BUILD UK Updates - Painting and Decorating Association

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: 04/12/2025

Open Doors 2026: Booking Opens Soon

There is just over a month to go until booking opens for Open Doors visitors on Monday 12 January. With more than 100 events already registered across the UK, we can’t wait to welcome visitors to a fascinating range of sites, including Buckingham Palace, Natural History Museum ‐ Unlocked, Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Aintree Hospital. A huge thank you to all those members opening the doors to their sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres from Monday 23 ‐ Saturday 28 March to showcase what construction has to offer.

Open Doors, delivered by Build UK, has a proven track record of recruiting young people into the industry, and we are once again seeing significant interest from schools, colleges and universities. With a new report from Open Doors partner Prospects highlighting the importance of placements in transitioning to the workplace, you can help more young people take their first step into the industry by uploading all your events to the Open Doors website ahead of the Christmas break.

Building Safety Latest

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published new data on Gateway Two applications for the period 6 October to 24 November 2025, showing progress made with the backlog of applications and the new Innovation Unit. There were 401 decisions across all application types in this period, taking the total to 578 decisions since the end of August

For applications submitted under the previous model, the approval rate is now 73%, and the BSR has highlighted that many of these have used the ‘approval with requirements’ route. There are 54 ‘legacy’ new build applications and the BSR is prioritising meetings with regulatory partners to finalise the majority of these in December. The Innovation Unit, which has been established to speed up the processing of new build applications, is now managing 73 of 167 live applications. Decisions have already been made on 11 applications within the 12‐week period set out in the service level agreement, but all were either deemed invalid or rejected, and we are working with the BSR to understand the reasons for this.

The latest data release from MHCLG covering all the remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England shows remediation works have been completed on 35% of the 5,570 buildings identified up to the end of October 2025, with work underway on a further 14%. The Remediation Bill will require landlords of buildings 18 metres and over to complete remediation by the end of 2029, and work has now been fully completed on 91% of the 513 buildings identified to have unsafe ACM cladding.

Skills Update

Last week’s Budget introduced a number of changes to apprenticeship funding. From the next academic year, the 10% top‐up that Apprenticeship Levy payers receive will be withdrawn and funds will only be available for 12 months once paid into a Levy account, rather than the 24 months that employers currently have to use up their funds.

In addition, once an employer’s Levy funds have been spent, the Government’s contribution to further training costs will drop from 95% to 75%, increasing the cost to employers from 5% to 25%. Non‐Levy payers will no longer have to contribute 5% to the cost of apprenticeships for learners aged 22 ‐ 24.

Congratulations to Marion Marsland, Chief Executive of Build UK member TICA, who has been appointed the new Chair of the CSCS Alliance, which brings together the 37 card schemes that carry the CSCS logo. With experience overseeing the TICA Skill Card, which is part of the CSCS Alliance, Marion will serve a two-year term as Chair, with the option of a further two‐year extension.

The Plant Sector Representative Organisation is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 14 January from 2:00pm to 3:00pm to provide an update on the competence frameworks that have been developed for the main construction plant occupations. Members interested in finding out more can register for the webinar.

Members to Hear From NHP

Build UK will be hosting a meeting in partnership with the New Hospital Programme (NHP) in the New Year, where the NHP team will set out ambitions for the year ahead, as work on the £37 billion programme, which represents the greatest single investment in NHS infrastructure in recent decades, gathers pace in line with the Plan for Implementation.

The NHP, a Build UK member, will deliver brand new, state‐of‐the‐art facilities to ensure world‐class provision of healthcare for NHS patients and hospital staff across England. With a bold vision to transform the way hospital infrastructure is delivered, the NHP will provide an overview of the Hospital 2.0 system and set out how companies of all sizes can get involved. The meeting, which will take place via Zoom on Thursday 29 January from 9:00am ‐ 10:30am, is a great opportunity to hear directly from the NHP about upcoming opportunities, and members can register now to confirm their attendance.

Assessment Bodies

The seven Recognised Assessment Bodies for the Common Assessment Standard – Achilles, Compliance Chain, Constructionline, CQMS, SCCS, Smas Worksafe, and Veriforce CHAS – are reviewed every year to ensure their competency. They have all successfully completed this process for another 12 months, meaning suppliers can continue to obtain the Common Assessment Standard from any one of them.

Employment Rights Bill

The Government has confirmed that the Employment Rights Bill will be amended so that the qualifying period for unfair dismissal is reduced from two years to six months, rather than made a ‘day one’ right. Existing day one protections against automatically unfair grounds for dismissal and discrimination will be maintained, and new day one rights to sick pay and paternity leave will still be introduced from April 2026.

Congestion Charge

Transport for London has announced a number of changes to the London Congestion Charging scheme from 2 January 2026, including an increase in the daily charge from £15 to £18. The Cleaner Vehicle Discount will also be replaced with a discount on the daily charge of 50% for electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles and 25% for electric cars registered for Auto Pay.

Cyber Security

With half of small businesses having suffered a cyber attack in the last 12 months, the Government has published an open letter to small businesses on protecting against cyber crime. The Cyber Action Toolkit sets out simple steps to reduce the risk of cyber attacks, and members can sign up to the NCSC Early Warning system for advanced notice of threats.

Holiday Dates 2026

Every year, the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) publishes guidance on annual and public/bank holidays that apply under the CIJC Working Rule Agreement. The annual entitlement in 2026 will remain at 23 days plus eight public/bank holidays, and the CIJC guidance will be available here once published.
This is the final Build UK update of the year, although we will be sharing our ‘Year in Review 2025’ with you next week before taking a break for Christmas. The Build UK office will close on Wednesday 24 December and re‐open on Monday 5 January, with our first update of 2026 landing in your inboxes on Thursday 8 January.

We wish all our members and partners a wonderful break!

Last Updated: 27/11/2025

Maintaining the Common Assessment Standard

Following publication of the latest version of the Common Assessment Standard on 1 July, the Building Safety section is mandatory for all companies that carry out design and building work under the Building Safety Act. The Act applies to work on all buildings, including their erection or extension; renovation, refurbishment or structural alteration; and maintenance, as well as the installation of Safety Critical features and the provision of controlled services or fittings.

A number of Build UK members are now specifying that companies in their supply chain must have successfully completed the Building Safety section in the Common Assessment Standard in order to work on projects in scope of the Act. However, we understand that some Specialist Contractors are opting out of completing this section on the basis that they do not work on Higher‐Risk Buildings. All companies undertaking work covered by the Act should complete the Building Safety section and may find that they are unable to work on projects until they do so.

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 to save time, reduce costs and win work.

Government Commits to Investment

The Chancellor delivered her Budget yesterday, acknowledging that infrastructure is the ‘backbone’ of economic growth and reiterating the Government’s aim to ‘Get Britain Building’. Whilst the focus was on reducing the cost of living, a number of changes were announced that will impact businesses in the construction industry, including:

From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for over 21‐year‐olds will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour, whilst the National Minimum Wage will rise by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour for 18 to 20 years olds and by 6% to £8.00 per hour for 16 and 17‐year‐olds and apprentices.
The main rate of writing down allowances – which allows companies to deduct a percentage of the value of certain items from their profits each year – will decrease from 18% to 14% from April 2026, with a new first‐year allowance of 40% for main‐rate assets from 1 January 2026.
A new mileage‐based charge on battery electric and plug‐in hybrid vehicles will be introduced from April 2028.
From April 2029, salary‐sacrificed pension contributions above an annual threshold of £2,000 will no longer be exempt from National Insurance.
£48 million will be made available to recruit an additional 350 planners and establish a Planning Careers Hub to provide training programmes to support the retention of existing planners.
There will be further investment in the Lower Thames Crossing, the expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Sizewell C, and the extension of the DLR to Thamesmead.
The Government will not be proceeding with converging the two rates of Landfill Tax, but will instead prevent the gap between the two rates getting any wider. The Quarries Exemption – which permits the disposal of specific inert materials, such as chalk, clays and subsoils, in quarries – will also be retained.

It was also confirmed that as part of the National Planning Policy Framework, which will be consulted on later this year, housebuilding near train stations will receive a default ‘yes’ in future if certain criteria are met. Councils will also be required to inform Government if they intend to block applications of 150 or more houses so that Ministers can decide whether to intervene.

Building Safety Update

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has worked with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) to publish a new guide on meeting the Declaration of Performance requirements under the Construction Products Regulation 2011, which is a standardised way of communicating how construction products perform.

The guide explains the obligations that apply to manufacturers, importers and distributors when creating a Declaration of Performance, including the information it must contain and how it should be supplied, to help users make informed decisions about which products are suitable for particular projects. There is also a template Declaration of Performance that manufacturers can use for their products to improve consistency across the industry.

Each quarter, the OPSS publishes details of its enforcement actions under the Construction Product Regulations 2013, and members should be checking to ensure that the products they are using or specifying have not been subject to any enforcement action.

MHCLG is consulting on proposals to allow Local Authorities to charge for more building control functions provided under the Building Act and Building Regulations. These include inspecting works before Building Control Approval is granted, issuing compliance and stop notices, and responding to appeals against decisions made. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 25 January 2026.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is recruiting for a new Chair of the Building Advisory Committee, which advises the BSR on all building functions other than competence. it is an ongoing fixed‐term appointment, which can be held for a maximum of three years, and the deadline for applications, including a CV and covering statement, is 5 January 2026.

Diversity Results

Build UK member the Supply Chain Sustainability School will be presenting the results of its annual Diversity Survey on Thursday 22 January in London, in partnership with the Sustainability Tool. Members can register to attend the free one‐day conference and find out how the latest results can be used to support a more diverse and inclusive workforce and supply chain.

FloodReady Report

The Government has published an independent review into how the UK can accelerate the uptake of flood resilience measures to better protect homes from flooding. FloodReady makes a number of recommendations, including greater collaboration between Local Authorities and water companies, and targeting investment in areas where measures will offer the greatest benefit.

Accident Statistics

The HSE has published its annual accident statistics for construction covering the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. There were 35 fatal injuries to construction workers, compared to an annual average of 40 fatalities over the past five years, with 53% caused by falls from height. The number of specified and over 7‐day injuries in 2024/25 (3,726) was also slightly lower than the annual five‐year average (3,886).

Acas Early Conciliation

The Acas early conciliation period – where Acas talks to both parties involved in an employment dispute to try to reach agreement without going to an employment tribunal – will be extended from six to 12 weeks for cases notified to Acas after 1 December 2025. This change will not affect the time limit for making a claim to a tribunal which in most cases is three months minus one day from the date of the incident.

A Decade of Build UK – Thanks for Your Support

This year, we have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of Build UK, which concluded last week with a fantastic event at The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate in London. With the generous support of our sponsors – Citation, CONSTRUCT, John Sisk & Son, Keltbray, Multiplex, People’s Pension, Quintain and Willmott Dixon – we were joined by over 200 members and stakeholders for an unforgettable evening celebrating our achievements over the last decade, from delivering change on key issues to navigating some of our industry’s most challenging events.

To those of you who were there at the start and to those of you who joined us along the way…thank you. Together, we are #TeamBuildUK and that is what makes us different – and enables us to make the difference. Here’s to the next 10 years!

Last Updated: 20/11/2025

Exclusive Preview of Open Doors 2026

Build UK member and Open Doors partner Willmott Dixon has given visitors an exciting preview of what they can expect from #OpenDoors26 next March by hosting a behind‐the‐scenes tour at the Queen Mary University of London’s School of Business & Management. A group of Construction Management students from the Global Banking School had an exclusive look at the £48.8 million project scheduled to complete in 2027, which will provide flexible learning and teaching spaces, whilst contributing to the wider enhancement of Mile End Road.

Making the most of the opportunity to explore the site and put questions to the Willmott Dixon team, the students got to see first‐hand the wide range of opportunities the industry has to offer, with Graham Dundas, CEO at Willmott Dixon and a member of the Build UK Board, highlighting how “opening our doors to visitors can spark curiosity and reveal career possibilities that young people simply hadn’t considered before”.

Off the back of a record 7,000 visitors in 2025, there has never been a better time to get involved in Open Doors, and you can find out more about how visits like the one at the Queen Mary University of London can help to recruit the next generation in this article from Open Doors media partner Building Magazine. With schools and colleges needing time to plan visits for their students in advance, members are encouraged to register events on the Open Doors website as soon as possible, and more information can be found in our latest Open Doors update.

Building Safety Latest News

Draft regulations have been laid before Parliament to transfer the functions of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) from the HSE to a new executive non‐departmental public body, sponsored by MHCLG, from 27 January 2026. The new body will keep all the powers, staff and live cases currently sitting within the HSE’s Building Safety Division.

There will be a new board structure put in place, made up of a chair and between three and eight members, with committees continuing to oversee building control, industry competence, and residents’ views. It is the first step towards establishing a single construction regulator, which is one of the recommendations in the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Another Inquiry recommendation is the introduction of a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors wishing to work on Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), and Build UK hosted a roundtable with MHCLG earlier this month to look at how the scheme might operate. There was a clear desire to ensure that any scheme builds on the requirements already in place, including the Common Assessment Standard, and MHCLG is expected to publish its proposals on licensing for consultation in autumn 2026.

The latest data release from MHCLG covering all the remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England shows remediation works have been completed on 35% of the 5,558 buildings identified up to the end of September 2025, with work underway on a further 13%. The new Remediation Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, will require landlords of buildings 18 metres and over to complete remediation by the end of 2029, and work has now been fully completed on 91% of those buildings with unsafe ACM cladding.

Temporary Shortage List Update

As part of its review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has identified 82 occupations for potential inclusion, and Build UK will be working with the CLC to coordinate the industry’s response to the upcoming call for evidence, which will determine the final list of occupations put forward to the Home Secretary.

A range of construction occupations are being considered, including 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 Trade Associations representing these occupations are invited to join the next meeting of the CLC Movement of People Working Group, supported by the Department for Business and Trade, on Monday 24 November from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. The meeting will provide an overview of what it means for an occupation to be included on the TSL and the supporting evidence that will be required when responding to the call for evidence. Any members interested in attending the meeting can request an invite.

The Government has committed to ‘restore control to our borders’ and published its new asylum and returns policy earlier this week, which makes refugee status temporary. 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 the changes being introduced by Government, along with our detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Infrastructure Delivery

A new report from the All‐Party Parliamentary Group on Project Delivery has identified the need for a radical shift in the way that major infrastructure projects are delivered. With too many projects falling into a ‘valley of death’ between policy and delivery, the report makes a number of recommendations, including improving project delivery capability, earlier supplier involvement, and a roadmap to tackle the skills gap.

CE Marking

The Government has published The Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to ensure that CE‐marked construction products will continue to be accepted as an alternative to the UKCA mark in Great Britain, following the introduction of the EU CPR 2024. The new regulations, which will come into force from 8 January 2026, will not impose any new requirements on either manufacturers or the supply chain.

Inclusive PPE Standard

The BSI has published a free standard to provide practical guidance on how to ensure PPE is inclusive, appropriate and protects a diverse workforce. BS 30417 covers selection and procurement, fit testing and adjustments, and the provision of training and information to help employers demonstrate compliance with health and safety, equality, and employment legislation.

Asbestos Regulations

The HSE is consulting on improving the application of the Control of Asbestos Regulations and guidance around asbestos management. Proposals include clarifying the type of work that constitutes work with asbestos and ensuring the independence and impartiality of roles in clearing asbestos to minimise the risk of exposure. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 January.

Build UK Representation

Build UK and members who hold the status of Strategic Supplier to Government met with the Government’s Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Forzani, and the Chief Executive of NISTA, Becky Wood, to discuss delivery of the Infrastructure Pipeline and measures that would support the industry.
Construction Minister Chris McDonald joined the latest in‐person meeting of the CLC to explore a range of issues affecting the construction sector from the ever‐increasing tax burden, including the proposed changes to Landfill Tax, to the delivery of increased numbers of social housing.

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE was invited to meet the new Building Safety Minister, Sam Dixon, to review the implementation of the building safety regime and the role of MHCLG in working with Build UK and its members to improve the Gateway process.

Last Updated: 13/11/2025

New BSR Chief Executive Addresses Members

Over 130 members joined our latest Building Safety call earlier this week where the new Chief Executive of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), Charlie Pugsley, drew on his experience of 30 years with the London Fire Brigade to outline how buildings perform ‘in real life’ and the issues that arise when systems are not installed properly. He also gave an update on the changes currently being implemented within the BSR to speed up the processing of Gateway Two applications, including the new Innovation Unit and its centralised team of in‐house Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), the ‘batching’ of applications for review by third‐party Building Control Bodies, and dedicated account managers to improve communication with applicants.

The BSR has issued guidance following the collapse of Assent Building Compliance Ltd, which has two Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs), LB Building Control Ltd and Oculus Building Consultancy Ltd. It is understood that 10 Higher‐Risk Building (HRB) projects are affected, which will revert to the BSR, and the BSR has stated that it does ‘not envisage a knock‐on impact on [its] overall Gateway Two work’. Non‐HRB projects will revert to the relevant local authority unless an alternative RBCA was appointed within seven days of the cancellation notice being issued for the project by LB or Oculus. In this situation, the new RBCA will have to issue a new initial notice for the project, which must then be accepted by the local authority.

Build UK’s next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 27 January and your nominated Building Safety representative will receive the details directly.

Tackling Ill‐Health in the Workplace

The Keep Britain Working Review undertaken by Sir Charlie Mayfield highlights that one in five working‐age adults are now out of work due to health reasons and that a ‘fundamental shift’ is required to make health at work a ‘shared responsibility between employers, employees and health services’, in order to support people to stay in work.

With employers losing on average £120 per day in profit from sickness absences, the review identifies persistent problems with managing health issues and disabilities in the workplace. These include employers ‘fearing doing the wrong thing’ and causing offence or triggering grievances, and employees worried about ‘stigma, discrimination, or damage to career prospects’. There is also a lack of support for managing issues when they arise, and a new Healthy Working Lifecycle framework aims to help employers work with their employees to reduce sickness absence, improve return‐to‐work rates, and increase disability employment rates. Over 60 organisations have committed to act as ‘vanguards’ for the early adoption of the framework, and the Government is working on developing it into a voluntary certified standard by 2029.

The deadline for the CLC Mental Health Consultation has been extended until Friday 21 November, and members across the supply chain are asked to encourage their workforce to respond, in order to help identify how to manage the primary causes of poor mental health in construction.

Companies House Changes

From Tuesday 18 November, it will be a legal requirement for company directors to verify their identity with Companies House in order to submit their company’s next confirmation statement. It follows the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to improve transparency over UK companies and tackle economic crime.

Individuals can verify their identity by supplying the evidence requested via their GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Anyone using their GOV.UK One Login will need a mobile phone with a working camera and photo ID such as a driving licence or passport. The process should take around 10 minutes and verified individuals will receive a personal code which they can use for each company they are a director of.

Companies House has announced that a number of its fees will be changing from 1 February 2026. These include the confirmation statement digital filing fee increasing from £34 to £50, the incorporation digital filing fee doubling from £50 to £100, and the digital voluntary strike off fee being reduced from £33 to £13. Details of all the changes can be found on the Companies House website.

CIOB Lecture

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE hosted this year’s CIOB Lecture, which is now available to view online. Mark Farmer, Founder and Board Executive of Build UK member Cast, explored how the professional services sector will need to evolve, including through the use of AI, to ensure professional competence in the future.

School HGV Toolkit

Build UK Partner CLOCS has developed a school engagement toolkit with the aim of helping organisations to educate children about the risks associated with Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and how to stay safe around them. The toolkit includes materials for use during a school or youth group visit with an HGV hands‐on ‘show and tell’ experience.

Government Latest News

The new Defence Housing Strategy, backed by £9 billion of funding, will modernise, refurbish or rebuild more than 40,000 service family homes over the next decade, with a dedicated Defence Development Fund to unlock wider delivery of 100,000 homes on surplus defence land.
To speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure, the Environment Agency will be given greater powers to decide which activities should be exempt from requiring an environmental permit, including site investigation works, drainage operations, and the storage of waste materials.
Four consultations have been published relating to the implementation of the Employment Rights Bill. The first two on trade union access close on 18 December 2025, with a further two related to bereavement leave and protections for pregnant women ending on 15 January 2026. Build UK Partner Citation has produced an overview of the Bill, which is being regularly updated.

Following an increase in ransomware attacks, new guidance has been published setting out the practical steps that organisations can take to build resilience in their supply chains against ransomware threats, including checking the security of key suppliers and safeguarding against vulnerabilities.

Last Updated: 10/11/2025

Skills White Paper Published

The Government has published a Post‐16 Education and Skills White Paper, which includes a new target for two‐thirds of young people to participate in higher‐level learning by the age of 25, including at least 10% pursuing higher technical education or apprenticeships, in order to ensure they have ‘the skills needed to thrive in tomorrow’s job market’.

To achieve its target, the Government will be introducing the lifelong learning entitlement in September 2026 to provide a single funding system for post‐18 education. It is also consulting on new qualification pathways, with V Levels to be introduced at Level 3 to offer a vocational pathway for learners. The new V Levels will replace all other Level 3 qualifications sitting alongside A Levels (academic pathway) and T Levels (technical pathway with industry placement) for 16 ‐ 19 year olds. Two new pathways are also proposed for Level 2: occupational and further study. The consultation on the design and implementation of the new pathways is open until Monday 12 January 2026 for members to share their views.

Following publication of the Skills White Paper, the Government has also set out how it plans to reform the national curriculum for 5 ‐ 16 year olds to ensure every young person has a ‘cast‐iron grip’ on the basics of reading, science and maths. It is part of how the Government will meet its target for two‐thirds of young people to participate in higher‐level learning by the age of 25, and the new national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 and implemented in full from September 2028.

Digital Skills Passport

The Skills White Paper promotes the development of skills passports to enable the competence of individuals to be ‘documented, endorsed and transferred between employers and sectors’, and construction is leading the way with the rollout of the My CSCS App, which provides the foundations of a digital skills passport for the industry.

Build UK is calling on the Construction Skills Misson Board to support the digital skills passport to ensure that Clients and other dutyholders under the Building Safety Act can demonstrate and enforce the competence of individuals working on their projects. The My CSCS 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.

Get Involved with Open Doors

A huge thank you to all those members that have already confirmed their support for #OpenDoors26 by registering almost 60 events to take place across the UK 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. 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.

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.

Whilst the existing route of submitting grant applications via email will remain available for the time being, employers are being encouraged to start using CITB Online Services going forwards. CITB has published a range of guidance and is running webinars to provide a ‘hands‐on look’ at the portal on Wednesday 12 November, Monday 24 November, Wednesday 3 December and Thursday 11 December which members can register to attend. Further support is also available from your local CITB adviser.

Degree Apprenticeships

Build UK has published information on Degree Apprenticeships in Construction to help potential new entrants who may be interested in joining the industry via this route. With several members recently opening applications for their Degree Apprenticeships, the Build UK overview provides links to the relevant careers webpages with details of the opportunities available.

Plant Competence

Build UK is part of the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO), which has developed competence frameworks setting out the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours required for each mainstream construction plant occupation. The competence frameworks are currently open for consultation with any feedback to be submitted by Friday 14 November.

Right to Work Checks

The Home Office has issued a consultation on extending right to work checks to include individuals engaged as casual or temporary workers, sub‐contractors, or via online matching services that provide details of individuals available to work, and the deadline to submit a response is Wednesday 10 December. Build UK’s flowchart provides an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK.

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 primary causes of poor mental health in the construction industry. The CLC has extended the deadline to Friday 21 November, and the findings will be used to develop an action plan which is expected to be published next spring.

Improving Digital Competency

A new report from Skills England exploring AI upskilling needs, barriers and opportunities across 10 key growth sectors in the UK has revealed that there are more AI opportunities opening in construction than other sectors but the adoption of AI has been slower in comparison.

The construction sector overview highlights increased opportunities for AI, such as drone‐assisted surveying for land assessments and augmented reality for on‐site safety simulations. However, construction is one of the least digitally mature sectors, with key issues including a lack of basic digital literacy and limited integration into vocational pathways. The report includes an AI skills tools package, which members can use to assess their AI competencies, and there is an example of how a construction firm can integrate AI into their site operations.

The CLC has also published Developing Digital Competency in the Built Environment outlining the core components of digital competency, and members can use the framework to assess their digital capabilities and identify areas for improvement.

Last Updated: 06/11/2025

Navigating Gateway Three

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published an update on Gateway Three, based on its experience of the first applications to go through the process. Described by the BSR as the ‘moment of truth’, Gateway Three is the final checkpoint of the building safety regime for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) where it must be demonstrated that a building complies with Building Regulations and is safe for residents to occupy, in order for it to obtain a Completion Certificate.

With nine Gateway Three applications for new build HRBs approved to date, the BSR has provided feedback on the reasons why applications are being delayed. These include gaps in fire and structural safety documentation, weak change control records, discrepancies between as built drawings and the systems or materials installed, and safety system integration issues. The BSR has also set out practical steps which should be followed during the construction phase to make the Gateway Three process easier, including maintaining an up‐to‐date Golden Thread, engaging consistently with Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), managing an effective Change Control Log, and carrying out internal verification checks to ensure documentation, calculations and test certificates align.

Build UK’s guide to Gateway Three sets out the information and documents that must be included within an application for a Completion Certificate for an HRB. We have also updated our Building Safety Guide to reflect the latest guidance and information that has been published, including the Building Safety Levy which will be operational from 1 October 2026, and the new Voluntary Occurrence Reporting system to be provided by CROSS‐UK until at least 2028.

Skills White Paper Published

To achieve its target, the Government will be introducing the lifelong learning entitlement in September 2026 to provide a single funding system for post‐18 education. It is also consulting on new qualification pathways, with V Levels to be introduced at Level 3 to offer a vocational pathway for learners. The new V Levels will replace all other Level 3 qualifications sitting alongside A Levels (academic pathway) and T Levels (technical pathway with industry placement). Two new pathways are also proposed for Level 2: occupational and further study. The consultation on the design and implementation of the new pathways is open until Monday 12 January 2026 for members to share their views.

Following publication of the Skills White Paper, the Government has also set out how it plans to reform the national curriculum for 5 – 16 year olds to ensure every young person has a ‘cast‐iron grip’ on the basics of reading, science and maths. It is part of how the Government will meet its target for two‐thirds of young people to participate in higher‐level learning by the age of 25, and the new national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 and implemented in full from September 2028.

Further Changes to Immigration

The Government has confirmed the next set of changes to be implemented in relation to the Points‐Based Immigration System, as set out in its Immigration White Paper. From 16 December 2025, the Immigration Skills Charge paid by employers when assigning a certificate of sponsorship to an individual on a Skilled Worker Visa will increase by 32%.

After raising the qualification threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa to degree level equivalent over the summer, the language requirement for a new Skilled Worker visa will increase from Level B1 (GCSE equivalent) to Level B2 (A Level equivalent) from 8 January 2026. 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 the changes, along with our detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.

The Home Office has issued a consultation on extending the Right to Work Scheme to include self‐employed workers. As part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, companies that engage individuals as casual or temporary workers, as sub‐contractors, or via online matching services that provide details of individuals available to work, will be required to carry out right to work checks to make sure they are eligible to work in the UK. The consultation is seeking views on how the extended checks will operate and be enforced, and the deadline for responses via the online form is Wednesday 10 December.

Retrofitting Homes

The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations, commonly referred to as Awaab’s Law, came into force on 27 October 2025 and will require social landlords to address within fixed timeframes emergency hazards and damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm or face court action.

On being notified of an emergency hazard, a social landlord must investigate and undertake any relevant safety work required to make the property safe as soon as reasonably practical and within 24 hours. Damp and mould hazards must be investigated within 10 working days and the relevant safety work undertaken within five working days of the investigation concluding. The Government has confirmed that the regulations will be extended in 2026 to include other hazards that present a significant risk of harm, including excess cold and heat, structural collapse and explosions, and fire and electrical hazards.

A recent report from the National Audit Office has revealed that 98% of homes that had external wall insultation installed under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) need remediation work. The report sets out how ECO should be reformed to ensure consumer protection and quality assurance, with action taken against non‐compliant installers and assessors.

Housebuilding in London

The Government has announced a number of time‐limited measures, which are subject to consultation, designed to increase housebuilding in London. The ‘Package for London’ includes a fast‐tracked planning process for sites with at least 20% affordable housing, as well as emergency relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy for developers.

Reducing Bureaucracy

As part of reducing the administrative costs of business regulations by 25% as set out in its Modern Industrial Strategy, the Government has announced a number of proposed reforms, which include removing the requirement for any company to produce a Directors’ Report and for most medium‐sized private companies to produce a Strategic Report.

Discounted Energy Costs

The Government has confirmed that electricity costs will be reduced for energy‐intensive businesses from 1 April 2026. As set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy, the discount on electricity network charges for businesses in sectors such as steel, cement, glass and chemicals will go up from 60% to 90%.

Working Platforms

Build UK Trade Association member Federation of Piling Specialists has published updated guidance on working platforms, with the aim of ensuring they are designed, constructed, regularly inspected and maintained for the plant which will use them, in order to reduce the risk of piling rigs toppling over.

Award‐Winning Members

Build UK was delighted to support this year’s Building Awards 2025 and congratulations to those members who took home awards earlier this week!

Berkeley Group – Housebuilder & Housing Developer of the Year
Kier – MMC Award and Net Zero Award for HMP Millsike
Morgan Sindall – Delivering Social Value Award for Manor Road Quarter in London
Multiplex – Major Contractor of the Year (over £500m) and Retrofit Project of the Year (Modern) for 76 Southbank
Turner & Townsend alinea – Digital Excellence Award.

Special congratulations to Build UK Board member, Katy Dowding of Skanska UK, who was named CEO of the Year for her ‘dedication to fostering a collaborative and forward‐thinking culture’ and prioritising digital transformation and sustainability, alongside initiatives to improve health, safety and wellbeing.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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