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: 20/03/2025

Inspiring the Next Generation Through Open Doors

Open Doors 2025 has been a fantastic success so far, with events from high-profile construction projects to offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres giving potential new entrants an exclusive insight into what it is like to work in construction. Build UK Deputy Chief Executive Jo Fautley kicked off the week at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester where her 8-year-old son joined a group of school children for their first taste of the world of work, whilst Chair Julie White met local high school students for a tour of the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and Project Manager Tamsin Parkes was at Hounsome Fields Primary School in Basingstoke with students from a local college. A record 6,500 visitors will go behind the scenes of our industry this week and a huge thank you to all our members and partners for your support.

There are a limited number of events still available to book so please encourage anyone who may be interested to take a look at the Open Doors website. You can also help to inspire many more people online by sharing photos and videos of events on Facebook, Instagram and X, using the hashtag #OpenDoors25.

CITB Consensus Starts

The latest CITB Consensus process is now underway and Build UK, as one of 14 ‘Prescribed Organisations’, is required to formally consult its in-scope members on whether the Levy Proposals for 2026 – 2029 are necessary to provide adequate training in the industry and then submit a collective response on their behalf by the deadline of 9 May.

Build UK members that are liable to pay the CITB Levy should have received our Consensus Survey – either directly to their nominated Levy contact or via their Trade Association – asking for their views. The deadline to complete the survey is Thursday 17 April and please ensure your organisation takes this opportunity to have its say on the continuation of the Levy.

Following publication of the CITB Strategic Plan 2025-29, Build UK has updated its ‘Levy In – Skills Out’ proposal, setting out how the Levy should be used to deliver a skills system that will benefit the whole industry and not just those in scope to CITB. This proposal will form part of our response to Consensus and we would welcome feedback via email from all members by Thursday 17 April.

Building Safety Update

Philip White, Chief Inspector of Buildings and Director of Building Safety at the HSE, has published a letter on the use of BS 9991 in relation to applications for Building Control Approval, which is supported by an advisory note from the CLC. They confirm the position set out by Build UK in January and include the following transitional dates:

Planning applications made from the date of publication of the CLC advisory note on 17 March 2025 should use BS 9991:2024
Gateway Two applications where a project has previously progressed a design using BS 9991:2015 are required to state how and why the building work remains compliant with the Building Regulations
From 30 September 2026, Gateway Two applications should use BS 9991:2024.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) joined our Building Safety call last week to give an update on Gateway Two and members had the opportunity to raise their latest queries about the application process. Having pledged to clear the backlog of applications submitted up to July 2024 by the end of this financial year, the BSR committed again to working with industry to improve the process and provide more feedback to applicants. It highlighted the importance of the description of the work included within applications which serves as a ‘project summary’, and Build UK has followed up with the BSR for information on exactly what is required in order to update our overview of the validation stage. Our next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 29 April at 8:30am and your nominated Building Safety representative will receive the details directly.

Planning and Infrastructure Bill

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill contains ‘seismic reforms’ designed to speed up the delivery of 150 major infrastructure projects and 1.5 million new homes, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth. The key measures set out within the Bill are focussed on ‘getting shovels in the ground quicker’ and include:

Planning system – A new national scheme of delegation setting out which types of planning applications should be determined by officers and which should go to committee, with mandatory training for committee members. Councils will also be given powers to set their own planning fees.
Housebuilding and development – Strengthened Development Corporations to support the ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes and a new spatial development strategy system to coordinate between local authorities on major housing and infrastructure projects.
Infrastructure and energy – A faster Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime to reduce bureaucracy and ensure major transport and energy projects progress more efficiently, which will include reducing the number of legal challenges they may face. A new ‘first ready, first connected’ approach will also prioritise clean energy projects for grid connections.
Environmental and net zero commitments – A new Nature Restoration Fund to allow developers to pool contributions into a single fund to meet their environmental obligations, rather than on a project‐by‐project basis. EV charging infrastructure deployment will also be streamlined.

The Government has also confirmed that it will consult on the statutory consultee system this spring. It will seek to limit the scope of statutory consultees, reduce the type and number of applications on which they must be consulted, and remove a limited number of them from planning decisions entirely.

Electric Van Grant

The Government has extended its plug-in van grant until April 2026 to encourage further take-up of zero emission vehicles. Businesses can receive grants up to £2,500 for small vans and up to £5,000 for large vans and will no longer be required to undertake additional training to use zero emission vans.

Carbon Commitments

Build UK Client member Transport for London is one of the latest organisations to sign up to the CLC’s Five Client Carbon Commitments. These are practical steps public and private sector clients can take to reduce carbon, including eliminating the most carbon‐intensive concrete and steel products.

Silvertown Tunnel

The Silvertown Tunnel will open on 7 April 2025 to reduce congestion in and around the Blackwall Tunnel and speed up cross-river journeys at peak times. Charges will be introduced for using either the Silvertown or the Blackwall Tunnel to repay building costs and maintain and operate both tunnels.

Changes to ICO Fees

The ICO has increased its data protection fees. Micro-organisations are now required to pay £52, small and medium organisations £78, and large organisations £3,763. Members can use the ICO’s self-assessment tool to check if they need to pay the fee or register for an exemption if applicable.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Build UK has done a remarkable job in creating a space where niche sectors can not only be visible but also have their trades more widely understood and appreciated. Your dedicated efforts have undoubtedly made a significant impact on the industry. Thank you for all the hard work and commitment you’ve shown over these years.”

Marion Marsland, Chief Executive of TICA

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is one of several Build UK Trade Associations hosting events during Open Doors Week to promote their specialist trade and showcase the wide range of careers available in construction.

Last Updated: 06/03/2025

Build UK Continues to Grow

Off the back of a busy start to the year, which has seen Build UK at the forefront of key issues including building safety, payment and skills, we are delighted to welcome another three new members to #TeamBuildUK and strengthen our representation of the industry even further in our 10^th anniversary year.

Morgan Sindall becomes our latest Contractor member, with a turnover of £4 billion, delivering housing and mixed‐use partnership schemes, construction and fit out services across the UK for the public, commercial and regulated sectors.
Greystar is a fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development, and management of build to rent and purpose‐built student accommodation, which joins as a Client member.
Ibstock, a UK‐based manufacturer and supplier, is our newest Professional Services member, which has been creating products and solutions that enable a more productive and sustainable construction industry for over 200 years.

Build UK has consistently demonstrated over the last decade that it can deliver change with the whole supply chain around the same table, and if you know of any other organisations that would benefit from all the work we are doing by being in membership, then please encourage them to join us.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Response

The Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report confirms its commitment to taking forward the work required to address the recommendations and deliver a “profound change in culture and behaviour from those who develop procure, design, build and manage buildings…as well as the Government, its bodies and wider institutions”.

The recommendations include appointing a Chief Construction Adviser, who will lead the work to design the model for a single construction regulator, reviewing the definition of a Higher‐Risk Building (HRB), and introducing a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors working on HRBs. Build UK has been invited to meet with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to present the Common Assessment Standard, which is already used by over 21,000 suppliers to demonstrate organisational capability. The Common Assessment Standard is also recognised in the Construction Products Reform Green Paper, published alongside the response, which sets out proposals to reform the construction products regime. The Government confirms it will continue to support the use of the Common Assessment Standard for pre‐qualification, which “can enable firms to demonstrate the competence and capability to meet the requirements of the regulations”.

Changes in response to the recommendations will be delivered using a ‘three‐phased approach’ over the course of this Parliament. The first phase between now and 2026 will focus on delivering the current programme of regulatory reform, the second phase from 2026 to 2028 will develop proposals to deliver the recommendations, and the third phase from 2028 onwards will focus on their implementation.

CITB Strategic Plan Published

CITB has launched its Strategic Plan 2025‐29 ahead of Consensus to outline how it will help the industry to meet its skills and training needs over the next four years. CITB’s purpose is to support the industry to develop a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce now and in the future, and the Strategic Plan sets out three key objectives:

Inspire and enable diverse and skilled people into construction by increasing new entrants through materials and campaigns showcasing the industry.
Develop a training and skills system to meet current and future needs by making it simpler and more responsive and providing increased capability and capacity in construction training provision.
Support the industry to train, develop and retain its workforce by leading the development of an industry‐agreed definition of competence for every construction occupation and reviewing grant and funding incentives for employers.

The CITB Consensus process will begin on 17 March 2025 and your nominated Levy contact should have received our Consensus timeline for formally consulting Build UK members in scope to CITB on the continuation of the Levy.

CLOCS Standard

The CLOCS Standard Version 5 took effect from 1 March and members should ensure they are now complying with the changes. CLOCS is the national standard for ensuring safe construction vehicle journeys and reducing risk to vulnerable road users, and Build UK members that are CLOCS Champions are identified on the Build UK website.

NIC Report

A new report from the National Infrastructure Commission recommends eight ‘system‐wide’ reforms to the electricity distribution network in order to meet demand and support a decarbonised economy. These include digitalising the network and reforming the planning and consenting system to speed up the delivery of distribution infrastructure.

New JCT Contracts

JCT has published new editions of its Construction Management Contract, Management Building Contract, Framework Agreement, Adjudication Agreement, Project Bank Account and Dispute Adjudication Board Documentation. All JCT 2024 contracts are available via the JCT Construct subscription service, in On Demand digital form, and hardcopy.

Neonatal Care Leave

The Government has confirmed that employees will be entitled to Neonatal Care Leave as a ‘day one’ right from 6 April 2025. Parents of babies born on or after this date who are admitted to neonatal care will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of leave and statutory pay, depending on the length of time their baby is in neonatal care, on top of any other leave they may be entitled to.

BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Thank you for all the helpful guidance and support you provide on a wide range of key issues. It is always clear, concise and to the point ‐ everything we have come to expect from Build UK over the years.”

Al Beevers, Head of Health, Safety, Risk & Insurance at Related Argent

All our guidance on industry issues, including building safety, business, and people and skills, is available via the Build UK website.

Last Updated: 27/02/2025

Common Assessment Standard Updated

To coincide with the Procurement Act coming into force this week, which has introduced significant changes to public sector procurement, Build UK has published an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard to ensure that it remains relevant and up to date for use by public sector clients and their suppliers.

Version 4.1 includes minor updates to the question set and associated guidance to reflect the requirements of the Procurement Act, as well as the changes to company size thresholds from 1 April. Suppliers will be required to complete the updated question set when they next go through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard with a Recognised Assessment Body.

The new Procurement Specific Questionnaire, which has been published for use by public sector clients under the Procurement Act, confirms at paragraph 45 that the Common Assessment Standard should continue to be used for pre‐qualifying suppliers for ‘works’ contracts. It also states that where possible, public sector clients should “avoid requiring Common Assessment Standard certified suppliers to re‐input their information”, which will reduce duplication for the supply chain even further

Gateway Two Validation Stage

On receipt of each application, the BSR carries out an initial assessment to ensure that all the documents required have been submitted, which is known as the validation stage. With almost 30% of applications deemed invalid, we have summarised the documents that must be included in applications for both new and existing HRBs, as set out in the Building (Higher‐Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, to help improve the success rate. This guide is intended for Build UK members only and please do not share via websites or social media.

Gateway Two remains a significant challenge and the Prime Minister has pledged an additional £2 million to support the BSR to ‘continue improving the processing for new‐build applications’. Philip White, Chief Inspector of Buildings and Director of Building Safety at the HSE, has promised to clear the backlog of applications by the end of this financial year, although this applies only to applications submitted up to July 2024. The CLC has also established a task and finish group with a number of workstreams to work with the BSR to review the application process. More building safety news can be found in our latest Building Safety update.

A Decade of Build UK

To mark the 10^th anniversary of Build UK, Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE and Deputy Chief Executive Jo Fautley have been interviewed by Construction News to reflect on progress since Build UK brought the industry together in 2015 and “established itself as not just a leading voice, but an influential policy and practice body” in construction.

From the Safety Helmet Colours Standard published in 2016 to the recognition of the Common Assessment Standard for use under the Procurement Act earlier this year, Build UK has achieved significant progress on a range of long‐standing issues by “understand[ing] the objective, hav[ing] a really clear plan, and identify[ing] what you need people to do”. The interview highlights as an example the leading role played by Build UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which kept the industry open throughout every lockdown. Our work on payment is also recognised, which has seen Build UK’s tier one Contractor members reduce the average time taken to pay invoices from 45 to 30 days since 2018.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we will be featuring a ‘Quote of the Week’ in each Build UK update to showcase the value of membership. If you or your organisation would like to be included, please email us a quote of no more than 50 words explaining the benefit you get from being a member of Build UK.

Apprenticeships Update

With a new CITB report revealing that around three times the number of apprenticeship starts in construction are needed to keep pace with demand in the sector, the Government has announced a number of reforms to apprenticeships in England to help boost numbers by a further 10,000 a year and meet its targets in key areas such as housebuilding.

With immediate effect, apprentices who begin their training when aged 19 or over will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to achieve level 2 qualifications in English and maths. From August 2025, the minimum duration required for an apprenticeship will be reduced from 12 to eight months, with Skills England to prioritise which apprenticeships will be shortened based on key shortage occupations. We are awaiting further details on how these changes align with the industry’s competence frameworks and will be applied to construction‐related apprenticeships.

A reminder that employers do not pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under the age of 25 and earning less than £50,270, and CITB’s New Entrant Support Team is available to help with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices.

Grenfell Response

The Government has issued its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, which confirms the Government accepts all the Inquiry’s findings and is committed to delivering a ‘strong response’ to the recommendations. The changes will be delivered using a ‘three‐phased approach’ over the course of this Parliament to deliver ‘meaningful change as quickly as possible’.

CLC Sector Calls

The CLC holds quarterly calls to update the industry on the work it is doing and the first one of 2025 will take place next Wednesday 5 March at 11:00am. Co-Chair Mark Reynolds will chair the call, which will cover the latest on building safety and the Government’s infrastructure pipeline, and members interested in attending should register in advance to receive the details

Construction Champion

Mike Reader MP has been appointed by the Government as the new Business Champion for Construction. He will be hosting a series of roundtable events to hear the industry’s views on Government policy, and we have highlighted Build UK’s 5 Ps to Power up Construction as key to supporting the delivery of homes and infrastructure and driving economic growth across the UK.

New NHP Framework

The New Hospital Programme (NHP) has launched the procurement process for its Hospital 2.0 Alliance Framework, which will be used by NHS Trusts across the country for the design, construction and handover of new hospital schemes. Any members interested in applying for a place on the £37 billion framework can find out more in the contract notice and the deadline is 19 March.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Ten years ago, the case for Main and Specialist Contractors to work together was compelling and I’m proud that we made it happen by creating Build UK. We have been able to address some long‐standing issues over the last decade and demonstrate the value of construction to the economy and local communities across the UK.”

Kevin Louch, Managing Director of Stanford Industrial Concrete Flooring and joint first Chair of Build UK
Find out more about how Build UK has transformed construction over the last decade in our 10 Achievements for #BuildUK10.

Last Updated: 26/02/2025

Validation of Applications for Building Control Approval

Following a meeting between Client and Professional Services members involved in the development of Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), Build UK has produced an overview of the validation stage at Gateway Two and the documents that must be included within an application for Building Control Approval to the BSR.

On receipt of each application, the BSR carries out an initial assessment to ensure that all the documents required have been submitted, which is known as the validation stage. With almost 30% of applications deemed invalid, we have summarised the documents that must be included in applications for both new and existing HRBs, as set out in the Building (Higher‐Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, to help improve the success rate. This guide is intended for Build UK members only and please do not share via websites or social media.

Gateway Two remains a significant challenge and the Prime Minister has pledged an additional £2 million to support the BSR to ‘continue improving the processing for new‐build applications’. Philip White, Chief Inspector of Buildings and Director of Building Safety at the HSE, has promised to clear the backlog of applications by the end of this financial year, although this applies only to applications submitted up to July 2024. The CLC has also established a task and finish group with a number of workstreams to work with the BSR to review the application process.

Review of Approved Documents

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the ‘Approved Documents’, which provide practical guidance on complying with the requirements of the Building Regulations, and it recently launched a call for evidence on Approved Document A, which supports Part A (Structural Safety) of the Regulations.

The call for evidence is seeking views on which areas of Approved Document A require further clarity or updating. The deadline for responses is Monday 21 April and the BSR will then consult in detail on any proposed changes and how they will be implemented.

As part of plans to speed up the remediation of unsafe cladding announced at the end of last year, the Government also committed to a ‘fundamental review’ of the 19 Approved Documents in response to concerns that they are overly complex and difficult to use. The BSR is carrying out research to understand how the Approved Documents are used with the aim of simplifying the guidance and making compliance easier, and it would welcome input from Build UK members. The BSR and its research company, Verian, has provided further information, and anyone interested in taking part should email [email protected].

Cladding Remediation Update

The HSE has announced that it is a setting up a Remediation Enforcement Unit within the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to ensure that owners of registered Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) with combustible ACM and HPL cladding are held to account for their remediation. The new Remediation Enforcement Unit should be up and running by the summer.

Build UK hosted a meeting last month for members involved in the remediation of unsafe cladding to consider the Government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan. The challenges for contractors in funding and undertaking remediation works were discussed, including the affordability of schemes, the capacity and consistency of fire engineering expertise, and the availability of Professional Indemnity Insurance, all of which could have a significant impact on the industry’s ability to meet the Government’s targets for homes and infrastructure. A follow up meeting with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will now take place to review the various cladding remediation programmes and the issues facing members.

The latest data release from MHCLG covering all the remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England shows remediation works had been completed on 29% of the 5,025 buildings identified up to the end of January 2025, with work underway on a further 18%. There are currently 514 buildings 18 metres and over with unsafe ACM cladding and remediation works have now been fully completed on 82%. The next data release will be published on 20 March.

Building Safety Calls

Build UK continues to hold regular Building Safety calls for members and the BSR Insight Team joined our first one of the year to provide an update on the work being undertaken to create a consistent Culture Framework to drive positive building safety culture in construction. The next call will take place on Tuesday 11 March from 8:30am ‐ 9:30am and your nominated Building Safety representative should have received the details directly.

BS 9991 ‐ Fire Safety

Common Assessment Standard Updated

To coincide with the Procurement Act coming into force this week, Build UK has published an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard, which can be used to demonstrate organisational capability under the Building Safety Act, to ensure that it remains relevant and up to date for use by public sector clients and their suppliers.

Building Assessment Certificate Criteria

The BSR has published criteria for assessing applications for a Building Assessment Certificate. The criteria are designed to ensure consistency when reviewing applications and cover all the information a Principal Accountable Person needs to provide for the building, including the Safety Case Report and Mandatory Occurrence Reporting system.

Devolved Nations Update

Scotland ‐ The Scottish Government has published the standards for Single Building Assessments (SBAs), which set out the process that must be followed when undertaking assessment and remediation of buildings. Where assessments have been carried out on buildings prior to the publication of these standards, a new SBA must be carried out.

Wales ‐ The Welsh Government has published its response to the consultation on amendments to Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations, which confirms that restrictions will be introduced on the use of combustible materials on buildings over 11 metres and there will be new requirements for Secure Information Boxes and wayfinding signage for fire and rescue services in all new blocks of flats with a storey 11 metres or more above ground level.
Northern Ireland ‐ Following a Freedom of Information request, the Department for Communities has provided a list of all residential buildings in Northern Ireland that have unsafe cladding, which includes the type of cladding on the building and whether any remediation works have taken place or are in progress.

Last Updated: 13/02/2025

10 Achievements for #BuildUK10

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Build UK and we are taking the opportunity to celebrate our achievements to date and focus on those areas where we are making a real difference across the industry. Since bringing Main and Specialist Contractors together in 2015, Build UK has grown significantly and now represents the whole construction supply chain. By providing a strong collective voice for the sector over the last decade, we have been able to navigate a wide range of challenges, including the COVID‐19 pandemic, and deliver fundamental change on key issues, such as payment, pre‐qualification and skills.

We are delighted to publish our top 10 Achievements for #BuildUK10 showing how we have transformed the industry with your support. From our benchmarking of payment performance to championing industry card schemes, we have demonstrated what we can achieve by working collectively across the whole supply chain. Construction is now at the heart of the Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and we are ideally placed to power up construction and deliver the homes and infrastructure the country needs over the next 10 years and beyond.

Reflecting on our 10^th anniversary, Sir James Wates CBE, Director of Wates Group and joint first Chair of Build UK, said:

“Over the last 10 years, Build UK has brought a wide spectrum of the construction industry into its embrace and now speaks with a very strong voice on behalf of the sector. I’m proud of the journey we started in 2015 and everything we have achieved since then.”

Countdown to Open Doors 2025

There is just over a month to go until Open Doors 2025 which will see more than 220 construction sites and workplaces across the UK taking young people and those looking for a change of career behind the scenes from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March to showcase the wide range of opportunities available in the construction sector.

We know from feedback that Open Doors visits lead directly to people joining our industry, and everyone can help by promoting events in their local area and reaching out to schools, colleges and universities so they can see construction in action. With the industry needing to recruit an additional 50,000 new entrants each year, what can you do to support events and inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction!

Further information on how you can get involved can be found in our latest Open Doors update, and your comms teams can help to promote events on social media using the hashtag #OpenDoors25.

Infrastructure Investment

As part of its Plan for Change, the Government has announced further measures to speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure projects across the UK, with the Prime Minister promising to “back the builders of this nation and say no to the blockers” as part of his mission to kickstart economic growth. The latest measures include:

£2.65 billion in funding over the next two years to build or maintain up to 1,000 flood defences, protecting more than 66,000 properties.
£90 million of funding to upgrade four major road schemes in England: A350 Chippenham Bypass in Wiltshire, A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds, South East Aylesbury Link Road in Buckinghamshire, and A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange in Essex.
Reform of planning rules to allow smaller nuclear power plants to be built for the first time in the UK.
Launch of a consultation on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector, which would include offering landlords a choice over how to meet the standards and a maximum energy efficiency investment cap of £15,000 per property.

The Government has published a working paper detailing the principles and objectives for its 10‐year infrastructure strategy, which will be published in June and set out a long‐term plan for the country’s economic, social and housing infrastructure, and members can provide feedback via email.

Inheritance Tax Changes

Build UK is supporting the campaign by Family Business UK which is calling on the Chancellor to reconsider the changes to inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget, and we would encourage affected members to complete a short survey to help demonstrate the significant impact of the changes on businesses and the wider economy.

With an estimated 4.8 million family‐owned businesses in the UK, the changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief will affect businesses across the country and starve the economy of investment. 81% of construction SMEs are family‐run and by working with Family Business UK we can demonstrate the significant economic contributions that these businesses make and how the changes will not provide the expected tax revenue. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete, and the deadline for responses is 2 March.

#NAW2025 Success

It has been great to see so many members showcasing apprenticeships as part of National Apprenticeship Week this week, including HS2, Sunbelt and TClarke who have all announced new apprenticeship opportunities; Laing O’Rourke and Wates who are hosting events to support applicants; and BESA and William Hare who are sharing case studies. It’s not too late to get involved between now and Sunday!

Routes of Entry

Following the recent changes to CSCS cards and withdrawal of the Onsite Construction T Level, Build UK has updated its guides setting out the most common routes of entry into the industry for young people leaving school in England and Scotland, designed to help identify which is the most appropriate for them. More skills and training news can be found in our latest Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent update.

BSR Webinars

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is hosting a series of webinars to provide practical guidance on a range of topics, including Building Assessment Certificates and large‐scale works on Higher‐Risk Buildings. Places are limited and members interested in attending should register as soon as possible.

Accident Survey

Build UK has published its annual accident survey report for the period 1 April 2023 ‐ 31 March 2024, which shows that Contractor members have lower incidence rates for fatal, specified and over 7‐day injuries than the wider industry. Build UK is the only organisation that collates this data for tier one contractors in construction.

Build UK Networking Event ‐ Join Us!

As part of Build UK’s 10^th anniversary celebrations, we are hosting our next networking event on Wednesday 26 March from 6:30pm at the electrifying Hijingo in Shoreditch, London. Sponsored by the Hire Association Europe (HAE) and the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), Hijingo is bingo like you have never experienced before, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, with the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes!

If you would like the chance to network with your fellow members in a unique location, please email us to confirm your place.

The Build UK update will be taking a break for half term next week and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 27 February with all the latest industry news.

Last Updated: 11/02/2025

Celebrate Your Apprentices!

This week is National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2025 and we are encouraging all members to help showcase the benefits of apprenticeships in construction between now and Sunday. NAW 2025 has the theme ‘Skills for Life’ focusing on how apprenticeships can help employers develop a workforce with future‐ready skills, whilst setting up individuals for a rewarding career. It’s not too late to get involved and with just over a month to go until Open Doors Week there are a number of simple things you can do to highlight construction apprenticeships:

Celebrate your apprentices ‐ Put your apprentices front and centre of your business and on social media this week using the hashtag #NAW2025 and showcase the career journeys of employees who started as apprentices.
Promote your apprenticeship vacancies ‐ List all your apprenticeship opportunities on Talentview Construction and make it easier for young people to join our industry.
Get involved in Open Doors ‐ Promote your Open Doors events as a unique way for people to learn more about what it is like to work in the industry and the opportunities available.

For any CITB‐registered members who are looking for support with apprenticeships, CITB’s New Entrant Support Team is available to help with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices, and further information can be found in its Employer Support Welcome Pack.

ITB Review and Consensus

The Government has published the Industry Training Board (ITB) Review undertaken by Mark Farmer in 2023 together with its response to the recommendations. The review, which assessed the effectiveness and performance of both the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), makes 17 strategic recommendations.

The review confirms the need for an ‘external intervention’ into the workforce development activities of the sector and recommends that the ITB model should be retained but with ‘wholesale transformation’. It also recommends that CITB and ECITB should be merged into a single new body, but whilst the Government recognises there are ‘significant benefits to greater alignment and collaboration across the two ITBs’, ‘further scoping’ is required in terms of how this should be taken forward.

CITB has confirmed that its Strategic Plan will be published shortly and Consensus will start on 17 March. Build UK will be formally consulting its in‐scope members on the continuation of the CITB Levy and the nominated Levy contact for each member should have received our Consensus timeline.

Changes to CSCS Cards

Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, which requires individuals to be competent to undertake their roles, CSCS has made changes to the Labourer and Trainee cards from 1 February to “better align with the competency expectations of the Act” and encourage more new entrants to start on a ‘Red’ card with a recognised training pathway.

Labourer card ‐ The initial validity will be reduced from five to two years and only operatives who continue in a labouring role will be able to renew their card for five years by providing evidence they are employed as a labourer. The accompanying CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test will also have its validity extended to three years so any operatives who do continue in a labouring role can use it to renew their card.
Trainee card ‐ In order to provide a simplified route into the industry for new entrants with prior training, individuals who have attained an approved Level 2 (or above) occupation related non‐competence qualification will be eligible for a two‐year Trainee card. More information on the routes to a Trainee card can be found in this flowchart.

All CSCS cards obtained via Industry Accreditation have now expired and the CITB funding available to support individuals who require a qualification to move onto the appropriate card has been extended until 31 March 2026.

Routes of Entry

Following the changes to CSCS cards and withdrawal of the Onsite Construction T Level, Build UK has updated its guides setting out the most common routes of entry into the industry for young people leaving school in England and Scotland. They are designed to help members looking to offer opportunities to young people identify which routes will work best for them.

CITB Funding

CITB is offering fully‐funded ‘Future Skills’ training, including Leadership and Management, Digital, and Net Zero and Green skills, to help develop the skills the industry will need in the future. The training is available to all CITB‐registered employers and must be completed by 31 March 2025 to qualify for full funding. To find out more, contact your local Employer Network.

CSCS Annual Review

CSCS has published its Annual Review 2024 which sets out the key achievements of the last 12 months, including a new group structure and the updated CLC recommendation on industry card schemes, as well as priorities for 2025 focused on supporting the industry to meet the competence requirements of the Building Safety Act.

Promoting Construction

A campaign to attract new entrants and promote training opportunities in the housebuilding sector will run from Monday 3 ‐ Friday 21 March, supported by key Government departments, including Open Doors Partner DWP. DWP is hosting a webinar this Thursday 13 February from 10:00am – 11:00am and please register to find out more.

Open Doors 2025 – Get Involved

The countdown is on to Open Doors 2025 which will see more than 220 events across the UK take people behind the scenes of construction from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March. The latest data from CITB shows that the industry needs to recruit an additional 50,000 new entrants each year to maintain output, and we know from feedback that Open Doors visits lead directly to people joining our sector.

Everyone can help by promoting events in their local area and reaching out to schools, colleges and universities so they can see construction in action and the wide range of opportunities available. Further information on how you can get involved can be found in our recent Open Doors update, and your comms teams can help to promote events on social media using the hashtag #OpenDoors25.

Last updated: 06/02/2025

Members Maintain Payment Performance

The latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations show that Build UK members have maintained their payment performance over the last six months. Our tier one Contractor members took an average of 30 days to pay invoices, with all of them averaging less than 45 days, which will be the requirement for new Government contracts over £5 million from 1 October 2025. On average, Contractor members paid 96% of invoices within 60 days, up from 82% when Build UK first started publishing this information in 2018.

With new metrics on value of invoices paid and disputed invoices to be reported on for the first time in July, Build UK is still the only trade organisation benchmarking payment performance. Our table shows the results for more than 120 of the industry’s largest companies to provide a consistent picture of payment practices across the sector.

Common Assessment Standard

To coincide with the Procurement Act coming into force on 24 February 2025, which will introduce significant changes to public sector procurement, Build UK will be publishing an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard to ensure that it remains relevant and up to date for use by public sector clients and their suppliers.

Version 4.1 will include minor updates to the question set and associated guidance to reflect the requirements of the Procurement Act, as well as the changes to company size thresholds from 1 April 2025. Suppliers will be required to answer the updated question set when they go through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard after 24 February.

The Welsh Government has published WPPN 001 which states that Welsh authorities should use the Common Assessment Standard for works contracts from 24 February. The WPPN highlights the benefits of adopting the Common Assessment Standard in Wales, including improving efficiency and saving suppliers time and money through use of a common question set.

Navigating the Building Safety Regime

Thanks to all those members who attended our first Building Safety call of the year last week where we were joined by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Insight Team for an update on the work they are undertaking to create a consistent Culture Framework and ‘guide for change’ to drive positive building safety culture in construction.

We also discussed the significant challenges with Gateway Two, which have seen just 15% of applications for Building Control Approval for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) approved to date. At a recent meeting with the BSR, Build UK Client and Professional Services members involved in the development of HRBs outlined their concerns, including a lack of information on the appropriate level of detail to be included in applications and limited communication regarding progress, and suggested ways in which the process could be improved. To help reduce the number of applications that are deemed ‘invalid’, Build UK is working with the BSR to provide information on what is required for an application to be validated.

ITB Review Published

The Government has published the Industry Training Board (ITB) Review undertaken by Mark Farmer together with its response to the recommendations. The review recommends that the ITB model is retained but with ‘wholesale transformation’ including that CITB and ECITB become a single new body. CITB has confirmed that its Strategic Plan will be published shortly and Consensus will start on 17 March.

#NAW2025

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 will take place from next Monday 10 ‐ Sunday 16 February to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships. Build UK is encouraging all members to get involved by celebrating your apprentices on social media, listing your apprenticeship vacancies on Talentview Construction, and promoting Open Doors as a way for people to find out about the opportunities in construction.

Insulation Issue

TrustMark has suspended 39 companies from installing solid wall insulation (SWI) after uncovering substandard work during routine checks. The SWI was fitted under two Government schemes since 2022, and the Government has demanded that installers fund any repair work required, which will be overseen by Ofgem.

Immigration Fees

The Government has laid new legislation which if approved by Parliament will increase the fees for various immigration products and services. The cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship, which is assigned by a company with a Sponsor Licence to each worker from outside the UK that it employs, is due to increase from £239 to £525.

Build UK Board

We are delighted to announce that Callum Tuckett, Managing Director of Multiplex in the UK, has been appointed as a Contractor Director on the Build UK Board. Over his 33‐year career in the construction sector, he has gained extensive experience of delivering large scale complex projects and now has a strong desire to support positive change in the industry. Callum replaces Fabienne Viala, who is stepping down from her role at Bouygues UK, and full details of the Board can be found on the Build UK website.

Congratulations to Build UK Chair Julie White who won the Construction Businesswoman of the Year at the Great British Businesswoman Awards last week! The award recognised Julie’s role in changing the face of construction and showing that misconceptions around the industry are a thing of the past, as well as her track record in leading a business that is delivering demonstrable results.

Lat Updated: 30/01/2025

Going ‘Further and Faster’ to Get Britain Building

The Government has announced its priorities for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will be introduced in the spring to speed up 150 major infrastructure projects and support the delivery of 1.5 million new homes over this Parliament. As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, the Chancellor has committed to the ‘smooth, speedy and rapid delivery’ of the Bill, which is key to reforming the planning system and kickstarting economic growth.

The default answer to the development of acceptable types of schemes in key areas ‐ for example near commuter transport hubs ‐ will be ‘yes’. The current system of environmental impact assessments will also be replaced with Environmental Outcome Reports to reduce costs and delays.
With over half of all decisions on major infrastructure taken to court, there will be just one attempt at judicial review in most cases, rather than three, and where a judge in an oral hearing at the High Court deems the case ‘Totally Without Merit’, it will not be possible to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider the verdict.
A Nature Restoration Fund will be established, allowing developers to pool contributions into a single fund to meet their environmental obligations, rather than on a project‐by‐project basis.

The Government has also published a working paper setting out the principles and objectives for its 10‐year infrastructure strategy, which for the first time aims to bring together a long‐term plan for the country’s economic, social and housing infrastructure. It includes a commitment to produce an infrastructure pipeline in order to give industry a ‘clear sense’ of the Government’s priorities and support investment. Decisions have already been made on a number of significant projects, including airports, data centres, energy farms and housing developments, and the Chancellor has now confirmed the Government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow and the regeneration of the Old Trafford area in Manchester.

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE joined an ICE roundtable with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury earlier this week to discuss what should be included in the infrastructure strategy, which will be published alongside the Spending Review in June, and members can provide feedback via email.

Changes to CSCS Cards

Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, which requires individuals to be competent to undertake their roles, CSCS is making changes to the Labourer and Trainees card from 1 February to “better align with the competency expectations of the Act” and encourage more new entrants to start on a ‘Red’ card with a recognised training pathway.

Labourer card ‐ The initial validity will be reduced from five to two years and only operatives who continue in a labouring role will be able to renew their card for five years by providing evidence they are employed as a labourer. The accompanying CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test will also have its validity extended to three years so any operatives who do continue in a labouring role can use it to renew their card.
Trainee card ‐ In order to provide a simplified route into the industry for new entrants with prior training, individuals who have attained an approved Level 2 (or above) occupation related non‐competence qualification will be eligible for a two‐year Trainee card. More information on the routes to a Trainee card can be found in this flowchart.

Reporting on Retentions

Legislation to amend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations to introduce new reporting requirements on retentions has now been approved by Parliament, and large companies will be required to include the following information on retentions as part of the payment reports they submit every six months:

A series of statements confirming whether retention clauses are used and if so whether there are any standard terms
A description of the process for release of retention
A sum showing the overall value of retentions held by the company from its suppliers as a percentage of that held by its clients
A sum showing the total retention held from the company’s suppliers as a percentage of all money paid to suppliers.

These amendments to the Regulations will apply to each financial year of a company beginning on or after 1 April 2025, which means that for companies with a financial year beginning on 1 January, their first reports containing the new metrics will be for the period 1 ‐ 30 June 2026 and need to be submitted by 30 July 2026.

During the Parliamentary process, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports Gareth Thomas highlighted Build UK’s payment performance table saying: “Its work shows a significant improvement in terms of payment, and we hope a similar level of improvement will be achieved by the requirements in this [Statutory Instrument]”. We are currently working with the Department for Business and Trade to update the guidance to the Regulations which is expected to be published in March.

Competition Law in Construction

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues to monitor anti‐competitive behaviour in construction and recently launched an investigation into potential bid rigging by several companies providing roofing and construction services. It has also extended its investigation into whether seven housebuilders exchanged competitively sensitive information.

Build UK has updated its guidance on preventing anti‐competitive behaviour in construction, with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP. It explains the most common violations of competition law, such as cartel activities and cover pricing, and includes a number of previous CMA investigations into the industry. It is designed to help businesses and directors comply with their legal obligations by outlining the risks and the steps they should take.

Vehicles at Work

According to the latest statistics published by the HSE, vehicles continue to be one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries at work, accounting for 14% of fatalities in construction in 2023/24, and the HSE is encouraging businesses to review its guidance on how to reduce the risk of accidents and keep workers safe.

Insurance Payments

MHCLG has launched a consultation on amending the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act to ban payments made to freeholders and property managing agents for arranging insurance‐related services for leaseholders, in order to ensure they are charged in a fair and transparent way. The deadline for responses is 24 February.

New Hospital Programme Update

The Government has announced a ‘credible plan and timeline’ to deliver all the projects within the New Hospital Programme (NHP) following a review last year. The ‘biggest hospital building programme in a generation’ will now be delivered in three five‐year waves by 2039, in order to ensure there is a ‘balanced portfolio of hospital schemes at different development stages’. The new implementation plan will be backed with investment averaging around £3 billion a year from 2030.
NHP is a member of Build UK and this announcement represents a committed pipeline of work, which should give industry the certainty it needs to prepare. NHP will be launching a series of events called ‘NHP Bitesize’ to help businesses get involved in the programme, and members can sign up to receive regular updates from the NHP.

Last Updated: 23/01/2025

National Apprenticeship Week – Get Involved!

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2025 will run from Monday 10 ‐ Sunday 16 February to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships. Taking place in the run up to Open Doors Week, NAW 2025 will have the theme ‘Skills for Life’ focusing on how apprenticeships can help employers develop a workforce with future‐ready skills, whilst setting up individuals for a rewarding career. Build UK is encouraging all members to get involved and there are a number of simple things you can do to highlight apprenticeships in construction:

Celebrate your apprentices ‐ Put your apprentices front and centre of your business and on social media using the hashtag #NAW2025 and showcase the career journeys of employees who started as apprentices.
Promote your apprenticeship vacancies ‐ List all your apprenticeship opportunities on Talentview Construction and make it easier for young people to join our industry.
Get involved in Open Doors ‐ Promote your Open Doors events as a unique way for people to learn more about what it is like to work in the industry and the opportunities available.

Common Assessment Standard

Crown Commercial Service has confirmed that suppliers applying to its new Construction Works and Associated Services Framework, worth up to £80 billion, must be certified to the Common Assessment Standard developed by Build UK. The framework will run from October 2026 until October 2034, and the contract notice is now available.

With a growing list of organisations across both the public and private sectors using the Common Assessment Standard, members of the supply chain only need to obtain certification once from any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. Companies keen to see a reduction in the bureaucracy of pre‐qualification should review the different certifications they hold to see if they have the Common Assessment Standard from more than one Recognised Assessment Body and whether that is required for any reason.

Building Control Approval

Following a Freedom of Information request by a Build UK member, the HSE has confirmed that the Building Safety Regulator has received 1,427 applications for Building Control Approval for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), of which 214 have been approved (15%), 683 are pending approval (48%), and 530 were invalid, rejected or withdrawn (37%).

86% of the applications received were for existing HRBs, with 16% approved and 40% invalid, rejected or withdrawn. Only 9% of the applications received were for new HRBs and just 7% of these have been approved, with 70% still pending approval. It was also confirmed that the applications which were approved took an average of 17 weeks for existing HRBs and 14 weeks for new HRBs.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Whilst technology is integral to the modern workplace, many employees lack the skills to participate fully in the digital world, which can limit their opportunities. Digital inclusion is essential for success, and Build UK Partner People’s Partnership is encouraging construction businesses to ensure employees have the necessary devices and skills.

Businesses can also partner with initiatives such as the Good Things Foundation, which helps people gain key digital skills, and People’s Partnership has donated hundreds of laptops to its National Device Bank, with plans to donate a further 100 this year. By investing in digital skills training for employees and the wider community, employers can increase productivity, foster a culture of mentorship to help others gain confidence, and strengthen their environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. Further information about People’s Partnership and how it could support your employees can be found on the People’s Partnership website.

New Member

Build UK is delighted to welcome the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) as our latest Client member. DIO is the estate expert for defence, supporting the armed forces to enable military capability by planning, building and maintaining infrastructure, and it has a significant and diverse programme of work to be delivered in the coming years.

Open Doors 2025

There has been a fantastic response since booking for #OpenDoors25 opened last week, with more than 2,000 visitors already booked onto events across the UK. 40% of events are already fully booked and it’s not too late to register your sites and other workplaces to help us showcase careers in construction from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March.

Zero Carbon Buildings

Build UK members are encouraged to use the pilot version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, which for the first time provides a consistent way of assessing whether buildings are ‘net zero carbon’. The free standard covers topics such as upfront carbon, operational energy use and avoidance of fossil fuels, and there is a form to submit feedback.

Failure to Prevent Fraud

The new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence will come into force on 1 September 2025, and Pinsent Masons has published a useful article for large companies operating in construction, which may be perceived as facing a higher risk in relation to fraud. It aims to help companies prepare by ensuring they have robust compliance procedures in place.

Build UK Chief Executive Receives OBE

Congratulations to Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol who received her OBE from the Princess Royal in a ceremony at Windsor Castle last week! Having worked in construction for more than 30 years, she was awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for services to the construction industry.

Suzannah was delighted to collect her award in Build UK’s 10th anniversary year, after bringing the industry together within one organisation in 2015 to provide a strong collective voice for the sector

Last Updated: 16/01/2025

Open Doors 2025 – Promote Your Events!

Recruiting the next generation is a priority if we are to maintain the pipeline of talent coming into the industry, and one of the best ways to showcase what construction has to offer is to get involved with Open Doors. Booking for visitors is now open, and there are already more than 180 events registered to take place across the UK from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March. With major projects like the expansion of the North Stand at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, the refurbishment of the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, and the development of the Hamilton Dock Hotel within the Titanic Quarter in Belfast opening their doors, we are seeing huge interest from potential visitors, so if you or your organisation is yet to get involved, what are you waiting for!

It’s not too late to register your remaining sites, offices, and manufacturing and training facilities and start promoting them in the local area. Please reach out to schools and colleges, who can book group visits for their students, as well as local community groups supporting new entrants into the industry, to help us show there is a career in construction for everyone. Further information on how you can get involved can be found in our latest Open Doors update.

Improving Infrastructure Delivery

Thanks to all those members who joined our first Forum meeting of the year this week, where Chris Durham, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), looked ahead to publication of the 10‐year infrastructure strategy this spring as the Government seeks to deliver on its plans to ‘Get Britain Building’.

Chris highlighted the key issues preventing the consistent delivery of major infrastructure projects on time and budget, as set out in the NIC report, Cost Drivers of Major Infrastructure Projects in the UK, published last year. The Government has clearly identified the delivery of homes and infrastructure as key to its mission of sustained economic growth, and the new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), which will combine the functions of the NIC and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority within one organisation later this year, will need to ‘think differently’ to overcome the existing challenges. With the Government having set out its ambition, it is expected that the 10‐year infrastructure strategy will be supported by a pipeline of projects, which we identified as one of the 5 Ps to Power Up Construction.

The next Forum meeting for all members will take place on Tuesday 1 April from 8:30am ‐ 9:30am, and details of all other Build UK meetings can be found in our schedule of meetings and events.

Increased Payment Requirements

The Government has published PPN 018 which enhances the requirements for prompt payment on public sector contracts. From 1 October 2025, businesses bidding for Government work above £5 million per annum must demonstrate that they pay their suppliers within an average of 45 days, down from the current requirement of 55 days.

All Build UK tier one Contractor members currently have average payment terms of less than 45 days and so already meet the new requirement. The requirement to pay at least 95% of invoices within 60 days (90% if an action plan is provided) will remain unchanged.

New reporting requirements on value of invoices paid and disputed invoices have now come into effect under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations. To ensure consistency with the existing requirement for number of invoices paid, Build UK understands that the data on value of invoices paid will be displayed as percentages, rather than ‘sums’, in the Government portal. For companies with a financial year starting on 1 January, their first reports containing the new metrics will need to be submitted by 30 July 2025 and Build UK’s payment performance table will be updated accordingly.

Building Safety Update

The publication of BS 9991:2024 ‐ Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings ‐ at the end of last year has created some confusion for those preparing and submitting applications for Building Control Approval because it does not reference the transitional arrangements for amendments to Approved Document B.

Applications for Building Control Approval are assessed against the functional requirements of the Building Regulations, which have not changed, and the previous BS 9991:2015 is still included in the list of relevant standards in Approved Document B. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has confirmed to Build UK that until further notice applications for Higher‐Risk Buildings can refer to BS 9991:2015 and/or 2024 as the guidance or standard used to support designs, and more information can be found in this Build UK statement.

The BSR has published criteria for assessing applications for a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC). The criteria are designed to ensure consistency when reviewing applications and cover all the information that a Principal Accountable Person needs to provide for the building, including the Safety Case Report, Resident Engagement Strategy, and Mandatory Occurrence Reporting system.

Low Carbon Concrete

As part of the drive to net zero, Innovate UK is bringing together a group of organisations to establish an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for low carbon concrete and cement solutions. An AMC helps to create a stable market and unlock investment for innovative new products, and members can express interest in joining the group.

NPPF Published

The Government has published a revised National Planning Policy Framework setting out its planning policies for England as part of plans to ramp up housebuilding. It includes a new housing target of 370,000 homes per year, the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local councils, and a definition of ‘grey belt’ land for the first time.

CSCS Annual Review

CSCS has published its Annual Review 2024 which sets out the key achievements of the last 12 months, including a new group structure and the updated CLC recommendation on industry card schemes, and priorities for 2025 focussed on supporting the industry to meet the requirements of the Building Safety Act.

Procurement Act

The Procurement Act which comes into force on 24 February 2025 will introduce significant changes to public sector procurement. The Cabinet Office is hosting a free webinar on Thursday 23 January from 10.30am ‐ 11.30am to explain the benefits of the new process for suppliers of all sizes, and members can register to attend.

H&S and Environmental Manuals Updated

The Health and Safety (H&S) Manual and the Environmental Manual, published by Construction Industry Publications (CIP) to provide businesses with a ‘one‐stop shop’ when managing health and safety and environmental matters during construction, have been updated to reflect the latest changes in legislation and guidance.

The H&S Manual has new sections on dangerous substances, work on roofs, and lifting equipment management, plus updates to the building safety and training sections, whilst the Environmental Manual includes a fully revised site set up section, amendments to BS 8500 for increasing the use of lower carbon concrete, and new guidance for net zero carbon buildings.

Each manual is written by industry for industry to provide a concise summary of relevant legislation, along with practical guidance on how to comply with it. Build UK members will receive a 30% discount when purchasing hard copies of either manual, or subscribing to CIP Knowledge which includes access to both manuals, by using the promotional code ‘BUILDUK’.

Last Updated: 09/01/2025

Celebrating 10 Years of Build UK in 2025

Welcome back after what we hope was an enjoyable and relaxing break. With the Government committed to ‘Get Britain Building’, it is going to be another busy year for our industry and #TeamBuildUK is ready to hit the ground running! The economic and social value of building homes and infrastructure has been recognised, and construction plays a key role in creating a more sustainable and productive environment for every other sector. As ever, the challenge will be turning the aspirational policy statements into financially viable plans that attract investment, are supported by local communities, and can be delivered by the supply chain.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Build UK and over the next 12 months we will be celebrating our achievements to date and focussing on those areas where we are making a real difference. #BuildUK10 has delivered significant change by working collaboratively across the whole supply chain, and we will continue to support our members to Demonstrate Organisational Capability, Navigate the Building Safety Regime, Improve Payment Performance through the supply chain, and Recruit, Train and Retain Talent to meet the industry’s needs now and in the future.

Your input and engagement is vital for us to fly the Build UK flag with Government and other key stakeholders again this year, and we have met with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in this first week back. We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the Build UK Forum next Tuesday 14 January and all the key dates for your diary this quarter can be found below.

Commenting on our 10th anniversary, Build UK Chair Julie White said:

“Having been part of Build UK since it was established in 2015, I am so proud to be Chair in our 10th anniversary year. I have seen first‐hand how Build UK has brought the whole supply chain together, which helps us to understand one another and work together to drive the industry forward. The work the team does to ensure that members are kept up to date on the key issues affecting their businesses and how we are represented to decision‐makers makes Build UK the most effective industry body around.”

Common Assessment Standard

The Government has published the Procurement Specific Questionnaire for use by public sector clients under the Procurement Act from 24 February 2025, which confirms that the Common Assessment Standard, developed by Build UK, should continue to be used for pre‐qualifying suppliers for ‘works’ contracts.

This is consistent with the position under PPN 03/24 and the Procurement Specific Questionnaire specifies at paragraph 45 that “public contracts for works should continue to use the questions set out in the Common Assessment Standard…and where possible, contracting authorities should avoid requiring Common Assessment Standard certified suppliers to re‐input their information”, which will reduce duplication for the supply chain even further.

The Common Assessment Standard has two levels of certification ‐ desktop and site‐based ‐ and companies can apply to any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies for the appropriate level depending on their trade, size and the requirements of their clients.

Building Safety Update

MHCLG issues a monthly progress report covering all the remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England with unsafe cladding. The latest data release covering up to the end of November 2024 shows remediation works have been completed on 29% of the 4,998 buildings identified, with work underway on a further 19%.

There are currently 514 buildings 18 metres and over with unsafe ACM cladding and remediation works have been fully completed on 81%, with a further 5% awaiting building control sign off. The next data release will be published on 23 January.

Build UK has updated its guide to the Building Safety Regime to reflect the latest information that has been published. The January 2025 version includes details of the Government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan and updated guidance from the BSR on the Gateways, such as the use of a partial completion strategy where part of a building will become occupied before all work has been completed. Our timeline has also been updated showing at glance when the key changes are taking effect under the new regime.

Company Size Thresholds

The Government has published The Companies (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations, which amend the criteria for determining if a company is classified as a micro‐entity, small, medium or large business for reporting and audit requirements under the Companies Act.

From 6 April 2025, the turnover and balance sheet thresholds for micro‐entities, small and medium businesses will increase by approximately 50%, and companies that move down a size category will be entitled to the accompanying reduction in reporting and audit requirements as part of efforts to reduce the regulatory burden. The regulations also remove the requirement for companies of all sizes to include specific information on the employment of disabled persons within their directors’ report.

New Member

We are delighted to kick off the new year by welcoming IRATA International into Build UK membership. With over 750 member companies and 115,000 certified technicians worldwide, IRATA is the leading trade association for the industrial rope access sector, setting global standards in safety and innovation for working at height.

Consensus Delayed

CITB has announced that its Consensus process will be delayed by five weeks to enable its Strategic Plan 2025‐29 to be aligned with the outcomes of the ITB review undertaken by Mark Farmer. Consensus will now start on 17 March and Build UK will be formally consulting its in‐scope members on the continuation of the Levy.

Inheritance Tax Reform

Build UK is supporting Family Business UK’s calls for the Government to consult on the changes to inheritance tax announced in the last Budget. In an open letter to the Chancellor, 32 trade associations have warned that changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief will affect businesses across the country, including those in construction, and starve the economy of investment.

Holiday Dates 2025

The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has published the Holiday Entitlement 2025 with guidance on annual and public/bank holidays that apply under the CIJC Working Rule Agreement. There is an additional paid day’s holiday to bring the Working Rule Agreement in line with other industry agreements, taking the annual entitlement to 23 days plus eight public/bank holidays per year.

Dates for Your Diary

Tuesday 14 January (8:30am – 9:30am) – All Member Forum
We will be joined by Chris Durham, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Infrastructure Commission, who will look ahead to the 10-year infrastructure strategy and the need to provide more long-term certainty for projects.

Tuesday 28 January (8:30am – 9:30am) – Building Safety Call
The BSR will present the initial findings from its new project, Facilitating Culture Change in the Built Environment, which aims to introduce a consistent framework for improving building safety culture.

Monday 17 – Saturday 22 March – Open Doors Week
Members across the supply chain are encouraged to host events at their sites, offices and other workplaces to promote careers in construction and inspire young people and those looking for a change of career to join the industry.Wednesday 26 March (6:30pm onwards) – Networking Event
Back by popular demand, our first event of the year will take place at the electrifying Hijingo where you will experience bingo like never before, with the chance to win some fantastic prizes whilst networking with your fellow members in a unique location!

er central and local Government, businesses, training providers and unions to meet skills needs, particularly in key sectors like construction..

Last Updated:10/10/2024

Open Doors ‐ Register Now!

The Countdown to #OpenDoors25 is well and truly underway and Build UK members across the supply chain can now register the events they are planning to offer from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March! Everyone can play their part in inspiring careers in construction by opening up sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres across the UK, and our Open Doors Partners have already listed an exciting range of events, including Canary Wharf Group’s Wood Wharf, Sunbelt Rentals’ Wetherby Utilities Depot, and Willmott Dixon’s Bridgend College Town Centre Campus.

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

A Guide to CSCS

Cards carrying the CSCS logo are required only by those undertaking recognised construction occupations on site. Cards are not issued for non‐construction occupations, those visiting sites or those 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.

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

Reporting on Retentions

After being withdrawn as a result of the General Election, the draft legislation to amend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations to introduce new metrics on retentions has now been re‐laid by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Large companies will be required to publish the following information as part of their payment reports every six months:

A series of statements confirming whether retention clauses are used and if so whether there are any standard terms

A description of the process for release of retention

A sum showing the overall value of retentions held by the company from its suppliers as a percentage of that held by its clients

A sum showing the total retention held from the company’s suppliers as a percentage of all money paid to suppliers.

These amendments to the Regulations apply to each financial year of a company beginning on or after 1 April 2025, and DBT has confirmed that for companies with a financial year beginning on 1 January, their first reports containing the new metrics will be for the period 1 ‐ 30 June 2026 and need to be submitted by 30 July 2026. New metrics on the value of invoices paid and disputed invoices will come into force from 1 January 2025.

Building Financial Security

With research showing that one in five employees have money worries that affect their job performance, financial wellbeing is a crucial part of any employee welfare strategy. Build UK Partner People’s Partnership is encouraging businesses across the supply chain to focus on supporting the financial wellbeing of their employees, which can help to create a more focused, stable and loyal workforce, ultimately improving productivity and reducing turnover.

Financial security is about feeling confident enough to make choices that improve quality of life, and employers can help by offering financial literacy workshops covering topics like investment basics and credit management, as well as providing practical support for immediate concerns such as budgeting guides, emergency savings plans and debt management strategies. Promoting pension contributions and supporting employees to combine multiple pension posts using resources like the People’s Pension retirement planner and the Government’s pension tracing service can also help them achieve the retirement they want. Further information about People’s Partnership and how its products could support your employees can be found on the People’s Partnership website.

Sexual Harassment

From 26 October 2024, employers will have an express obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published updated technical guidance and a supplementary eight‐step guide for employers setting out the types of action that should be taken.

EV Charging Points

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on amending Building Regulations in Wales to mandate electric vehicle (EV) charge points in new buildings, and those undergoing major renovation or material change in use, where car parking is part of the development. The deadline for responses is Friday 29 November.

Building Safety Update

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has updated its microsite on Building Control Approval for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) with new FAQs explaining why applications are being rejected or approved with conditions at Gateway Two. According to the BSR, the most common reasons include incomplete or incorrect information, non‐compliance with Building Regulations, and inadequate strategies or procedures.

Build UK has updated its guide to the Building Safety Regime to reflect the end of the transitional arrangements for Building Control Approvers. All non‐HRB projects must have now transferred to a Registered Building Control Approver in order to continue. Our timeline has also been updated showing at a glance when the key changes take effect.

Last Updated: 07/10/2024

A Guide to CSCS

Build UK has published a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CSCS to respond to the most common queries raised by members and the wider industry. The FAQs provide an introduction to the CSCS businesses and the CSCS Alliance, an overview of how cards are obtained and used to access site, and a summary of how cards carrying the CSCS logo provide assurance that an individual has the required qualifications and training as part of demonstrating competence under the new Building Safety Regime.

Cards carrying the CSCS logo are required only by those undertaking recognised construction occupations on site. Cards are not issued for non‐construction occupations, those visiting sites or those 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.

CITB Levy Proposals

CITB is consulting with the industry on draft Levy Proposals for 2026 ‐ 2029, ahead of the formal Consensus process in 2025. This initial engagement will seek feedback on two options, which have different Levy exemption and reduction thresholds, as well as the skills and training outcomes that CITB has delivered for the industry over the past three years. CITB is hosting nation‐specific webinars in England, Scotland and Wales until 24 October for employers to have their say, and the feedback will be used to provide guidance and recommendations to the CITB Board, which will finalise the Levy proposal for in‐scope employers to vote on during Consensus next year. If members are unable to attend a webinar, feedback can also be shared via the CITB website.
As a ‘Prescribed Organisation’, Build UK is responsible for consulting with its in‐scope members on the Levy proposals during the Consensus process, and we have recently confirmed the details of your nominated Levy representative.

Get Ready for #OpenDoors25

With construction needing to recruit 50,000 new entrants a year, one of the most effective ways to show just what our industry has to offer is to participate in Open Doors. Everyone across the supply chain can play their part by opening up their sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres throughout the UK during Open Doors 2025 from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March. 

88% of visitors in 2024 stated they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, and you can all inspire the next generation to take their first step on the Journey from Education to Employment in the industry by registering your events on the Open Doors website from next Monday 7 October. For more information on getting involved, please see our latest Open Doors update.

ISG New Entrants

Following the collapse of ISG, Build UK is taking the lead in finding new employers to retain all of ISG’s 140 new entrants within the industry, and thank you to all those of you that have already contacted us offering your support. If you are in a position to take on any apprentices or graduate trainees, please email Build UK as soon as possible.  

Skills England Report

With the Government’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes requiring an expansion of the UK construction workforce, Skills England has published its first report providing an assessment of the current skills challenges and how it will address them, such as identifying the training that will be available via the new Growth and Skills Levy.

CSCS Smart Check Survey

To ensure CSCS Smart Check is performing effectively, CSCS is seeking feedback from organisations that use the platform on existing issues and any new functionalities that could be embedded within it. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes and the deadline to submit a response is Thursday 31 October. 

Passing on CITB Levy

CITB has published an updated statement denouncing the practice of ‘passing on the Levy’, where contractors deduct money from subcontractors’ wages in order to pay their own Levy. CITB is the only organisation authorised to collect Levy from employers in the industry, and companies affected can report anonymously to CITB.

Demonstrating Competence

The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry published last month highlighted that “levels of competence in the construction industry are generally low” and that “it is essential that those engaged in it at all levels and in whatever capacity be competent to carry out their functions and exercise all reasonable skill and care in doing so”. Build UK is looking at how the work on competence can be accelerated by collectively agreeing that professionals should demonstrate their competence through membership of the appropriate chartered body and that individuals working in construction occupations must hold the appropriate CSCS card.  

At recent Build UK meetings, the issue of how to standardise the recording and monitoring of competence within a centralised register has been raised, and Build UK is working with CITB and CSCS to understand if the CITB Training Register could be used for this purpose.

Working Group 2, supported by the CLC, is continuing the drive to set out the c ompetence framework (or ‘route to competence’) for each specialist installer occupation. It is intended that those elements which can be assessed will be reflected on the relevant CSCS card and that continued development to maintain the required level of competence will also be included once this work has been completed.

Last Updated: 03/10/2024

ISG Administration Update

Following the collapse of ISG last month, Build UK, with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP, has published a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to support organisations in the supply chain that may be affected. The guidance, which is endorsed by the CLC, includes the details of ISG’s administration, what to do if you are owed payment or need access to site, and potential next steps including novation of your contract. Members are welcome to share the guidance, and it will be updated as further information becomes available.

Build UK has also taken the lead in finding new employers to retain all of ISG’s 140 new entrants within the industry. The response from members and the wider industry has been fantastic, and we have already placed the first 36 individuals with new employers, including Build UK Contractor members Kier, Mace, Sir Robert McAlpine, Sisk and Wates. If you are in a position to take on any apprentices or graduate trainees and haven’t been in touch with us already, please email Build UK as soon as possible.

Bank of England Latest

We were delighted to welcome back the Bank of England to the Build UK AGM last month for an update on the state of the economy and the key issues impacting the construction sector following the election of the new Labour Government. With inflation now around 2%, the outlook is more positive than it has been for some time. Wage growth remains high at 5% which is why interest rates are still at a restrictive level, but financial markets are expecting them to fall to 3.5% by the end of next year.

The Bank of England’s policy to get inflation under control has particularly affected the construction sector, as it has reduced investment and development activity, and there has been a higher level of insolvencies in recent years compared to other sectors. The Bank of England is focussed on creating the most stable conditions for the economy to grow at a sustainable rate, and the UK is currently performing better than the Eurozone, which has seen the Pound strengthened against the Euro and should lead to a reduction in the cost of importing goods and materials.

Details of all Build UK meetings and events until the end of the year can be found in our schedule of meetings and events.

Common Assessment Standard

Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing individuals or organisations to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure they are competent. For individuals, this means having the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, whilst organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’. A growing list of organisations across the public and private sectors are demonstrating compliance with this duty by specifying that their supply chains must be certified to the Common Assessment Standard.

Companies only need to obtain certification once from any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. There are two levels of certification ‐ desktop and site‐based ‐ and companies should apply for the appropriate level depending on their trade, size and the requirements of their clients. Members of the supply chain keen to see a reduction in the bureaucracy of pre‐qualification are encouraged to review the different certifications they hold to see if they have the Common Assessment Standard from more than one Recognised Assessment Body and whether that is required for any reason.

Changes to Immigration System

As part of the Government’s plans to digitise the UK border and immigration system, eVisas are being introduced in place of physical immigration documents from this autumn. The majority of physical immigration documents, such as the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), will expire on 31 December 2024, and holders should take action now to transition to an eVisa at no cost. Anyone with an expired document will not be able to travel internationally from 1 January 2025 or prove their immigration status if requested without an eVisa. Further information on switching to an eVisa can be found in this factsheet as well as a series of videos.

Fines for employing illegal workers have increased to a maximum of £45,000 per illegal worker for a first offence and £60,000 for repeated offences, and uCheck ‐ which is part of Build UK Partner Citation ‐ is offering members free registration to use its services, together with discounted rates on background checks, including Right to Work (£6.20), Digital Identity (£4.20) and Identity (£4.80). Members can register online for uCheck using the code BUILDUKFREE.

Building Control

The transitional arrangements which allowed non‐Higher Risk Building (HRB) projects to continue with a non‐registered Building Control Approver have now ended. As of 1 October 2024, all non‐HRB projects must have transferred to a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) in order to continue.

Net Zero Carbon Buildings

A pilot version of the first cross‐industry standard for net zero carbon buildings has been published, providing a consistent set of requirements for defining what ‘net zero carbon’ means for buildings in the UK. Organisations are being encouraged to use the pilot standard and there is a form to submit feedback.

Five Things You May Have Missed in September

The Build UK AGM marked the halfway point of Julie White’s term as Chair and saw the Board appointed for 2024/25.
Our latest Building Safety call focussed on the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE called on the industry to step up and take responsibility for providing safe homes and buildings, for everyone, every time.
Laing O’Rourke joined the growing list of Build UK members specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their pre‐qualification requirements.
We held an Open Doors Coordinators meeting where we discussed our plans to take even more visitors behind the scenes of construction during Open Doors 2025 from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March.
The Government announced new measures to tackle late payment, including stepping up enforcement of the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, which provide the data for Build UK’s payment performance table.

Last Updated: 26/09/2024

Thanks For Your Support

I was delighted to see so many members at the Build UK AGM earlier this week, where the Bank of England gave a fascinating insight into the state of the UK economy and the issues facing the construction sector. Coming just a few days after ISG went into administration, the discussions at the AGM only reinforced the need for a collective approach from our industry. With the new Government promising to ‘get Britain building again’, construction is at the heart of its plans, which offers a real opportunity to resolve the issues that have been holding us back.

Build UK has set out 5 Ps to Power Up Construction ‐ Pipeline, Places to live, Procurement, Performance and People ‐ and if the Government and our industry can get these right, we can transform construction and deliver the homes and infrastructure the UK needs.

I am now halfway through my two‐year term as Build UK Chair and to say the last 12 months have been busy would be an understatement. But, once again, I have seen first‐hand the value of Build UK having the whole supply chain around the table, and we have risen to every challenge by working collaboratively. I am incredibly proud of the way our industry has come together again over the last week to support Build UK in finding new roles for more than 140 apprentices and graduate trainees that were employed by ISG.

As everyone knows, encouraging the next generation to join construction is something I am passionate about, and we all have the chance to play our part by getting involved in Open Doors 2025. You can register your events on the Open Doors website from Monday 7 October and by opening up our sites, offices, factories and training centres we can show that there is a career in construction for everybody.

Having been on the Board since Build UK was formed in 2015, I am so pleased that I will be Chair for our 10^th anniversary next year. Whilst there is still more work to do, it is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made, and watch this space for more details later this year! On behalf of the Build UK Board, which was appointed at the AGM as set out below, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support ‐ Build UK can only do what it does with all of you leaning in and that collaborative approach will stand us in good stead for the next year and indeed the next decade.

Julie White, Build UK Chair

ISG Administration

Last week saw Build UK Contractor member ISG enter administration, and the impact will be felt by almost 2,500 employees and throughout the supply chain. The administrators, EY, have confirmed in a statement that no further work will be undertaken on existing contracts and all known creditors will be contacted in writing. With construction insolvencies at their highest level for over a decade, there are serious questions being raised about the industry’s business model. Despite the recommendations for more collaborative and sustainable ways of working featured in every report since Latham, inappropriate transfer of risk and unsustainable profit margins are still commonplace, and we have to change the way the industry operates to prevent more companies ending up in this position.

Build UK is taking the lead in finding new employers to retain all of ISG’s new entrants within the industry, and thank you to all those of you that have already contacted us offering your support. If you are in a position to take on any apprentices or graduate trainees, please email Build UK. An organisation called BuildMyTalent is helping to match more experienced employees with employers, and anyone with opportunities can contact them via LinkedIn.

Improving Payment Performance

The Government has announced new measures to tackle late payment, with the aim of supporting small businesses and “unlocking their barriers to growth”. It plans to ‘step up’ enforcement of the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations and introduce new legislation requiring large businesses to include this information in their annual reports. The guidance to the Regulations has also been updated to include the new reporting requirements on value of invoices paid and disputed invoices, which come into force from 1 January 2025. Build UK has identified some potential inconsistencies in the updated guidance and is working with the Department for Business and Trade to ensure that the required information will be reported correctly.

At a meeting with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds last week, attended by Build UK Chair Julie White, it was confirmed that a new Fair Payment Code will be introduced this autumn, replacing the Prompt Payment Code. This will include a number of payment standards for companies to sign up to, and they will be awarded gold, silver or bronze status depending on how quickly they pay their suppliers including small businesses.

New Towns Taskforce

The Government has established the New Towns Taskforce to help create new large‐scale communities as part of its ambition to build 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament. The Taskforce will report back to Government in 12 months’ time on potential locations for new towns, ways of attracting funding and investment, and standards for providing good quality places.

Labour Party Conference

At the Labour Party conference this week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Government would publish a new Industrial Strategy next month to drive long term growth. The Budget due to take place on 30 October was billed as a “Budget to rebuild Britian”, with corporation tax to be maintained at its current level and no increases in income tax, National Insurance or VAT.

Build UK Board 2024/25

Chair
• Julie White, Managing Director, D‐Drill (DSA)

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

Contractor Directors
• Fabienne Viala, Chair and CEO, Bouygues UK
• Paul Gandy, Chief Executive Officer, Tilbury Douglas
• Graham Dundas, Chief Executive Officer, Willmott Dixon

Trade Association Directors
• Adam Binns, Managing Director, Binns Fencing (AFI)
• Matthew Nesbit, Board Director, William Hare Group (BCSA)
• David Frise, Chief Executive Officer, BESA

Co‐opted
• Mark Robinson, Chief Executive, SCAPE Group

Further information regarding the Board is available on the Build UK website.

Last Updated: 19/09/2024

Improving Building Safety

Thanks to all those members who attended our latest Building Safety call this week where we discussed the final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Following the positive response to the statement from Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE on the need for the industry to take responsibility for improving building safety, there are a number of areas where we can step up whilst the Government reviews the recommendations over the next six months. With the report highlighting that “levels of competence in the construction industry are generally low”, we can accelerate work in this area, starting by collectively agreeing that professionals should demonstrate their competence through membership of the appropriate chartered body and that individuals working in construction occupations must hold the appropriate CSCS card.

Paul Morrell OBE, who led the Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime, shared his thoughts on the report, which “lays down challenges for everyone involved in designing, constructing and operating buildings, and everything that goes into them, with a view to prioritising safety”. As the new building safety regime is still settling down, he cautioned that ‘further sweeping changes’ could be disruptive and there was a risk of placing more responsibility with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) which is already ‘overloaded’.

Members raised significant concerns about delays at Gateway Two and the BSR will be joining our next Building Safety call on Tuesday 5 November to discuss the process. According to the BSR, the current timescale for a successful application to be approved is 12 ‐ 18 weeks, as set out in a new FAQ on the BSR microsite dedicated to Building Control Approval for Higher‐Risk Buildings.

Inspiring Careers in Construction

With construction needing to recruit 50,000 new entrants a year, one of the most effective ways to show just what our industry has to offer is to participate in Open Doors. At our Open Doors Coordinators meeting last week, we discussed plans to take even more visitors behind the scenes of construction during Open Doors 2025 from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March! Build UK Chair Julie White, who grew up visiting sites as part of the family business, confirmed “what a difference seeing our industry in action makes and how it brings the amazing things we do every day to life” and encouraged businesses across the supply chain to “open the doors to their sites, offices, factories and training centres to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction”.

Events for Open Doors 2025 can be registered on the Open Doors website from Monday 7 October, and further information can be found in our latest Open Doors update. With 88% of visitors in 2024 stating they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, everyone can play their part in showcasing the fantastic range of careers available in construction by hosting events across the UK. 

CITB Levy Proposals Published

CITB has confirmed that it will consult with the industry from 26 September until 24 October on draft Levy Proposals for 2026 ‐ 2029, ahead of the formal Consensus process in 2025. This initial engagement will seek feedback on two options, which have different Levy exemption and reduction thresholds, as well as the skills and training outcomes that CITB has delivered for the industry over the past three years. CITB is hosting nation‐specific webinars in England, Scotland and Wales for employers to have their say, and the feedback will be used to provide guidance and recommendations to the CITB Board, which will finalise the Levy Proposal for in‐scope employers to vote on during Consensus next year.

As a ‘Prescribed Organisation’, Build UK is responsible for consulting with its in‐scope members on the Levy Proposal during the Consensus process, and we are currently confirming the details of your nominated Levy representative.

Procurement Act

The Government has confirmed that commencement of the Procurement Act will be delayed from 28 October 2024 until 24 February 2025 in order to produce a new National Procurement Policy Statement reflecting more clearly the new Government’s priorities for public procurement, including delivering value for money, economic growth and social value.

Scottish Legislation

The Scottish Government has confirmed its legislative agenda for this Parliamentary year, which includes new Bills to establish a Building Safety Levy in Scotland, equivalent to the Levy that will be introduced in England, and to prohibit the use of certain heating systems after 2045 and require certain properties to meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency.

JCT 2024 Contracts

JCT has published new editions of its Pre‐Construction Services Agreement and Consultancy Agreement. All the JCT 2024 contracts released to date, including the Standard Building Contract and Design and Build Contract, are available to purchase via the JCT Construct subscription service, in On Demand digital form, and in hardcopy.

Construction Summit

Build UK Professional Services member Procore is hosting a Construction Summit on Wednesday 2 October at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. It is aimed at companies looking to develop their digital strategy to improve project efficiency, collaboration, and compliance with industry standards, and members can register for free.

CLC Update

The latest update from the Material Supply Chain Group shows good levels of product availability, with only minor issues reported for aerated blocks and Class B engineering bricks. Demand is expected to increase in Q2 2025 and companies are encouraged to plan ahead and communicate requirements early.
Alongside its Building Safety Report, the CLC has published an industry response to the Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime led by Paul Morrell OBE, which analyses the recommendations made and whether they should be taken forward by Government or industry.
CLC Chair Mark Reynolds has written to the new Construction Minister, Sarah Jones, recommending that the Government brings forward legislation to abolish cash retentions, as part of the Bill to tackle late payment which was announced in the King’s Speech.
The latest CO₂nstruct Zero Business Champions include Fosroc (CONSTRUCT) and Robertson (BESA) as more organisations across the supply chain come together to drive carbon out of the sector and respond to the net zero challenge.

Last Updated: 12/09/2024

It’s Time to Take Responsibility

Following publication of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry last week, there has been acknowledgement across the industry that more needs to be done to improve building safety. Whilst the police investigation will now come to the fore for those involved in Grenfell Tower, no‐one can avoid the fact that people in and outside the industry have underestimated the importance of everyone doing their jobs properly to deliver high quality buildings that perform as expected. The drive to get ‘boots on the ground’ has led to ‘build and design’ on site, and the hierarchy of our supply chains has resulted in a lack of understanding and accountability. As the Inquiry report concludes, the fire at Grenfell Tower was the “culmination of decades of failure by central Government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry”, and we must all now step up and take responsibility for our actions.

Under the new building safety regime, the design of a Higher‐Risk Building (HRB) must be approved before construction begins and then it must be confirmed that the building has been constructed in accordance with the approved design before it can be registered and occupied. And surely that should be the principle for all buildings ‐ not just HRBs.

Unfortunately, we all know that is not how construction has operated, and the fundamental change needed requires more than just regulation; there needs to be a cultural shift in expectations and behaviours across the industry. Ultimately, we have to change the business environment in which the industry operates, so those who commit to building safely can thrive and those who don’t are flushed out.

The report makes 58 recommendations and it is going to take time for those to be considered and implemented. However, as the industry, we can step up now by insisting on the recommended ways of working featured in every report since Latham, including fair contract terms that result in a more appropriate transfer of risk.

We need to start by being honest with ourselves, our clients and the Government that buildings and infrastructure are not cheap to build and maintain and there is still too much focus on the cost of construction. In reality, the cost of delivering a building or infrastructure is a small percentage of the total value realised over its lifetime. We only have to look at the headlines of snagging lists, mould, crumbling concrete, potholes and sewage spills to understand the benefits of a good built environment versus a cheap and neglected one.

Clients must understand that they are now accountable for their decisions and if they ask for a lower price they should be made aware of the implications. Not only would this help to promote the true cost of construction, but it would result in better buildings, greater productivity, a more resilient supply chain and an incentive to invest for the future.

The final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is a wake‐up call: the pace of change must be accelerated and everyone needs to take responsibility for fulfilling their duties to provide safe homes and buildings, for everyone, every time. As Inquiry panel member Thouria Istephan said: “if you work in the construction industry and you do not feel the weight of responsibility you have for keeping people safe, you are in the wrong job”.

Suzannah Nichol OBE, Build UK Chief Executive

Building Safety Call

Following publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, Build UK will be using its Building Safety call next Tuesday 17 September at 8:30am to hear members’ thoughts on the conclusions and recommendations. Your nominated Building Safety representative should have received the details directly and please email Build UK if you would like to attend this call.

Organisational Capability

With the increased focus on competence, Laing O’Rourke is the latest Build UK member to specify its supply chain must be certified to the Common Assessment Standard to “help to ensure quality and compliance”. Companies can obtain certification from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies in order to tender for work with a growing list of organisations.

Building Safety Guide Updated

Build UK has updated its guide to the Building Safety Regime to reflect the latest information and guidance that has been published. The changes covered in the September 2024 version include:

Further amendments to Approved Document B from 2 March 2025, including the requirement for sprinklers in all new care homes and the withdrawal of National Classes fire testing standards in favour of the European standard.
Clarification that recognition of CE Marking for construction products, which was due to end in June 2025, has been extended indefinitely.
Confirmation that the offence of occupying part of a building without a completion certificate does not apply to hospitals and care homes.
New building control guidance on the cancellation of initial notices by Registered Building Control Approvers and the transfer of work to another Building Control Approver.
The CLC Building Safety Report outlining the work undertaken across the industry to support regulatory and cultural change following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The Building Safety Regulator is regularly updating its guidance on the new regime, and our timeline shows at a glance when all the key changes take effect.

Last Updated: 05/09/2024

Delivering Change in Construction

Yesterday saw publication of the final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry which is a sobering reminder of how important it is for everyone involved in a project to fulfil their responsibilities. No‐one can say ‘it doesn’t matter’ what they do or how they perform; it does matter and how we continue to drive forward the changes required with the whole supply chain meeting their duties will be the measure of our success. Ahead of the report’s publication, the Government announced further regulatory changes to improve building safety, and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called for action to “make homes safe, speed up remediation and ensure that buildings in the process of being remediated are managed safely for residents” following the fire at Spectrum Building in Dagenham last month.

The events of the last few months have demonstrated once again that the industry is so much stronger when it works together. The commitment from the new Government to build the homes and infrastructure the country needs is a huge opportunity, and we must be ready to deliver when a pipeline of work is provided. Whilst there continue to be a range of challenges facing the industry, we can all play our part in helping to resolve them, from how we procure work to how we recruit, train and retain the people we need. By adopting and developing the systems we have in place, the whole supply chain can focus on performing to deliver high quality, safe buildings and infrastructure.

We have said many times construction is a team game and as a result of the way Build UK is bringing the industry together to respond on building safety, Cast has joined as our latest Professional Services member. A consultancy at the forefront of driving sustainable change in the development and construction industry, Cast will further increase our representation of the whole supply chain, and we look forward to working with them.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Report

The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which examines the causes of the fire, highlights systemic failures in the way buildings have been commissioned, designed, constructed and managed. Calling out those who “contributed to the [eventual disaster] in one way or another… in most cases, through incompetence, but in some cases, through dishonesty and greed”, the report concludes that the fire was the “culmination of decades of failure by central Government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry to look carefully into the danger of incorporating combustible materials into the external walls of High‐Rise Residential Buildings and to act on the information available to them”. Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has confirmed the Government will look in detail at the recommendations and respond in full within six months.

Since the Grenfell tragedy, there has been a collective effort to reset the way construction operates, and Build UK supported the CLC Building Safety Report published last week, which sets out the progress made to date. This includes our work to help members and the wider industry implement the new building safety regime to make sure buildings are safe and perform as expected. Our Building Safety Guide continues to be used as the first point of reference across the industry, and we have recently updated our overview of the Golden Thread to include a link to new guidance published by the CLC.

However, the report reinforces the amount of work still to be done and it must serve as a wake‐up call to the industry which has a responsibility to provide safe homes and buildings, for everyone, every time.

Changes to Regulations

The new Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness, Rushanara Ali MP, outlined in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament earlier this week a package of measures designed to improve building safety. With evidence to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry “reveal[ing] the scale of concern about construction products”, she confirmed that recognition of CE marking for construction products, which was due to end in June 2025, will be extended indefinitely as “there is currently insufficient testing and certification capacity in the UK alone”. The extension is conditional on the Government committing to system‐wide reform of the regulatory regime for construction products and any subsequent changes to the recognition of CE marking will be subject to a minimum two‐year transitional period.

The Government has also published amendments to Approved Document B, which will require sprinklers to be installed in all new care homes. There is a six‐month transition period until the new guidance comes into effect on 2 March 2025, with a further six months for work on current projects to continue if they have sufficiently progressed. The updated guidance also includes the withdrawal of the ‘outdated’ National Classes fire testing standards, which means products that have only been tested against these standards will have to be re‐tested against the European standard, with a transition period of five years for fire resistance and six months for reaction to fire.

Proposals will also be brought forward to improve the fire safety and evacuation of disabled and vulnerable residents in High‐Rise Residential Buildings through the use of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).

Building the Future Conference

There is less than two weeks to book your place at the Building the Future Conference on Wednesday 18 September supported by Build UK. The event hosted by Building Magazine at Church House in London will bring together leading industry experts to explore the biggest issues facing construction, including building safety, productivity and net zero. All the panel sessions will be fully interactive giving you the chance to have your say and put questions to the speakers.

It promises to be another informative event and Build UK members will receive a 20% discount when booking places using the code ‘BUILD20’, meaning tickets are available for just £168 + VAT per person (£120 + VAT for the afternoon session only).

Five Things You May Have Missed This Summer

With the election of the new Labour Government, Build UK called on Ministers to focus on 5 Ps to Power Up Construction as they look to ‘get Britain building again’.
We published an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard, which was welcomed across the industry, including the CLC, Building Safety Regulator and Local Government Association.
The latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations showed that all Build UK tier one Contractor members are paying invoices within an average of 45 days for the first time.
Following publication of the first JCT 2024 contracts, which include a number of changes in response to our recommendation on contract terms, Build UK updated its guidance on implementing the recommendation when using JCT contracts.
We kickstarted the Countdown to Open Doors 2025 which will see events taking place across the UK from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction!

enjoy the bank holiday weekend!

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

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