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: 04/08/2022
Build UK Members Maintain Payment Performance
The latest results published under the Duty to Report on Payment Practices and Performance show that Build UK members have maintained their payment performance over the last six months, despite the significant pressures caused by rising inflation. Contractor members are now reporting an average of 31 days to pay invoices, down from 32 days at the start of this year and 45 days when the Build UK table was first published in July 2018. On average, they are paying 94% of invoices within 60 days, up from 82% four years ago.
Build UK’s payment performance table features more than 100 of the industry’s largest companies, including contractors, clients and housebuilders, to provide a comprehensive picture of payment practices across the construction industry.
All the latest business news can be found in our Improving Business Performance update.
Changes to UKCA Marking
UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is replacing CE marking following Brexit and the Government is making it simpler for businesses to apply the UKCA mark for most products placed on the GB market from 1 January 2023.
- For products that have already been tested by an EU notified body by the end of 2022, including construction products under AVCP system 3, manufacturers will be able to apply the UKCA mark without the need to re‐test.
- Spares will continue to be accepted onto the GB market where they comply with the same requirements that were in place at the time the original products or systems they are being used to repair, replace or maintain were placed on the market.
- The need to re‐test existing imported stock will be removed, allowing CE marked products that are imported into the UK by the end of 2022 to be sold without the need to meet UKCA requirements.
If a construction product is covered under AVCP system 3 and placed on the GB market, either for the first time or after it has been modified, from 1 January 2023, then it will need to be tested by a UK notified body to achieve the UKCA mark.
Cost of Living Toolkit
With the Government providing £37 billion this year to help households deal with the rising cost of living, a new toolkit has been published to raise awareness of the support available. Part of the Government’s Cost of Living campaign, it contains a range of resources to promote the one‐off Cost of Living Payments as well as the support for energy bills, food and childcare costs, which members can use to share the information with employees.
Build UK continues to call for a collective response to mitigate the pressures of inflation on construction projects, and our guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, includes advice on fluctuations clauses and negotiating new and existing contracts to take inflation into account.
CSCS Apprentice Cards
CSCS has removed the cost and simplified the application process for Apprentice Cards issued by the core scheme. Individuals requiring a card prior to enrolment or whilst registering for their apprenticeship will need to apply for a Provisional Card, which they can then exchange for an Apprentice Card at no further cost.
Conflict Avoidance Pledge
As industry leaders continue to highlight the need for a collaborative approach to rising inflation, the CLC is supporting the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, which commits businesses to implementing conflict avoidance measures in contracts and on site, with the aim of delivering projects on time and budget with fewer disputes.
New Hospital Programme Industry Day
The New Hospital Programme (NHP) is hosting an Industry Day on Tuesday 20 September to outline how businesses across the supply chain can play a role in the biggest hospital building programme in a generation. With a target to develop 48 hospitals by 2030, the NHP will set out how it is building better, faster and greener ahead of the forthcoming procurement launch of the NHP’s Framework Alliance. Places are limited and members can register their interest to attend either in‐person at the Vox Conference Venue in Birmingham (B40 1PU) or online.
The NHP has previously published the NHP Supplier Guide outlining what it requires from its supply chain, along with the first NHP commercial pipeline which provides visibility of current and future contract opportunities up to 2024.
Last Updated: 01/08/2022
Build UK Members Maintain Payment Performance
The latest results published under the Duty to Report on Payment Practices and Performance show that Build UK members have maintained their payment performance over the last six months, despite the significant pressures caused by rising inflation. Contractor members are now reporting an average of 31 days to pay invoices, down from 32 days at the start of this year and 45 days when the Build UK table was first published in July 2018. On average, they are paying 94% of invoices within 60 days, up from 82% four years ago.
Build UK’s payment performance table features more than 100 of the industry’s largest companies, including contractors, clients and housebuilders, to provide a comprehensive picture of payment practices across the construction industry.
Managing Price Inflation
The CLC Product Availability Group has issued its latest statement, confirming price inflation is expected to persist ‘across most product categories for the rest of the year’, with ongoing concerns over rising energy costs and labour shortages. With cost escalation now the key issue facing members across the supply chain, Build UK Chair Paul Cossell has called for a collective response to mitigate the significant impact of inflation on current and future projects.
We learned the value of collaboration during the pandemic and proved that we perform better when we work together, and Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, published with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP, includes advice on fluctuations clauses and negotiating contracts to take inflation into account.
Obtaining PI Insurance
A CLC survey undertaken earlier this year revealed that companies across the industry are still finding it difficult to secure Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance. 42% of respondents found the experience of buying PI insurance significantly worse than their last renewal, and nearly a quarter were unable to buy the cover they want or need. Almost 70% of companies had some form of restriction on their cover relating to cladding or fire safety, with a third being prevented from undertaking remediation work on unsafe cladding as a result.
Build UK’s comprehensive guide to PI insurance, produced with the support of Miller Insurance, provides an overview of what it is, why it is needed, and how to obtain the best possible terms in the current market.
COVID‐19 Update
With the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimating that 1 in 20 people in England now have COVID‐19, businesses across all sectors are feeling the impact of staff absences. Build UK Partner Citation has produced guidance for employers on managing the spread of respiratory illnesses within the workplace, including COVID‐19, whilst still meeting health and safety and other legal obligations. If you or your supply chain are being adversely affected by increasing COVID‐19 rates, please email us.
Recovery Loan Scheme
The Government’s Recovery Loan Scheme has been extended for a further two years and will now remain open until July 2024. To help with increasing cost pressures, small businesses can access loans of up to £10 million, with lenders given a Government‐backed guarantee against the outstanding balance
Help to Grow
Businesses with 10 or more employees can now enrol up to two participants in the Government’s Help to Grow: Management scheme. Launched last year, the scheme delivers training and support to SMEs through a 12‐week programme covering financial management, digital technology and other areas.
Competition Law in Construction
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues to monitor anti‐competitive behaviour in construction and recently published the provisional findings of its investigation into cartel activity by 10 construction firms across 19 contracts for demolition work. Build UK firmly condemns any breach of competition law and is clear that all businesses must take steps to understand what their legal obligations are. We have published guidance explaining some of the more common violations of competition law, including cartels and cover pricing, and the potential sanctions to help businesses understand the risks.
Last Updated: 28/07/2022
Flexible Working: One Year On
Last year, Build UK in partnership with Timewise published the results of our Construction Pioneers pilot project, which proved that flexible working can be implemented on site. After further evaluation, we are delighted to publish A View One Year On which reveals the significant impact that flexible working practices have had across the companies involved ‐ BAM Construct, BAM Nuttall, Skanska UK and Willmott Dixon. All four have seen a continuing positive impact, including improved employee satisfaction and wellbeing and reduced sickness absence, with no detrimental effect on the programme or budget of projects.
Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol highlights in the latest report that the ‘overwhelmingly positive response demonstrates that the industry can make a real difference to people’s lives and tackle some longstanding issues by providing a better work‐life balance’, which will help us to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. To help more employers implement flexible working practices on their sites, our industry‐wide toolkit includes a 10‐point action plan that companies of all sizes can follow, making construction a positive career choice for everyone.
All the latest skills news can be found in our Recruit, Train and Retain update.
Price Inflation Update
The CLC Product Availability Group has issued its latest statement, confirming price inflation is expected to persist ‘across most product categories for the rest of the year’, with ongoing concerns over rising energy costs and labour shortages. Whilst general product availability is improving, gas boilers are still subject to extended lead times and transport issues continue to affect imported products.
Following the call from Build UK Chair Paul Cossell for a collaborative approach to mitigate the pressures of inflation on current and future projects, Build UK hosted a meeting of Contractor members and key Government departments last week where it was confirmed it is in everyone’s interests to keep projects moving forward. Our guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, includes advice on fluctuations clauses and negotiating contracts to take inflation into account.
Drive Out Diesel
The CLC’s CO2nstruct Zero programme has set a target to eliminate 78% of diesel plant from sites by 2035, and Build UK’s ‘Drive Out Diesel’ guide contains a range of tips to use less diesel, go alternative and use more electric plant and equipment. Whilst there are significant challenges for the industry, the removal of the red diesel rebate has provided an additional financial incentive, and there are some simple things that all businesses can start doing now to reduce their reliance on diesel on site.
IPA Annual Report
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) has published its Annual Report on Major Projects 2021‐22, which features 235 live major projects worth a total of £678 billion. Projects are ‘RAG’ rated indicating the likelihood of achieving their aims and objectives on time and on budget.
PI Insurance
With businesses across the industry continuing to find it difficult to secure Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance, Build UK’s comprehensive guide to PI insurance provides an overview of what it is, why it is needed, and how to obtain the best possible terms in the current market.
Build UK AGM ‐ Confirm Your Attendance
Members should have received their invitation to the Build UK AGM 2022 on Wednesday 21 September from 4:00pm ‐ 6:30pm at Pinsent Masons in London (EC2A 4ES). Our guest speaker will be Graeme Codrington, an author, futurist and TEDx speaker, who will lead an interactive session on what the future will mean for the world of work. We are offering the option to attend either in person or online and please confirm your attendance if you have not already done so.
The Board for 2022/23 will be announced at the AGM, and Contractor and Trade Association members are reminded to submit your vote for the appointment of the Directors by Monday 5 September.
Last Updated: 21/07/2022
Collective Response to Inflation
We have had a fantastic response to the statement from Build UK Chair Paul Cossell on the significant impact of inflation, with members across the supply chain supporting the call for a collective response to mitigate the challenges on current and future projects. We learned the value of collaboration during the pandemic and proved that we perform better when we work together, and Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, published with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP, includes advice on fluctuations clauses and negotiating new and existing contracts to take inflation into account.
The Energy Security Bill has been introduced to Parliament in the wake of rising energy prices, with the aim of delivering a more affordable and secure energy system for the long term. Offering significant opportunities for construction, the Bill includes measures to promote private investment in carbon capture usage and storage, scale up heat pump manufacturing and installation, and remove barriers to investment in future nuclear sites.
Cladding Remediation Terms Published
With 48 developers having signed the pledge to remediate fire‐safety defects in buildings over 11 metres that they have played a role in developing over the last 30 years, the Government has now published a draft contract designed to formalise the commitments they made. Setting out the terms that will apply between developers and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the draft contract will be available for comment until 10 August.
All the latest building safety news can be found in Build UK’s Grenfell update.
New CITB Plant Grants
CITB has announced new plant standards and grants, which will be introduced from January 2023 to ensure consistent requirements across the industry. There will be new standards for eight of the most used plant grants ‐ including Ride on Roller, Industrial Forklift, and Plant and Vehicle Marshaller ‐ as well as changes to the grant rates for plant training and tests. A new larger single grant will be available to all CITB‐registered employers whose employees complete plant training and testing, with a separate higher grant rate for employers who are putting employees with no prior experience through plant training
COVID‐19 Update
With the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimating that 1 in 19 people in England now have COVID‐19, businesses across all sectors are feeling the impact of staff absences. Build UK Partner Citation has produced guidance for employers on managing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID‐19, within the workplace, whilst still meeting health and safety and other legal obligations. If you or your supply chain are being adversely affected by increasing COVID‐19 rates, please email us.
Construction Fatalities
HSE has released provisional fatality statistics for 2021/22, with the construction sector recording 30 fatalities, 10 fewer than in 2020/21. Build UK is the only industry organisation to publish an annual accident survey report benchmarking the accident injury rates of its members.
CLOCS Standard
CLOCS has published version 4 of the CLOCS Standard effective from 1 August, with the two main changes around collisions and emissions data collection and reporting and fleet accreditation requirements. A list of Build UK members who are CLOCS Champions is on the Build UK website.
Open Doors & HS2
We are delighted to welcome HS2 Ltd as our latest industry partner for Open Doors 2023. With the project due to employ over 30,000 people at peak construction, we are looking forward to working with HS2 to showcase the diverse range of opportunities that the construction industry has to offer as part of #OpenDoors23!
Pipework Statement
Build UK Trade Association members BESA and TICA have issued a joint statement on the use of pre‐insulated pipework for underground and buried applications inside buildings, confirming it represents a ‘fundamental change in product application’ which takes the products outside the scope of performance standards.
Welcome to our New Members!
Build UK is delighted to welcome two new members, increasing our reach across the whole construction supply chain.
- Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) is our latest Trade Association member and represents the leading manufacturers of liquid applied waterproofing, approved contractors and related materials suppliers.
- Eurofins is a leading laboratory testing company offering over 200,000 analytical methods and support services, including a complete service for pre‐employment, random and for‐cause workplace drug and alcohol testing, and joins us as a Professional Services member.
If you know an organisation that would benefit from all the work that we are doing, then please encourage them to join us and strengthen Build UK membership even further.
Click here to view the PDA’s archive of Build UK information.