quick and simple and will help businesses across the supply chain to save time, reduce costs and win work. The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry included a recommendation to introduce a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors wishing to work on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). Build UK has met with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to present the Common Assessment Standard, which is already used by over 21,000 suppliers to demonstrate their organisational capability. As a next step, we have been asked by MHCLG to host a joint roundtable with members that undertake the role of Principal Contractor on HRBs to discuss the objectives of a licensing scheme and how existing initiatives such as the Common Assessment Standard might be used effectively.

Join Us at the Building Awards 2025!

Build UK is pleased to support this year’s Building Awards which are taking place on Tuesday 4 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The awards will bring together senior leaders from across the industry to celebrate the achievements of the best companies and individuals in construction for what promises to be a fantastic evening.  

Build UK members are represented throughout the shortlist for the 20 award categories, with Katy Dowding (Skanska UK), Graham Dundas (Willmott Dixon) and Bill Hocking (Galliford Try) all nominated for CEO of the Year. It is a great networking opportunity and we would be delighted to see as many members of #TeamBuildUK as possible on the night, with final tickets available to book now via the Building Awards website.

Fire Door Safety Week

This week is Fire Door Safety Week, which is run by Build UK member, British Woodworking Federation, every year to raise awareness of the critical role of fire doors. The focus this year is on the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, and there is a toolkit available to help check for faulty doors and poor installation.

Inclusive PPE Standard

The BSI has published BS 30417, a free new standard providing practical guidance on how to ensure PPE is inclusive and appropriate for all users. It covers selection and procurement, fit testing and adjustments, and the provision of training and information to help companies meet their legal duty to provide suitable PPE.

Build UK Board 2025/26

Chair

• Paul Brown, Chief Executive Officer, John Sisk & Son

Contractor Directors

• Katy Dowding, President and CEO, Skanska UK

• Graham Dundas, Chief Executive Officer, Willmott Dixon

• Callum Tuckett, Managing Director, Multiplex

Trade Association Directors

• Adam Binns, Managing Director, Binns Fencing (AFI)

• Lee Rowswell, Group Director, GKR Scaffolding (NASC)

• David Frise, Chief Executive Officer, BESA

Co-opted • Mark Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, SCAPE Group

Further information regarding the Board is available on the Build UK website, and we will be welcoming our new Chair and Board at the event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Build UK on the evening of Wednesday 19 November. Members should have received an invitation to join us at The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate in London, and please RSVP to [email protected].

Last Updated: 24/09/2025

Late Payments Consultation – Tuesday 30 September

Thanks to all those of you who have confirmed your attendance at the meeting next Tuesday 30 September from 9:00am – 10:30am to discuss the Late Payments Consultation.  

If you have not yet received a calendar invitation with the Zoom details and are planning to join us, please email [email protected] as soon as possible. 

Based on feedback from members to date, we have set out below some initial points to help inform the discussion at the meeting. Full details of the proposed measures can be found in the consultation document. 

1. Requiring audit committees to make recommendations on payment performance to company directors before results are published 

• Build UK’s benchmarking of payment performance in the construction sector has already significantly raised awareness within company leadership of the need for prompt payment, and we are yet to see the impact of the new requirement for payment information to be included in Directors’ reports from 1 January 2026. 

2. Introducing maximum payment terms of 60 days 

• The maximum payment term is already 60 days unless considered not ‘grossly unfair’ to the supplier, and most Build UK members that are required to report on payment performance have maximum terms of 60 days or less. 

3. Introducing a deadline of 30 days for disputing an invoice after receipt 

• The Construction Act already sets out a specific payment framework for construction contracts and as such this proposal is likely to be incompatible with the Act. 

4. Making it mandatory to pay interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate on late invoices 

• Whilst a fixed statutory interest rate of 8% above the Bank of England base rate would be fair, it is unclear how making the payment of interest mandatory would work in practice and how it would be enforced. 

5. Requiring large businesses to report on the payment of statutory interest 

• Large companies are reporting on an increasing number of metrics under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations and evidence of late payment is reflected in the existing metrics. As such, it is uncertain whether reporting on statutory interest would provide further transparency for the supply chain.

6. Giving the Small Business Commissioner powers to impose financial penalties on large businesses that consistently pay late 

• Build UK supports the principle of monitoring and enforcing the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations. If financial penalties are to be applied, consideration should be given to what would be the most appropriate way of determining poor payment performance. Currently 25% of the 130 companies listed in the Build UK payment table would be liable for a penalty based on the definition of paying 25% of invoices late.

7. Introducing additional powers for the Small Business Commissioner 

• As construction disputes are out of scope of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC), we understand that the power to provide legally binding arbitration would not apply to construction disputes. Any additional powers given to the SBC should provide further transparency for the supply chain. 

8. Either prohibiting the use of retentions or introducing requirements for retentions to be protected in a separate bank account or through a guarantee 

• The use of retentions impacts members across the supply chain and Build UK has previously supported legislative action being taken. We understand that there continue to be differing views on the way forward and a more detailed roadmap may be required. 

9. Changing the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations so that large businesses are required to report once, rather than twice, a year 

• Based on our experience to date, we are concerned that annual reporting would neither provide suppliers with up-to-date information nor result in large companies driving progress in performance. 

If you have any questions at this stage, please just let me know otherwise I look forward to seeing you at the meeting next Tuesday. 

last Updated: 18.09.2025

Members Hear from New BSR Chair

Thanks to all those members who joined our latest Building Safety call yesterday where Andy Roe, Non-Executive Chair of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), outlined the significant changes taking place within the BSR. He discussed the challenges the BSR faced, particularly around Gateway Two, and how the team is working at pace to improve the current process whilst maintaining the principles of the Building Safety Act which are ‘sacrosanct’. He welcomed the guidance that had been produced by Build UK for both Gateway Two and Gateway Three to help members and the wider industry preparing and submitting applications to the BSR.

Building on the evidence he gave to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Andy confirmed that his first job is to speed up the review of Gateway Two applications through the new ‘fast track unit’. He highlighted that assembling a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) within the current process was taking six weeks due to a lack of Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), and the BSR is working to establish a centralised team of RBIs by the end of September, with the intention that applicants would see a ‘very significant reduction in the backlog of cases’ by the end of the year.

In what members described as a ‘breath of fresh air’, Andy was clear that regular communication was a priority, and as confirmed by Chris Griffin-McTiernan, Deputy Director of Operations at the BSR, when giving evidence to the Committee, applicants of new build Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) should now be provided with a weekly update on the status of their applications. The BSR is also keen to understand the pipeline of upcoming applications, and members may have received a request to provide details of their anticipated projects between now and 2027.

Inspiring Careers in Construction

Construction needs to recruit almost 50,000 extra workers a year, and one of the best ways to show what our industry has to offer is to participate in Open Doors. At our Open Doors Coordinators meeting last week, we outlined our plans to take visitors behind the scenes of construction during Open Doors 2026 from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March.

We highlighted the benefits of hosting events, including direct recruitment, developing relationships with local schools and colleges, and sourcing candidates for work experience opportunities – as well as playing your part in showcasing the range of careers available in construction. 88% of the record 7,000 visitors in 2025 stated that they were more likely to consider a career in the industry after their visit, and you can all help us to recruit the next generation by opening up your sites, offices, training centres and manufacturing facilities across the UK.

Events for Open Doors 2026 can be registered on the Open Doors website from Monday 6 October, and further information can be found in our latest Open Doors update.

Supporting Construction Activity

Ahead of the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 26 November, Build UK as part of the CLC has followed up on recent meetings with the Treasury by setting out in a letter to the Chancellor a number of targeted interventions to support construction and unlock investment, enabling the industry to deliver the homes and infrastructure the economy needs.

These interventions include progressing the digitalisation of Government systems, such as those for planning and Building Control Approval; continuing to improve payment performance throughout the supply chain; and reviewing the impact that the increasing tax burden is having on construction activity. It has been highlighted to the Treasury that the proposals to reform Landfill Tax will significantly increase the cost of new homes and infrastructure and result in UK quarries that provide materials and undertake extensive nature restoration becoming unviable. The new Building Safety Levy, which will be implemented from 1 October 2026, will also add more cost to companies already paying for the remediation of housing, further increasing the cost of new homes.

The industry is keen to work with the Chancellor and newly appointed Construction Minister, Chris McDonald, to drive growth and offer employment opportunities across the UK; however, businesses have limited capacity to absorb further cost increases.

Migration Advisory Committee Update

Following the changes to the Points-Based Immigration System in July, which included raising the threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa to RQF Level 6, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is now reviewing the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which is a way for occupations at RQF Levels 3 – 5 to be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Occupations are currently only included on the TSL where the MAC has advised that it is justified, they are in key sectors, and there is a workforce strategy in place to maximise the use of the UK workforce. The first stage of the MAC review, which is expected to be completed in October, is focussed on the operation of the TSL and the terms and conditions that are attached to occupations on it, including time limits and caps on number of visas. Stage two will look at which occupations should be included in the next update to the TSL, and the CLC has been advised by the Department for Business and Trade that occupations at RQF Level 2 will not be considered.

Build UK’s flowchart provides an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK, and we have published detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill has returned to the House of Commons for a final time, with the Government confirming that it will overturn amendments to the Bill tabled by the House of Lords, including reducing the ‘day one’ protection from unfair dismissal. Build UK Partner Citation has published an overview of the reforms set out in the Bill, which is being regularly updated.

Excessive Noise Risks

A recent HSE inspection campaign has identified ‘significant failings’ in workplace hearing protection, including employees receiving no instruction on proper wearing techniques and employers not verifying whether workers could still detect warning signals. The HSE has published practical advice for employers on managing hearing protection using the ‘CUFF’ system.

RAAC Update

The Government has issued an update on the remediation of schools and hospitals with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which states that 60% of the schools and 50% of the hospitals affected by RAAC have had it removed entirely or are in the process of doing so.  

HS&E Test Review

CITB is consulting on the standards that underpin the 14 Health, Safety & Environment Tests to provide more consistency in testing and reduce the potential for fraud. There is a survey for each test, and members that would like to contribute are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Ibstock is keen to play an active role in shaping the future of UK construction and we see Build UK as the right platform to enable us to do that. Working in partnership with Government, Build UK brings together members from across the supply chain to combine insight, innovation and delivery capability to make meaningful progress on the challenges we face.”

Andrew Shepherd, Managing Director of Ibstock

Build UK has worked closely with the Government on the development of the Infrastructure Pipeline to provide much needed visibility and stability for the industry, and new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, will be joining the Build UK AGM next Tuesday 23 September to offer a unique insight into its delivery.

Last Updated: 16/09/2025

Inspiring Careers in Construction

Thank you to everyone who attended our first Coordinators meeting for Open Doors 2026 last week, where we outlined our plans to take young people and those looking for a change of career behind the scenes of construction from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March! Construction needs to recruit almost 50,000 extra workers a year, and with homes and infrastructure at the heart of the Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth, there are opportunities for everyone in our industry.

With more than 100 of you joining us for the meeting, we highlighted the benefits of hosting events, including direct recruitment, developing relationships with local schools and colleges, and sourcing candidates for work experience opportunities – as well as playing your part in showcasing the range of careers available in construction. 88% of the record 7,000 visitors in 2025 stated that they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, highlighting that there is no better way to promote the industry to the next generation!

We are working on a number of changes for 2026, including further improvements to the Open Doors website, the addition of new Open Doors Partners such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and growing Open Doors across the UK including Northern Ireland. If you missed the Coordinators meeting and would like to catch up, a copy of the recording is available on request by emailing us.

Get Ready to Register Events

Events for Open Doors 2026 can be registered on the Open Doors website from Monday 6 October, and there are a number of things you can do now to make sure you are ready to upload your first sites, offices, training centres and manufacturing facilities and take advantage of early interest from schools, colleges and universities.  

• Confirm your events – Identify the sites and other workplaces you plan to open and seek any necessary permissions
• Edit your profiles – Create or update event profiles on the Open Doors website using our latest Website User Guide
• Show you are Smart – Confirm with your site teams whether they are using CSCS Smart Check so you can include the logo on your profiles
• Get set – Make sure you set a reminder to activate your event profiles on Monday 6 October

Think promotion – Be ready to invite local educational groups to your events and to receive their enquiries.

Registering your events early is key as schools and colleges often need time to organise group visits for their students and the quicker you promote them via the website the more likely they are to get booked up.

Open Doors Success

The latest edition of the ‘My Route into Construction’ series published by our Media Partner, Building Magazine, features an Open Doors success story! Foysol Islam, an Assistant Design Manager at Willmott Dixon, highlights how his Open Doors visit in his final year at university kickstarted his career in the industry.

Go Construct Careers

CITB has launched Go Construct Careers where you can advertise all your new entrant opportunities for free. It is ideally located alongside all the new entrant resources on the Go Construct website, and CITB’s New Entrant Support Team offers a matching service for employers in-scope of CITB to connect them with potential candidates.

Last Updated: 11/09/2025

Build UK Publishes Guidance on Gateway Three

Building on our Gateway Two guidance, Build UK has published an overview of Gateway Three and the information and documents that must be included within an application to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for a Completion Certificate for a Higher-Risk Building (HRB). Gateway Three is a new application process which requires all the information to be submitted, even where it was previously provided as part of the Gateway Two application.

The Build UK guide is aligned with the BSR application portal and sets out the full list of questions that must be completed, including whether they are multiple choice, free text or a PDF document upload, to make it as easy as possible for members preparing and submitting a Gateway Three application. If a Partial Completion Strategy was agreed at Gateway Two and part of the building is intended to be occupied before work is completed on the rest of the building, then a Partial Completion Certificate must be applied for in relation to the work that has been completed. As is the case at Gateway Two, the BSR will carry out an initial assessment of the Gateway Three application to ensure that all the documents required have been submitted, which is known as the validation stage.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published updated guidance on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations in relation to the fire performance of flat entrance doors in existing blocks of flats. Designed to help Responsible Persons comply with their obligations to check that fire doors are regularly checked and remain suitable in accordance with the fire risk assessment originally undertaken, the update clarifies that the regulations do not require all existing flat entrance doors to be replaced to satisfy current standards for new blocks of flats as required by the Building Regulations.

The BSR and the Leasehold Advisory Service have launched a free online building safety training programme for Resident Management Companies to help them understand the Building Safety Act and their legal obligations for managing safety in High-Rise Residential Buildings.

Join Us at the Build UK AGM

With the continued focus on the delivery of homes and infrastructure across the UK, we are delighted that we will be joined by the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, at the 10^th AGM of Build UK on Tuesday 23 September from 8:30am – 9:45am to discuss the Government’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

Previously Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James will outline the ambition and commitment to deliver and maintain £725 billion of economic and social infrastructure over the next decade as set out in the new Infrastructure Pipeline. In his new role, James has responsibility for public expenditure and driving efficiency and value, and it is a unique opportunity for members to put their questions directly to the Treasury.

The new Build UK Chair and Board for 2025/26 will be appointed at the AGM and Paul Brown, Chief Executive of John Sisk & Son, will succeed Julie White as Chair. Matthew Nesbit, who was nominated for Vice Chair, is leaving William Hare Group and will now step down from the Board at the AGM. The position of Vice Chair will be considered by the new Board at its next meeting in October.

Contract Terms Recommendation

With recent figures revealing that construction activity declined for the eighth month in a row in August, the resilience of the supply chain remains a priority in such challenging market conditions, and Build UK’s contract terms recommendation identifies six contract terms which should be avoided to help ensure a fair allocation of risk:

• Fitness for Purpose – Do not include a ‘fitness for purpose’ standard of care for design (except in the process sector)
• Unquantifiable Risks – Do not include delay/loss and expense risk where not reasonably ascertainable for dealing with asbestos; fossils, antiquities and other objects of interest or value; unexploded ordnance; and the carrying out by statutory bodies of work in pursuance of their statutory obligations
• ‘Specified Perils’ – Do not include that ‘Specified Perils’ (as defined in JCT) will not give rise to extension of time where caused by the (sub-)contractor
• Breach of Contract – Do not include a blanket indemnity for breach of contract
• Uncapped Liabilities – Do not include uncapped (sub-)contractor liability (save for certain aggregate cap carve-outs)

Performance Securities – Do not use a pure on-demand performance bond; a Parent Company Guarantee (PCG) which does not include a ‘no greater liability’ clause and equivalent rights of defence; or a collateral warranty which does not include a ‘no greater liability’ clause.

We have published comprehensive guidance to help implement the recommendation, explaining why each term should not be used and setting out ways to manage the underlying issues more effectively, with specific guidance for JCT and NEC contracts. The recommendation is non‐binding and Build UK members are free to negotiate their own contractual terms with their clients.

Building the Future Conference

There are now only three weeks to go until the Building the Future Conference on Thursday 2 October supported by Build UK. The event hosted by Building Magazine at 155 Bishopsgate in central London will bring together leading industry experts to explore the biggest issues facing construction including building safety, and people and skills.

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE will be chairing a Building Safety Panel focussed on competence at 11:30am, with speakers including Andy Roe (BSR) and Build UK members Paul Brown (John Sisk & Son), Rachel Davidson (BESA) and Brett King (Procore). All the panel sessions will be fully interactive giving you the chance to have your say and put questions to the speakers. Build UK members will receive a 20% discount when booking places using the code ‘BUILDUK20’, meaning tickets are available for just £168 + VAT per person

Cabinet Reshuffle

The Prime Minister has reshuffled his cabinet following the resignation of Angela Rayner. Steve Reed has been appointed Housing Secretary with responsibility for the Government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes, whilst Peter Kyle is the new Business Secretary taking over from Jonathan Reynolds. Ministerial responsibility for both construction and building safety is yet to be confirmed.

Late Payments Meeting

Thanks to all those members who have confirmed their attendance at the Build UK meeting to discuss the Government consultation on late payments on Tuesday 30 September from 9:00am to 10:30am. The proposed package of legislative measures will impact members across the whole supply chain, and please email us to confirm your attendance and contribute to the Build UK response.

BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Miller is passionate about raising awareness of the continually evolving risks facing the construction sector, and through our partnership with Build UK we are helping more businesses across the supply chain to navigate and solve those risks effectively.”
Jason Baston, Head of Construction at Miller

Build UK works with Miller to publish a comprehensive guide to PI Insurance in Construction to support members to obtain the best available terms when renewing a policy or taking out a new one.

Last Updated: 03/09/2025

To: Build UK Members

The Government has launched a consultation on strengthening late payment legislation as part of its Small Business Plan.

The consultation proposes a broad package of measures as set out below, which will impact the whole construction supply chain.

To inform the Build UK response, we would like to invite you, or an appropriate representative from your organisation, to join an online meeting on Tuesday 30 September from 9:00am – 10:30am to share your views on the proposed measures.

I would be grateful if you could please confirm your attendance as soon as possible and a calendar invite with the details for the meeting will follow.

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