BUILD UK Updates

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

Their regular updates contain important information for our industry.

Last Updated: 04/06/2026

Industry Training Board Reform – Build UK Response

Following consultation with members across the supply chain, Build UK has developed a draft response to the Government’s consultation on merging CITB and ECITB to create a single, unified Industry Training Board (ITB) to support the skills needs of employers in the construction and engineering construction sectors across England, Scotland and Wales.

Whilst Build UK supports the principle of the ITB model, there is insufficient evidence of the benefits that would be realised from a unified ITB. The majority of members in‐scope to CITB are prepared to pay a Levy for an organisation that facilities the delivery of the diverse and competent workforce required by the industry now and in the future. However, there is significant frustration with the current operation of CITB, and members would like to see a reset of the current model and an industry‐led ITB which is accountable to Levy payers. The Build UK response sets out our expectations for a successful ITB, which we believe should be implemented regardless of whether the Government goes ahead with its proposal for a merger.

With the Government looking for the construction sector to play a major part in offering employment opportunities to young people, we have the chance to achieve the changes we have called for in recent Consensus processes, and please ensure your organisation has its say by emailing us your feedback on the draft response by next Monday 8 June.

For more skills and training news, please see our latest Recruit, Train and Retain update.

Improving Building Control

Alongside its latest progress report on implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published the report of the Building Control Independent Panel, which was set up to consider if commercial interests should be removed from building control, along with the Government response.

The report highlights the challenges facing the building control system, including conflicts of interest, capacity pressures, and inconsistent approaches to inspection, enforcement and data, which mean that the system “cannot deliver the assurance, consistency and conflict free oversight that the public deserves”. The Panel recommends creating a single regulatory system for building control, which will remove the client’s ability to select a regulator for their project. The Government response commits to undertaking further analysis of the Panel’s recommendations.

With the latest data on Gateway Two applications showing that Category A and B projects make up two‐thirds of decisions, Build UK has submitted a high‐level response to the consultation proposing amendments to the building control process for work on existing Higher‐Risk Buildings. We highlighted that building work should be categorised based on risk to building safety, rather than the location of the work within a building or its scale, and we recommended that a clear and defined list of building work classified as either Category A or Category B should be developed.

Preparing for Mandatory E‐Invoicing

The Chancellor announced in last year’s Budget that mandatory electronic invoicing will be introduced for all VAT invoices from 2029 to reduce administration and make tax compliance easier and more accurate for businesses, and Build UK and a group of members met with HMRC to discuss how the mandate will be implemented in construction.

Electronic or e‐invoicing is the direct exchange of invoice information in a digital format between suppliers’ and buyers’ accounting systems. It will become mandatory for all VAT invoices, which are typically issued for business to business (B2B) and business to Government (B2G) transactions where VAT is due, and HMRC will standardise the data that must be included in a VAT e‐invoice. The mandate will not impact the payment provisions within the Construction Act as it only changes the manner in which VAT invoices must be sent, not payment notices. The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) will also not be part of the mandate as it does not fall under the VAT Act.

There will not be a central Government platform for e‐invoicing and it will be up to the private sector to develop suitable products that meet the Government’s requirements once these have been confirmed. Build UK will continue to engage with HMRC to help members prepare for the e‐invoicing mandate when it comes into force in 2029

Countdown to InstallerSHOW

InstallerSHOW is returning in force from Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 June at the NEC, Birmingham. The event will bring together the UK’s built environment sector for three days of exhibitions, live content and networking to showcase the latest products, technologies and solutions across heat, water, air, energy and building technology.

There will be an extensive programme of seminars, including the Building Safety Forum where Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol will be presenting, and more than 900 exhibitors. New for 2026, the show will be co‐located with the Professional Woodworking Expo and the Painting and Decorating Show covering the full trade sector under one roof. Build UK members can discover new products and get the latest on industry trends to help deliver sustainable buildings on the route to net zero.

InstallerSHOW is a Build UK member and the event is free to attend, including parking and networking drinks. Members must register for tickets in advance via the InstallerSHOW website.  

New Member

We are delighted to welcome Severfield as our latest new Contractor member. As a global structural steelwork leader, Severfield designs, fabricates and erects steel structures for major construction and infrastructure projects around the world and is keen to partner with the wider supply chain through Build UK to improve delivery and shape policy on the key issues facing the industry.

Build UK AGM

The 2026 Build UK AGM will be held on Wednesday 16 September at the Institute of Directors in London, with guest speaker Andrew Davies, former Chief Executive of Kier and now Chair of Southern Water. The Board for 2026/27 will be appointed at the AGM and any Contractor or Trade Association members interested in submitting a nomination should email Build UK by Tuesday 30 June.

CMA Market Study

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a market study into rail and road infrastructure, which highlights that a short‐term and fragmented approach to procurement is driving up costs and slowing delivery. It makes a number of recommendations to Government, including publishing a strategic sector plan and mandating compliance with the Construction Playbook.

Data Complaints

Under the Data (Use and Access) Act, all companies will be required to have a process in place for handling data protection complaints from 19 June 2026. The process must include acknowledging receipt of complaints within 30 days and taking appropriate steps to respond to them. The Information Commissioner’s Office has published practical guidance to help businesses meet the new requirements.

In Case You Missed It in May…

• Build UK welcomed the introduction of the Commercial Payments Bill to Parliament, which will take forward new measures to improve payment, including a ban on retentions.
• With the rising cost of doing business impacting members across the supply chain, Build UK’s annual roundtable with the Bank of England offered a unique insight into the UK economy and the issues affecting construction.  
• Our review of Open Doors 2026 demonstrated its impact on inspiring the next generation to choose a career in construction.
• The Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority became the latest new member to join #TeamBuildUK.
• We submitted a response to the Construction Products Reform White Paper, ensuring that members’ views are reflected in plans for a more robust regulatory system for construction products.

Last Updated: 02/06/2026

Industry Training Board Reform – Build UK Response

Following consultation with members across the supply chain, Build UK has developed a draft response to the Government’s consultation on merging CITB and ECITB to create a single, unified Industry Training Board (ITB) to support the skills needs of employers in the construction and engineering construction sectors across England, Scotland and Wales.

Whilst Build UK supports the principle of the ITB model, there is insufficient evidence of the benefits that would be realised from a unified ITB. The majority of members in‐scope to CITB are prepared to pay a Levy for an organisation that facilities the delivery of the diverse and competent workforce required by the industry now and in the future. However, there is significant frustration with the current operation of CITB, and members would like to see a reset of the current model and an industry‐led ITB which is accountable to Levy payers. The Build UK response sets out our expectations for a successful ITB, which we believe should be implemented regardless of whether the Government goes ahead with its proposal for a merger.

With the Government looking for the construction sector to play a major part in offering employment opportunities to young people, we have the chance to achieve the changes we have called for in recent Consensus processes, and please ensure your organisation has its say by emailing us your feedback on the draft response by next Monday 8 June.

To improve transparency during a period of significant change, CITB has published its Business Plan for 2026/27, setting out how it will invest £257.9 million to tackle the industry’s skills challenges so that employers can ‘understand clearly what CITB is doing, why, and what it costs’.  

Construction Gender Pay Gap

A diverse workforce offers significant benefits, including better innovation, improved productivity and higher staff retention, and Build UK collates information each year on the gender gay gap (GPG) of its Contractor members to provide an overview of performance and support the work being undertaken on fairness, inclusion and respect (FIR).

Our latest report for 2025/26 shows that women were paid on average 77p for every £1 men were paid, when comparing median hourly pay. This has improved slightly from 71p in 2017/18 when companies were first required to report their GPG. In 2025/26, women represented on average 38.5% of employees in the lowest pay quartile, compared to 13.9% in the highest pay quartile, with the number of women in the highest pay quartile increasing from 7.5% in 2017/18. Although the figures are improving slightly year on year, the fact that only 15% of people employed in construction are women means that it will take time and concentrated effort to improve the sector’s GPG. Build UK will continue to support initiatives that help to drive the required changes, including clear entry points, flexible working and mentoring programmes.

From April 2026, companies can publish a voluntary action plan alongside their GPG figures, outlining the steps they are taking to reduce their GPG and support employees affected by menopause, and this will become mandatory from spring 2027. The Government has also confirmed that it will take forward legislation to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting.

Young People and Work

With new figures showing that over one million young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training (NEET), an independent report by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn analyses the drivers behind the increase in the number of NEETs, which could reach 1.25 million over the next five years, warning that “we are at risk of a lost generation”.  

The interim report explains how the current system is failing young people at a cost of £125 billion a year to the UK economy. With six in 10 NEETs having never had a job, there is a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges facing young people, including fewer entry level roles, an education system that priorities qualifications over preparation for the labour market, a rise in mental health conditions, and a welfare system that “replaces income but does not build pathways” to get people back into education, employment or training.  

The report also highlights that whilst 84% of NEETs surveyed wanted to find a job or training, taking on a young person is always a risk for an employer because they are ‘unproven’ and will require further assistance. The final report identifying potential areas for reform will be published later this year.  

Creating Futures in Construction

Open Doors Week may be over for another year, but its impact on inspiring the next generation goes on long after the event. With 81% of visitors confirming they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, we have published our review capturing the highlights of this year’s event, and thanks again to everyone who got involved.

With your support, we hosted 240 events across the UK and showcased the wide range of careers available in the industry to over 6,500 visitors between 23 and 28 March. We’re already hearing follow up stories about the opportunities that have been created for this year’s visitors, from work experience to placements and permanent roles. Members are encouraged to list all new entrant opportunities on Go Construct Careers to make it as easy as possible for young people looking for their first role in construction. To find out more about how Open Doors is proving its value as a route into the industry, please see our latest Open Doors update.

Smart Site Guide

Build UK has updated its How to be a Smart Site guide with advice on implementing the CSCS Smart Check API within existing site access systems. The guide is designed to support members to use CSCS Smart Check to ensure individuals have the correct training and qualifications for their job as part of demonstrating competence under the Building Safety Act

CITB Levy Return

CITB has issued the 2026 Levy Return which should be completed and submitted by all in‐scope employers by 30 June 2026, otherwise payment of grant claims may be withheld. Members are advised that this year’s Levy Return requires new information to be submitted on payments made to labour agencies and similar organisations, which is for research purposes only.

Managing Competence

The ICC has published ‘Setting Expectations on Competence Management’, outlining core principles for how organisations should manage the competence of those working for them, which is supported by guidance on putting the principles into practice. Members can access both documents by registering on the Built Environment Competence Hub.

Post‐16 Pathways

The Government has published an implementation plan setting out how it will deliver a reformed system of qualifications for 16 to 19‐year‐olds to provide a choice of high‐quality pathways. New construction qualifications at Level 2 (Occupational Certificates and Foundation Certificates) and Level 3 (V Levels) are planned to be rolled out in the 2028/29 academic year.

Call for Evidence on Built Environment Professions

Alongside its latest progress report on implementing the recommendations from the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Government has published a call for evidence to help inform the development of a new strategy for built environment professions, trades and occupations.

Designed to ensure there is a ‘skilled, motivated, responsible and productive workforce’ to deliver safe and high‐performing buildings, the call for evidence is focused on the systems that govern how individuals and organisations operate. It is structured in five parts, based on the core stages in the lifecycle of a building, and for each lifecycle stage, evidence is sought in relation to six key themes, including skills, knowledge, experience and capability; behaviours, conduct and culture; and accountability and personal responsibility.

Build UK will be submitting a response to the consultation by the deadline of Wednesday 12 August and would welcome views from members.

Last Updated: 21/05/2026

Creating Futures in Construction

Open Doors Week may be over for another year, but we continue to receive fantastic feedback showing that its impact on inspiring the next generation goes on long after the event! With 81% of visitors confirming they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, we are delighted to share our review capturing the highlights of this year’s event, and thanks again to everyone who got involved.

With your support, we hosted 240 events across the UK and showcased the wide range of careers available in the industry to over 6,500 visitors between 23 and 28 March. We’re already hearing follow up stories about the opportunities that have been created for this year’s visitors, from work experience to placements and permanent roles. Members are encouraged to list all new entrant opportunities on Go Construct Careers to make it as easy as possible for young people looking for their first role in construction. To find out more about how Open Doors is proving its value as a route into the industry, please see our latest Open Doors update.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Update

The Government has published its latest progress report on implementing the recommendations from the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It confirms that another nine of the 58 recommendations have been completed, making 21 in total, with all of them expected to be implemented by the end of 2029 including those that require legislation

Alongside the report, a call for evidence has been published to help inform the development of a new strategy for built environment professions, trades and occupations, designed to ensure there is a ‘skilled, motivated, responsible and productive workforce’ to deliver safe and high-performing buildings. The call for evidence, which is focused on the systems that govern how individuals and organisations operate, is structured in five parts, based on the core stages in the lifecycle of a building. For each lifecycle stage, evidence is sought in relation to six key themes, including skills, knowledge, experience and capability; behaviours, conduct and culture; and accountability and personal responsibility. The deadline to submit a response is Wednesday 12 August.

Government Sets Out Priorities

At the State Opening of Parliament last week, the King outlined the programme of legislation that the Government intends to pursue in this parliamentary session. Highlighting that the UK’s ‘economic security depends upon world class infrastructure’, this year’s King’s Speech covered 35 bills, and the key ones for businesses in construction include:

• Commercial Payments Bill – Tackling late payments by introducing new measures such as maximum payment terms of 60 days, mandatory interest on late payments, and prohibiting the withholding of retentions.
• Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill – Bringing British Steel into public ownership, subject to a public interest test, to safeguard UK steelmaking capacity.
• Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill – Improving services between the North of England’s key cities by providing the necessary powers to take forward delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail when the design has been completed.
• Highways (Financing) Bill – Unlocking greater levels of private capital investment in road infrastructure, such as the Lower Thames Crossing, through the introduction of a new Regulated Asset Base funding model.
• Remediation Bill – Speeding up the removal of unsafe cladding by introducing a new legal duty to remediate, making product manufacturers pay towards remediation, and mandating how external wall assessments are carried out
• Social Housing Renewal Bill – Increasing long-term investment in social housing by incentivising the building of new social rented homes and protecting existing stock.

The Commercial Payments Bill was introduced to Parliament this week with its first reading in the House of Lords. It sets out how existing legislation will be amended to introduce the new payment measures, including the ban on retentions. Once the section of the Bill relating to retentions comes into force, there will be a two-year transition period, during which time retentions can still be used. There will then be a ‘last retention day’ one year after that when all retention monies will become due and must be paid. The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in early 2027 and the Government has confirmed that it will consult on the timing for the section on retentions to come into force.

Bank of England Update

Build UK hosted its annual roundtable with the Bank of England last week, which offered a unique insight into the state of the UK economy and the issues affecting the construction sector and impacting the delivery of projects, including cost inflation caused by the war in Iran and the new quotas and tariffs in the Government’s Steel Strategy.

The Bank of England is currently expecting inflation, including wage inflation, to remain at 3.5% for the rest of the year. However, there is significant uncertainty due to current events, with increased fuel and energy costs expected to be felt through the supply chain in Q3. The current data indicates a modest drop in growth across the UK economy, rather than a recession, and interest rates have remained at 3.75% since December 2025. Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP, sets out how to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project, including the use of fluctuations provisions.

Client and Contractor members reported that viability of projects was a challenge, with businesses carefully selecting investment opportunities, resulting in a slowdown in workload and project starts. Certainty remains key for members of all sizes, which is essential to provide the confidence to invest in people, equipment and technology.

New Member

We are delighted to welcome the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Delivery Authority as a new Client member. Responsible for delivering the R&R Programme for the home of the UK Parliament, the Palace of Westminster, the Delivery Authority is keen to work with the whole construction supply chain to support delivery and create opportunities for skills, jobs and apprenticeships across the UK.

Net Zero Latest

In line with the expanded focus of the Seventh Carbon Budget, the CLC has refreshed its CO2nstruct Zero programme which is now based around six priorities. To support the CLC to collate and report on all the work that is being done across the industry to reduce carbon, Build UK is encouraging members to sign up as Business Champions, and the next round of applications is open until Monday 8 June.

Products Reform

Build UK submitted a high-level response to the Construction Products Reform White Paper, which called for the new General Safety Requirement to be applied to all construction products, so that users have a baseline universal understanding of the obligations of manufacturers to ensure the safety of their products regardless of their route to market.

Specialist Upskilling

ITB has launched a new Specialist Upskilling Fund which will fund up to 10 projects that help employers to develop their workforce and support the uptake of sector-specific NVQs, including concrete operations; fit out, dry lining and plastering; RMI and retrofit; and roofing. Members with relevant experience can apply for funding of up to £35,000 until Tuesday 2 June.

Implementing the Safety Helmet Colours Standard

Build UK’s Safety Helmet Colours Standard provides a consistent approach to identifying the roles of individuals on site through the colour‐coding of their safety helmets, which not only reduces duplication but contributes to a safer working environment. It is now the recognised standard for construction in the UK, and we are keen to see it reflected in images of the industry, as well as on site.

Historically, images of yellow helmets have been used to represent a typical construction worker, but these are not recognised within the standard, and we are encouraging members across the supply chain to support the continued implementation of the standard by ensuring it is reflected in marketing communications and other materials.

The Build UK update will be taking a break after the bank holiday next week, returning on Thursday 4 June with all the latest industry news. We hope you all enjoy the long weekend!

Last Updated: 20/05/2026

Creating Futures in Construction

Open Doors Week may be over for another year, but we continue to receive fantastic feedback showing that its impact on inspiring the next generation goes on long after the event! With your support, we hosted 240 events across the whole of the UK, welcoming more than 6,500 visitors between 23 and 28 March. Highlights included the Minister for Employment joining local jobseekers at Derby Flood Relief, BBC Look North going behind the scenes at Durham Academy, and Buckingham Palace, Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Dundonald International Ice Bowl opening their doors to local college students.

The feedback from students, careers advisors and those looking for a change of career has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are delighted to share our review capturing the highlights of this year’s event. An incredible 81% of attendees confirmed they were more likely to consider a career in the industry after their visit, with inspired visitors stating: “I left knowing that I want to work in construction”.
A huge thank you again to all of you who got involved – it is your hard work and support that enables us to showcase the wide range of opportunities our industry has to offer, and we can’t wait to share details for #OpenDoors27!

Recruit the Next Generation

One of the biggest successes of Open Doors is its ability to help people take the first step on their journey from education to employment in the industry, and we’re already hearing follow up stories from Build UK members and the wider industry about the opportunities they have created for this year’s visitors

From work experience to placements and permanent roles, Open Doors consistently proves its value as a route into the industry. A great example is 17-year-old Cameron from Bristol, who secured work experience following his visit to Oasis Academy, saying: “I’m currently applying for carpentry apprenticeships and to get an experience like this with a carpentry firm straight after Open Doors will really help me to stand out”.

We are directing all this year’s visitors to Go Construct, which provides a one stop shop for young people looking to join the industry. Please ensure you list all your new entrant opportunities on Go Construct Careers to avoid missing out on applicants. You can also help to reinforce the lasting impact of Open Doors by sharing case studies or testimonials from your visitors who have gone on to join the industry via [email protected]

Open Doors 2026 in Pictures 📷

Open Doors Logo

With Open Doors going from strength to strength, we have updated the logo to include the registered trademark symbol. This demonstrates that the logo is trademarked and will help to ensure Open Doors is represented consistently across the industry. If you are using the Open Doors logo, please download the new version, together with the updated brand guidelines, for use going forward.

Enhance Your Support

If your organisation is interested in playing a greater role in Open Doors off the back of this year’s success, then you may wish to consider partnering with us for #OpenDoors27. We will be announcing the dates for next year in due course, and to be involved as an Open Doors Partner from the start, please contact us via [email protected] to discuss the opportunities available.

Last Updated: 14/05/2026

Common Assessment Standard Update

The Common Assessment Standard is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it remains relevant and up to date, and this process is overseen by the Common Assessment Standard Review Group, which is currently finalising the proposed changes for Version 6 to be published later this year.

The Building Safety section has been mandatory for all companies that carry out design and building work under the Building Safety Act since the current version of the Common Assessment Standard was published on 1 July 2025. Based on feedback from both members and the Recognised Assessment Bodies, companies will have to ‘opt out’ of completing the Building Safety section and provide a statement confirming that they do not carry out work under the Act. The competence‐based questions within this section will also be moved to the Quality section, and there will be additional guidance for suppliers on completing both these and the building safety questions. Other changes will reflect updated legislation and guidance, including fraud prevention and information security.

There is a growing list of organisations across both the public and private sectors using the Common Assessment Standard to demonstrate the organisational capability of their supply chains. Once certified by a Recognised Assessment Body, a company does 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. Certified companies can use the Common Assessment Standard logo on their website and other communications, and members should contact their Recognised Assessment Body for the latest version.

How to be a Smart Site

With CSCS Smart Check recording its 60 millionth scan earlier this year, Build UK has updated its How to be a Smart Site guide with advice on implementing the CSCS Smart Check API within existing site access systems, which provides a quicker and more reliable way of verifying individuals have the right card for the job they are undertaking on site.

CSCS Smart Check is the only platform able to verify all 2.3 million cards carrying the CSCS logo, and Build UK’s guide is designed to support members to use CSCS Smart Check across their projects and supply chains as part of demonstrating competence under the Building Safety Act. As well as ensuring individuals have the correct training and qualifications, the API also offers companies real‐time insights into the skills and occupational mix of their workforce.

Members are reminded that cards are not issued for individuals carrying out non‐construction occupations, visiting site or undertaking informal work experience. However, such individuals may still be required to provide evidence that they can carry out their task safely, and a separate risk assessment and additional supervision may be required.

Continued Delays at Gateway Two

The latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for the period 9 February to 1 May 2026 shows 323 decisions were made across all  application types – new build, refurbishment and remediation – with an approval rate of 71%. However, 298 applications (48%) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period.

The BSR confirmed that there are currently 1,367 live applications, with the number of new applications (740) exceeding the number of closed applications (621) over the last 12 weeks. The Innovation Unit, which processes new build applications, made 33 decisions in this period, 73% of which were approved in an average time of 22 weeks. Twelve applications were categorised as ‘complex cases’, which are now being reported on separately, and 9 applications were deemed invalid or withdrawn.

For remediation applications, 81 decisions were made, 72% of which were approved, with 14 deemed invalid or withdrawn. However, the median approval time increased from 36 to 46 weeks, and the BSR stated that it had “successfully made decisions on older applications which have been in the system for some time” and there are now fewer than 20 legacy remediation applications made in 2024 remaining. Build UK’s guidance on Gateway Two sets out all the information that must be included within applications for both new and existing Higher‐Risk Buildings.

Scottish Bank Holiday

To mark Scotland’s participation in the FIFA World Cup this summer, the Scottish Government has announced that Monday 15 June 2026 will be a bank holiday in Scotland. The CIJC has confirmed that the Working Rule Agreement allows for eight paid bank holidays and employers may choose whether or not to recognise this additional bank holiday. Build UK Partner Citation has published guidance members may find useful.

Managing Competence

The Industry Competence Committee has published ‘Setting Expectations on Competence Management’, which sets out core principles for how organisations should manage the competence of those working for them. It is supported by guidance on putting the principles into practice developed by a cross‐industry task group. Members can access both documents by registering on the Built Environment Competence Hub.

Unfair Dismissal

Under the Employment Rights Act, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will be reduced from two years to six months from 1 January 2027. The change will be retrospective, meaning any employee with six months service by that date will qualify. Build UK Partner Wedlake Bell has published guidance on the steps that employers should be taking now to prepare.

Jobs Guarantee Pilot

As part of the Government’s ‘Youth Guarantee’, the Jobs Guarantee is now being piloted in six areas across Great Britain, offering a fully subsidised six‐month paid job to 18 to 21 year olds who have been on Universal Credit for 18 months or more. Any members interested in providing jobs for eligible young people should contact the lead Delivery Partner for the relevant area.

Environmental Update

The Government has announced that Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs) will replace Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to support planning applications by the end of 2027. EORs aim to streamline the assessment process, with a new outcomes‐based approach intended to provide clarity as to whether a project supports the delivery of environmental objectives. The Government will be developing EOR templates and guidance to make it clear what will be required to show the delivery of outcomes in an EOR.

The Government has also confirmed that a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) will apply to all applications for development consent for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) submitted on or after 2 November 2026. BNG has been mandatory for developments subject to the Town and Country Planning Act since February 2024.

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

Last Updated: 07/05/2026

Build UK Focuses on Cost of Doing Business

The rising cost of doing business is front and centre of our discussions with members, Government and other stakeholders. A combination of war in the Middle East, increases in taxes and levies, and the new Employment Rights Act and other legislation has led to significant increases in the cost of delivering construction projects, and Build UK has written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, urging the Government to maintain delivery of the Infrastructure Pipeline whilst reviewing contractual arrangements to ensure that the risk of inflation is shared appropriately.

With the latest update from the CLC’s Material Supply Chain Group revealing that the cost of building materials has already increased by around 5.1% this year, Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, sets out ways to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project which are fair and proportionate to all parties, including the use of fluctuations provisions.

Build UK has supported the CLC in calling for a delay in the introduction of new limits on tariff‐free steel imports, which could lead to cost increases of up to 40%. Build UK member, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), has highlighted that many steel products are not being manufactured, or are only available in limited quantities, in the UK, and as a result of our concerted action Ministers have committed to work with industry to identify potential solutions before the tariffs take effect from 1 July. We are also calling for a delay in the Building Safety Levy as that will further increase housing costs if implemented from 1 October as planned.

Build UK is working with the CBI to demonstrate the impact of the increased cost of doing business on employment opportunities, investment and growth across construction and the wider economy, and members across the supply chain are asked to complete this short survey by tomorrow (Friday 8 May).

Improving Payment Performance

Build UK updates its payment performance table every month with the latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations. Our tier one Contractor members are currently paying invoices in an average of 29 days, down from 45 days when the table was first launched in 2018, with 97% paid within 60 days.

New reporting requirements on retentions will take effect for the majority of the industry in July, and Build UK recently led a ‘pilot’ for Contractor members to share their results for the first quarter. As well as enabling members to test their internal data collection process, it identified a number of queries regarding the way the data should be reported, and we are working with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to ensure members report on a consistent basis. The Build UK payment performance table will be updated from the end of July to show the amounts that Contractors and Clients withhold in retentions from their suppliers.

The Government’s response to the Late Payments Consultation outlined new measures to tackle late payment, including a ban on the withholding of retentions, which are expected to be taken forward as part of a Late Payments Bill introduced in the King’s Speech next Wednesday 13 May. Build UK is working closely with DBT on the implementation of the measures, including how they interact with the Construction Act, and Fergus Harradence, DBT’s Deputy Director for Construction, Logistics, Airports & Water, will be joining a meeting of our Trade Association members on Thursday 14 May to provide an update on the next steps. 

Construction Products Reform

Thanks to those members who have shared their views on the Construction Products Reform White Paper. There is clear support for a more robust regulatory system for construction products that ensures manufacturers have clear duties for which they are held accountable and that users are provided with accurate and reliable information.

Under the current proposals, the requirements will differ depending on whether a product carries a CE or UKCA mark or is unmarked. The draft Build UK response calls for the General Safety Requirement to be applied to all products, so that users can have a baseline universal understanding of the obligations of manufacturers to produce safe products. However, we have flagged that the current plan to enact the General Safety Requirement later this year, and for it to come into force next year, is unlikely to provide sufficient time for the industry to prepare. Members are invited to review the Build UK response and submit feedback by next Wednesday 13 May. More building safety news, including the latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the Building Safety Regulator, can be found in our Building Safety update.

Enter the Building Awards 2026!

Build UK is delighted to be supporting the Building Awards again this year, and entries are open across 20 categories until Friday 22 May. The awards are a fantastic opportunity for #TeamBuildUK to showcase your achievements and the hard work and innovation of your teams over the last 12 months, and it is free to register to view the entry criteria.

Several Build UK members went home with a trophy in 2025, including Berkeley Group (Housebuilder & Housing Developer of the Year), Kier (MMC Award and Net Zero Award), Morgan Sindall (Delivering Social Value Award), Multiplex (Major Contractor of the Year and Retrofit Project of the Year), and Turner & Townsend alinea (Digital Excellence Award). Build UK Board Member, Katy Dowding (Skanska UK), was also crowned CEO of the Year!

The Building Awards 2026 will be presented on the evening of Tuesday 3 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London and tickets will go on sale shortly.

CITB Levy Return

CITB has issued the 2026 Levy Return which should be completed and submitted by all in‐scope employers by 30 June 2026, otherwise grant claims may be withheld. Members are advised that this year’s Levy Return requires new information on payments made to labour agencies and similar organisations, which is for research purposes only.

No Falls Week

A number of Build UK Trade Association members are partnering with No Falls Week from Monday 18 to Friday 22 May to promote safe working at height. Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injuries in construction, and the HSE‐backed campaign includes free resources on reducing accidents, such as toolbox talks and posters.

In Case You Missed It in April…

• Another two new members joined #TeamBuildUK, Bovis Construction (Europe) Limited and Clarion Housing Group.
• Build UK welcomed the Government’s response to the Late Payments Consultation, which builds on the progress made by members across the supply chain to improve payment performance.
• Paul Ruddick, Chair and Founder of Reds10 and Flexi‐Job Apprenticeship Agency K10, joined our Forum meeting to present the K10 apprenticeship model, as part of our plans for a national Construction Apprenticeship Network.
• We responded to the Skills England consultation on skills passports, recommending that CSCS is the model that is adopted for construction.
• Build UK published its annual accident survey report showing that tier one Contractor members had lower injury incidence rates than the wider industry.

Last Updated: 06/05/2026

Construction Products Reform – Build UK Response

Thanks to those members who shared their views on the Construction Products Reform White Paper at our Building Safety call last week. There was clear support for a more robust regulatory system for construction products that ensures manufacturers have clear duties for which they are held accountable and that users are provided with accurate and reliable information. However, there was a concern that the current proposals only address parts of the system and will not provide assurance that products are ‘safe’, particularly as the requirements of manufacturers will differ depending on whether the product carries a CE or UKCA mark or is unmarked and subject to the proposed General Safety Requirement for Construction Products.

In line with feedback from members, the draft Build UK response calls for the General Safety Requirement to be applied to all construction products, so that users can have a baseline universal understanding of the obligations of manufacturers to produce safe products. However, we have flagged that the current plan to enact the General Safety Requirement later this year, and for it to come into force next year, is unlikely to provide sufficient time for the industry to prepare. Members are invited to review the Build UK response and submit feedback by next Wednesday 13 May.

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

Building Safety Consultations

With the Government aiming to close out 70% of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry by the end of 2026, a number of consultations are currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on various aspects of the building safety regime.

• ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ Building Work – Thursday 28 May
  MHCLG has proposed amendments to the building control process for work on existing Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) to ensure that the process is proportionate.
• Conditions of Authorisation – Friday 5 June
  The BSR is consulting on the criteria that underpin Government‐authorised self‐certification scheme operators, such as Competent Person Schemes, to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
• Plan Approval Requirements – Thursday 11 June
  MHCLG aims to introduce more stringent building control requirements for new homes and work to existing dwellings below 18 metres where the Fire Safety Order applies.
• Fire Risk Assessors – Thursday 18 June
  MHCLG is seeking views on regulating the fire risk assessor profession, including defining the role and establishing mandatory competence requirements.
• Approved Document B – Wednesday 1 July
  The BSR has proposed a number of changes to the guidance on fire safety, including for external walls systems and balconies, and the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres.

Build UK is preparing responses to the consultations relevant to the majority of our members, and if you would like to contribute or provide feedback, please email us. We have also updated our Building Safety Timeline to include those consultations that will shape the building safety regime going forward, with the call for evidence on the regulation of built environment professionals expected to be published this quarter.

Latest Gateway Two Data Published

The latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the BSR for the period 9 February to 1 May 2026 shows that 323 decisions were made across all application types – new build, refurbishment and remediation – with an approval rate of 71%. However, 298 applications (48%) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period.

The BSR confirmed that there are currently 1,367 live applications, with the number of new applications (740) exceeding the number of closed applications (621) over the last 12 weeks. The Innovation Unit, which processes new build applications, made 33 decisions with an approval rate of 73% in this period. Twelve applications were categorised as ‘complex cases’, which are now being reported on separately, and 9 applications were deemed invalid or withdrawn.

For remediation applications, 81 decisions were made, 72% of which were approved, with 14 deemed invalid or withdrawn. The BSR highlighted that it had ‘successfully made decisions on older applications which have been in the system for some time’ and there are now fewer than 20 legacy remediation applications made in 2024 remaining.

Remediation Update

With the latest data on Gateway Two applications showing that the median approval time for remediation applications has risen to 46 weeks, compared to 22 weeks for new build applications, remediation is identified as a priority in the BSR strategic plan 2026/27 and its external remediation improvement plan is designed to speed up applications.

Measures outlined in the plan include establishing a new external remediation multi‐disciplinary team (MDT), which mirrors the Innovation Unit for new build applications, and using ‘Approval with Requirements’ so that projects can start while technical issues are resolved. The plan also identifies common gaps in remediation applications, including insufficient evidence of fire‐resistance properties in replacement cladding and a lack of structural loading calculations.

MHCLG has issued its latest monthly data release for remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England. By the end of March 2026, remediation works had been completed on 35% of the 4,322 buildings identified to have unsafe cladding, with work underway on a further 21%. The next data release will be published on 27 May.

Managing Competence

The Industry Competence Committee has published ‘Setting Expectations on Competence Management’, which sets out core principles for how organisations should manage the competence of those working for them. Members can access the guidance by registering on the Built Environment Competence Hub.

Building Liability Orders

The High Court has issued the second Building Liability Order (BLO) in its ruling on Crest Nicholson v Ardmore. As part of the verdict, the High Court confirmed the key principles for determining when it is ‘just and equitable’ to issue a BLO and that adjudicators can issue BLOs as part of their decisions.

PAS 2000

PAS 2000 ‐ Bringing Safe Products to Market, sponsored by the OPSS, sets out a practical framework for manufacturers to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to ensure their products are safe for their intended uses, as part of promoting a culture of safety across the construction supply chain.

Residential PEEPs

Under the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations, which came into force on 6 April 2026, Responsible Persons must implement Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in all high‐rise residential buildings and in medium‐rise buildings with an evacuation strategy.

Devolved Nations Update

Scotland – The Scottish Government has passed legislation introducing a Building Safety Levy in Scotland from 1 April 2028 to fund its remediation programme. The new Levy will apply to newly built properties, including build to rent homes and student accommodation, with exemptions for social and affordable housing and homes built on islands. To support SME developers, the Levy will not apply to the first 29 new builds a year, and the rates will be confirmed in June.

Wales – The Building (Higher‐Risk Building Procedures) (Wales) Regulations will come into force on 1 July 2026, introducing new procedural requirements for HRB work in Wales. The definition of a ‘Higher‐Risk Building’ is different to that set out in the Building Safety Act, and a building in Wales will be classified as an HRB where it is at least 18 metres in height, or at least seven storeys, and contains at least one residential unit or is a hospital, care home or children’s home. The relevant local authority will act as the building control authority, rather than there being a central building control authority such as the BSR.

Northern Ireland – The Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) came into force last year requiring the provision of suitable automatic fire suppression systems and fire safety information in certain buildings, and the Northern Ireland Executive is consulting on other measures to improve the safety of high‐rise residential buildings in Northern Ireland.

Last Updated: 30/04/2026

Navigating the Building Safety Regime

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

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

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

The Future of CITB

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

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

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

Immigration Update

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

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

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

CLC Industry Sponsors

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

Waste Crime

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

JCT Contracts

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

NDA Consultation

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

Benchmarking Accident Rates

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

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

Last Updated: 23/04/2026

A National Construction Apprenticeship Network

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

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

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

Cost of Doing Business

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

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

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

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

Changes Proposed to RIDDOR

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

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

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

Business Energy Support

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

Skills Passport Response

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

CLC Deputy Co‐Chair

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

ISO 14001 Updated

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

Building Safety Update

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

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

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

Last Updated: 16/04/2026

Build UK Continues to Grow

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

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

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

Building Safety Update

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

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

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

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

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

New Employment Rights

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

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

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

CIS Changes

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

Planning Appeals

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

Major Projects Reform

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

Build UK at UKREiiF

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

Building Safety Consultations

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

• Principles for Informed Clients – Tuesday 5 May

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

• Construction Products Reform White Paper – Wednesday 20 May

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

• General Safety Requirement for Construction Products – Wednesday 20 May

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

• ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ Building Work – Thursday 28 May

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

• Conditions of Authorisation – Friday 5 June

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

• Plan Approval Requirements – Thursday 11 June

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

• Fire Risk Assessors – Thursday 18 June

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

• Approved Document B – Wednesday 1 July

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

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

Last Updated: 02/04/2026

Improving Payment Performance

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

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

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

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

New Reforms to Payment Legislation  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Building Safety Update

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

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

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

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

Delivering New Homes

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

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

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

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

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

Open Doors Success

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

Streamlining NSIPs

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

CLC Biennial Report

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

Stress Awareness Month

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

In Case You Missed It in March…

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

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

Last Updated: 01/04/2026

Improving the Building Safety Regime

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

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

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

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

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

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

Construction Products Reform

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

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

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

Building Safety Regulator Update

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

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

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

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

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

Professional Shortages

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

BS 8214 Updated

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

CPS Criteria Review

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

Construction Adviser

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

Competence Update

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

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

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

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