MHCLG has confirmed that from 1 September 2026 it will dispense with procedural requirements to gain Building Control Approval for the installation of fibre optic cabling in all buildings, as well as for building work to mobile communication masts on rooftops of Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), although the requirements at Gateway Three will remain. Further guidance is expected to be published shortly.

CITB Nation Councils

CITB is looking for employers to join its Nation Councils in England, Scotland and Wales. The Nation Councils advise the CITB Board on industry priorities, and it is an opportunity to ensure that employers’ views are reflected in decisions. More information about the role can be found on the CITB website and anyone interested in applying should complete the relevant expression of interest form by Friday 4 September.

Equal Pay Consultation

The Government is consulting on proposals to reform the equal pay framework, which include requiring all employers to publish pay and benefit details in job adverts, ensuring that outsourced services cannot be used to bypass equal pay obligations, and establishing a new enforcement unit to investigate pay discrimination. The deadline for responses to the consultation is Tuesday 27 October.

Making Tax Digital

Sole traders earning more than £50,000 are now required to send quarterly updates to HMRC as part of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. The first quarterly deadline for 2026/27 has passed but anyone that has not yet submitted their update is being encouraged to do so and there are no late filing penalties this year. From September, HMRC will be registering individuals for Making Tax Digital who have not yet done so.

Guidance and Support for Members

Build UK publishes practical guidance and information on a wide range of issues affecting the construction supply chain, including building safety, procurement and skills. Designed to ensure members are aware of their responsibilities and implement consistent practices, the most popular guidance notes on the Build UK website include:

• Routes of Entry into Construction
• Managing Price Inflation
• Contract Terms Recommendation
• Golden Thread Overview
• Safety Helmet Colours Standard.

Build UK members also have exclusive access to our helplines and services providing free advice on issue ranging from contracts and disputes to employment law and health and safety.

The Build UK update will be taking a break next week ahead of the summer bank holiday and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 3 September with all the latest industry news!

Last Updated: 13/06/2026

Latest Gateway Data Published

The latest data published by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for the period 11 May to 1 August 2026 shows that 340 decisions were made across all valid Gateway Two applications with an approval rate of 82%. However, 300 applications (47% of the total received) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period. For the first time, NHS applications – covering a range of hospital building work from maintenance to new facilities – have been reported on separately.

	Decisions	Approval Rate	Median Approval Time	Invalid/ Withdrawn
New Build	45	91%	22 weeks	15
Category A & B	166	77%	32 weeks	257
Remediation	110	85%	34 weeks	19
NHS	19	84%	24 weeks	9
Total	340	82%	N/A	300

This month marks a year since the establishment of the Innovation Unit, which has determined a total of 102 new build applications in that time. 75% have been approved or approved with requirements, with the median approval time reducing from 43 weeks to 22 weeks over the last year.

The BSR has provided its first data on ‘major change’ requests. Of the 181 live major change requests, 42% are new build, 33% are Category A and B, 12% are remediation, 12% are NHS, and 1% are transitional projects. New build change requests are currently taking on average seven weeks to close, against the statutory target of six weeks.

The BSR also received 45 Gateway Three applications during the last 12 weeks. There were 29 decisions made in an average time of 16 weeks with an approval rate of 72%. No new build projects that have been through Gateway Two have yet reached Gateway Three.  

Introducing New Build UK Vice Chair

We are delighted that current Board member Jonathan Stockton is standing for Vice Chair of Build UK at the AGM on Wednesday 16 September. As Chief Executive Officer of NG Bailey Group, he brings first‐hand insight into the challenges facing businesses across the supply chain, together with a commitment to help shape the future of construction.

Jonathan is passionate about the challenge of attracting enough young people into the industry to meet demand. He is a strong advocate for apprenticeships as a route to rewarding, long‐term careers and developing the skilled workers the industry needs. NG Bailey has invested in apprenticeships since the 1930s, with many of its leaders and technical experts starting their careers through its programme. Working alongside Build UK Chair Paul Brown, Jonathan is keen to champion investment in both new and existing talent to strengthen the workforce, support innovation and ensure projects are delivered effectively.

The Build UK Board for 2026/27 will be appointed at the AGM, and Contractor and Trade Association members have until next Friday 21 August to submit their vote. Our guest speaker at the AGM will be Andrew Davies, former Chief Executive of Kier and now Chair of Southern Water, who will share his fascinating career journey spanning defence to development. The AGM, which is supported by People’s Pension, is a great opportunity to connect with members across the supply chain, and please ensure your organisation is represented.

Get Set for Open Doors 2027

With CITB’s Construction Workforce Outlook confirming that the industry needs an additional 41,200 workers a year until 2030, recruiting the next generation is more important than ever. Open Doors has a proven track record of inspiring young people to consider a career in construction, and the Countdown to #OpenDoors27 is already underway.

To help members prepare, we will be holding a meeting for Open Doors Coordinators on Tuesday 15 September from 2:00pm – 3:00pm where we will be sharing our plans and answering your questions. It’s a chance to find out about the benefits of getting involved, the more flexible format for 2027 that will see events taking place throughout March, and what you need to do to ensure your events are listed on the Open Doors website from Monday 5 October. Your nominated Open Doors Coordinators should have received an invitation to the meeting and please email us to confirm your attendance.

New Social Value Model

The Government has announced a new Social Value Model for central Government departments from 1 January 2027 to ensure procurement supports local communities. Under PPN 026, contracts valued at £1 million or more will have a minimum weighting of 10% (20% for contracts over £5 million) towards a range of social value criteria. Further guidance will be published in October.  

UK Trade Agreements

The Government has recently announced a number of new trade agreements, including Switzerland, India and the Gulf Co‐operation Council. A list of all the trade agreements in effect is available on GOV.UK, along with step‐by‐step guides for importers and exporters to understand which products will incur customs and tariffs and if any licences or product declarations are required.

CIL Consultation

To support housebuilding in the capital, the Government is consulting on a new time‐limited relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for developments in Greater London which provide at least 20% social and affordable homes. The deadline for responses to the consultation is Friday 18 September.

CompeteFor Website

CompeteFor, the free online portal providing public and private contract opportunities across major infrastructure projects including HS2, the New Hospital Programme and Sizewell C, has moved to a new website – www.competefor.co.uk – and members should ensure their profile remains up to date.

Construction Beats Cancer

Cancer Research UK is bringing together the construction industry to beat cancer by improving awareness of the causes and symptoms, changing working practices to reduce the risk of cancer, and raising funds for life‐saving research. To launch this new initiative, the Build UK team will be joining more than 300 industry colleagues on Saturday 19 September for the Shine Night Walk half marathon. As part of the Willmott Dixon team, we will light up London’s streets in hard hats and high vis to raise awareness and support.

Members across the supply chain can get involved and if you or your team are interested in taking part in the Shine Night Walk, please contact Denise Holdom at Cancer Research UK. Anyone who would like to sponsor the Build UK team can do so via our Giving page and we would be incredibly grateful for any support.

Last Updated: 06/08/2026

Build UK Publishes Data on Retentions

Build UK has updated its payment performance table with the latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, which for the first time includes information on retentions. The new data shows that the average rate of retention withheld by Build UK tier one Contractor members is 2%. Of the retentions withheld against them by their clients, Contractor members are currently withholding on average 74% from their own supply chains, absorbing the remaining 26% themselves. This highlights the significant impact of retentions on cashflow at all tiers of the construction supply chain.

With the Commercial Payments Bill currently progressing through Parliament including a ban on the use of retention clauses, the new CLC Industry Sponsor for Business Model Reform, Paul Beeston, has welcomed publication of the data by Build UK as “an important baseline against which progress can be measured as the industry evolves its commercial practices”.

Information recently published by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) shows that large companies in construction take on average 33 days to pay invoices, and Build UK Contractor members continue to pay more quickly, taking an average of 29 days over the last six months. Build UK is still the only trade organisation benchmarking payment performance, and our table shows the results for more than 130 companies in construction to provide a comprehensive picture of payment practices across the sector.

Changes to Education System

With over one million young people not in education, employment or training and the Milburn report revealing that many of them leave education with little or no exposure to working environments, the Government has announced plans to introduce new technical education routes that will provide early access to technical skills and work experience.

Promising to “value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap”, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham aims to ensure that from September 2028 students from the age of 14 (Year 10) have the opportunity to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science – with technical education linked to local industries, including the opportunity to spend time with employers and gain real‐world experience. Mayors and local leaders will work with employers, schools and colleges to identify the skills needed in each area, and employers will play a key role in providing mentoring, workplace visits and work experience.

The Government has also confirmed further immediate support to increase the number of young people starting apprenticeships. This includes fully funding apprenticeship training for all eligible under 25s from 1 August 2026, and a new bursary of up to £4,500 a year for apprentices whose families are on Universal Credit. Combining feedback from Open Doors and a new report from the CSCS Alliance showing that under 25s now account for almost 20% of cards carrying the CSCS logo, we know there is genuine interest from young people to enter the industry, and from October 2026, SMEs will be eligible for an Apprenticeship Incentive of £2,000 when taking on a new apprentice aged 16 to 24.

Remediation Update

The High Court has now issued a number of Building Liability Orders (BLOs), which extend liability for building safety defects to ‘associated’ companies even where the company that carried out the work has since been dissolved, and Build UK recently brought together members who act as Main Contractors on projects to discuss their impact.

With support from Build UK member Price Forbes and partner Wedlake Bell LLP, the discussion focussed on how BLOs and the accompanying retrospective increase of the limitation period for defect claims under the Defective Premises Act from six to 30 years were causing significant challenges across the industry. With certain Government cladding remediation schemes making it a requirement to recuperate costs from other parties in order to receive funding, building owners, developers and others responsible for carrying out remedial works of affected buildings often have little choice other than to pursue claims, which is forcing investors to reconsider potential projects and restricting growth. Build UK will be highlighting these issues to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with a request to review the retrospective aspect of the legislation.

MHCLG’s latest monthly data release covering all remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England shows that by the end of June 2026, remediation works had been completed on 38% of the 4,469 buildings identified to have unsafe cladding, with work underway on a further 15%.

The Government has been awarded its first Remediation Contribution Order following an application made in March 2024 to reimburse the Building Safety Fund which paid out to rectify defective cladding on 80 homes. Hollybrook Limited has been ordered to pay £3.68 million as an associated company of the original developer, EDR Builders, which carried out the work at Hallings Wharf in East London and is now in liquidation.

Ministerial Appointments

Blair McDougall has been appointed as the new Construction Minister, replacing Chris McDonald, as part of the recent Cabinet reshuffle. McDougall was previously Small Business Minister, where his responsibilities included the reforms to tackle late payments. Samantha Dixon has stepped down as the Building Safety Minister and her replacement is yet to be confirmed.

Temporary Shortage List

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published the next stage of its review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which allows occupations at RQF Levels 3 – 5 to be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa. MAC has recommended to the Home Secretary that 28 occupations, including 16 in construction, should be included on the TSL for 18 months from January 2027 to June 2028.

BBA Accreditation

Following the suspension of the BBA’s accreditation status by UKAS earlier this year, Build UK has been working closely with the BBA to understand the implications for the industry. The BBA has now published a series of FAQs to support companies who use BBA certified products or have their management systems certified by the BBA whilst the suspension is ongoing.

Judicial Reviews

The Government has launched a consultation on extending the judicial review reforms, introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act to reduce delays to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, to include other major infrastructure projects and developments. The deadline for responses via email is Thursday 27 August.

In Case You Missed It in July…

• Build UK clarified the position of scaffolding and temporary works in relation to the Building Safety Act and published a statement on how the Common Assessment Standard will be updated.
• Build UK joined the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and other industry organisations in urging the new Prime Minister to ‘stay the course’ with the 10‐Year Infrastructure Strategy.
• We were delighted to welcome Speller Metcalfe as the latest new member of #TeamBuildUK.
• We kicked off the Countdown to Open Doors 2027, which will see events take place throughout next March to showcase careers in construction.  
• Voting opened for the Build UK Board, which will be appointed at our AGM on Wednesday 16 September, and Contractor and Trade Association members are reminded to submit their vote by Friday 21 August.

Last Updated: 23/07/2026

New Government Gets to Work

Andy Burnham was appointed as the country’s new Prime Minister earlier this week, promising a new political and economic model for Britain, with his 10‐year plan to be published later this year. In good news for construction, he has committed to using public procurement to back British industry, the regeneration of places, and building more council homes. He also pledged to get more young people into work by changing the education system. His cabinet includes John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Angela Rayner as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Jonathan Reynolds, who we know well, has been appointed to the new post of Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and will lead a rebranded Department for Business and Trade.

The Prime Minister has committed to ‘decent infrastructure’ in all parts of the UK, and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has published its Major Projects Annual Report 2025 ‐ 2026, providing confidence across Government’s most complex and strategically significant projects. The majority are rated ‘Green’ or ‘Amber’ showing that delivery is on track, with Red‐rated projects, many of which reflect the most ambitious and complex programmes in the portfolio including the Cladding Remediation Programme, receiving more targeted support to get back on track.

With Parliament now in recess and the summer holidays underway, the Build UK update will be taking a break next week and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 6 August with all the latest industry news.

Common Assessment Standard

Build UK has reviewed the Common Assessment Standard following advice from Wedlake Bell LLP, supported by a letter from the Building Safety Minister, confirming that scaffolding and temporary works do not fall within the scope of the Building Regulations which regulate ‘building work’, unless they form part of the structure once complete.

Whilst the dutyholder and associated competency requirements are not directly relevant to scaffolding and temporary works, such works are within the scope of the Building Safety Act in relation to raising levels of competence across the industry, and we will be publishing an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard on 1 November 2026 to reflect this position. The competence‐related questions will be moved from the Building Safety section to the Quality section so that they are completed by all suppliers, and scaffolding and temporary works suppliers will not be required to complete the Building Safety section, unless they undertake ‘building work’.

In the meantime and until the updated version of the Common Assessment Standard is published, all suppliers going through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard with one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies will be required to successfully complete the competence‐related questions numbered 135, 136 and 138, even if they are not required to complete the remaining dutyholder questions in the Building Safety section.

Benchmarking Retentions

Build UK will be updating its payment performance table at the start of next month with the latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations. For the first time, data on retentions will be included for Build UK members and the wider industry in line with new reporting requirements introduced last year:  

• Whether a company uses retention clauses
• Amount of retention withheld as a percentage of all payments to suppliers
• Amount of retention withheld from suppliers as a percentage of the amount withheld by clients.

In the same way that we have been providing transparency on payment performance since 2018, we will now shine a spotlight on retentions. For every large company in the industry required to report their payment performance, the Build UK table will show the average rate of retention they withhold and the extent to which they are ‘passing on’ retentions to their supply chain.

With the Commercial Payments Bill currently going through Parliament including a ban on the use of retention clauses, the data will provide a benchmark for progress. We have already demonstrated the value of measurement and transparency in changing behaviours across the sector, with the average time taken to pay invoices by Build UK Contractor members reducing from 45 days to 29 days since 2018, and we now have the opportunity to tackle the long-standing issue of retentions.  

Construction Apprenticeship Network

On behalf of the industry, the Construction Skills Mission Board is working to support the delivery of 100,000 new construction workers each year until 2029, and its objectives include providing employers with the confidence to employ and invest, creating clear pathways for new entrants, and ensuring appropriate training provision is available.

As part of our work to support the Mission Board, we have identified the need for an apprentice ‘matching service’ to connect individuals looking for an apprenticeship with local employers offering opportunities. The nationwide service will also support and track apprentices throughout their apprenticeship journey, with the ability to ‘re‐home’ those that lose their employer for any reason. With employers across the industry struggling to identify suitable apprentices and young people often lacking the guidance and support to thrive in construction roles, our proposal has now received the backing of the Mission Board and will be developed and delivered with feedback from members and the support of CITB.

Following a concerted effort led by Build UK member, British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Skills England has agreed a new approach to apprenticeship assessments, recognising that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not appropriate for the diverse range of occupations in construction. A dedicated construction taskforce, which includes the Building Safety Regulator, CITB and CSCS alongside industry representatives, has introduced additional requirements for high‐risk occupations aligned with recognised industry competence standards. Three industry standards – Building Services Engineering Senior Technician, Carpentry and Joinery, and General Builder – are now open for public consultation and members are invited to provide feedback until 2 August.

Professions Response

Build UK has developed a draft response to the call for evidence which will inform the long-term strategy for built environment professions, trades and occupations. We are calling for a common framework to be established across the industry that ensures individuals are competent and organisations have the appropriate capabilities. Members are invited to submit feedback on the draft by Friday 31 July.

Industry Placement Card

CSCS has announced changes to the Industry Placement card, which include reducing the minimum duration of the work placement to three weeks, in line with updated guidance for Level 2 and 3 construction qualifications from the Department for Education. The card’s validity period will also be reduced to two years and a number of alternatives to the Health, Safety & Environment Test will now be accepted.

Steel Strategy

To support its Steel Strategy, the Government has updated PPN 022 requiring public sector authorities to confirm whether UK‐produced steel is to be used by their supply chains from 1 October 2026. The CLC has also issued a statement confirming it continues to monitor the impact of new steel quotas and tariffs and will report bimonthly to the Trade Minister’s office.

Plug‐In Solar

The Government has published its response to the recent consultation on ‘plug‐in’ solar PV units, confirming that they will be made available for self‐installation in homes. It has also issued an interim product specification and laid a Statutory Instrument before Parliament, which will permit them to be purchased and used legally in the UK from 27 August 2026.

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 an expanded section on young people on construction sites, revised guidance on protecting workers from silica dust exposure, and updated information on the use of drones and Human Form Recognition Systems (HFRS) including the implications for data protection. The Environmental Manual now includes the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, use of Restriction Orders by the Environment Agency, and differing authorisations required in Scotland for transporting waste.

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: 16/07/2026

A New Strategy for Built Environment Professions

Navigating the Building Safety Regime remains one of Build UK’s priorities, and thank you to all those members who attended our Forum meeting last week, where we were joined by the Building Professions Team from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to explore in more detail how its call for evidence will help shape a long‐term strategy for built environment professions, trades and occupations.

Whilst acknowledging that many within construction aim to deliver safe, high performing and sustainable buildings, the call for evidence describes an industry characterised by “fragmented accountability, inadequate standards of professionalism, and persistent failures of competence and ethical behaviour” that do not consistently support and reinforce good practice. With the latest report from the Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG) questioning the pace of culture change within the industry, members discussed the challenges impacting professional conduct, including cashflow, contractual practices, risk allocation and production pressures, which will need to be addressed to deliver the systemic change required.

Due to be published next spring, the strategy is expected to include a transition period to support the industry to move towards the long‐term vision for the future. Build UK will be responding to the call for evidence by the deadline of Wednesday 12 August, and we would welcome comments and feedback via email from members across the supply chain.

Changes to Building Safety Regime

Build UK continues to work with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to provide clarity and consistency around the regulatory requirements, and the Government has set out in a Written Ministerial Statement the steps it is taking to improve their effectiveness and proportionality, particularly for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), whilst maintaining safety standards.

• Building Assessment Certificates (BACs) – The BSR will update its approach to BACs and new applications will only be called in where necessary until the new arrangements are in place. The BSR is also exploring options for a fast‐track reassessment route for previously refused BACs.  
• Telecommunications work – From 1 September 2026, MHCLG will dispense with all procedural requirements to gain Building Control Approval for the installation of fibre optic cabling in all buildings. It will also dispense with the procedural requirements for building work to mobile communication masts on rooftops of HRBs at Gateway Two, but the requirements at Gateway Three will remain.
• Work in existing HRBs – MHCLG is looking to exclude most building work within individual flats and some small‐scale building work in communal areas of HRBs from Category A, so that these works become Category B, reducing the documentation burden on applicants.
• Emergency repairs – A consultation has been launched on amending the emergency repairs provision to include a wider range of ‘emergency works’, as well as introducing a new route for critical works so that they can take place without prior approval from the BSR. The deadline for responses is Thursday 3 September.

 

Further steps have been announced to speed up the remediation of unsafe cladding. New applications to the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) will be prioritised according to risk to life, rather than solely by height, and a new targeted fund to remediate multi‐occupied buildings under 11 metres in England will open on Monday 17 August. Homes England will also launch the National Remediation Database in the autumn to provide a single view of all remediation activity.

The Government has also published its response to the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, confirming that it will proceed with the creation of a single regulator for buildings, products and professions. Legislation will be taken forward as soon as Parliamentary time allows, and implementation of the Single Construction Regulator is expected to start from 2028 with the BSR as its foundation.

Delivering Infrastructure

Build UK has joined the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and other industry organisations in signing a joint letter urging the incoming Prime Minister to ‘stay the course’ with current infrastructure plans, as set out in the 10‐Year Infrastructure Strategy, in order to create jobs, boost regional prosperity and drive economic growth.

With Andy Burnham due to be appointed Prime Minister next week, we will be highlighting how the Infrastructure Pipeline, which sets out £725 billion of projects and programmes over the next decade, will provide businesses with the certainty and confidence they need to invest, helping to meet his ambitions for ‘decent infrastructure in all parts of the UK’ and the ‘regeneration of places’.

The Government is pushing ahead with plans to speed up the delivery of infrastructure projects, and its response to the consultation on streamlining the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) sets out the new measures that will be taken forward. These include removing the statutory requirement to consult prior to submitting a Development Consent Order; ensuring earlier technical input from the Planning Inspectorate; and new decision stage guidance to clarify the process for making decisions and judicial review. The Government has laid legislation before Parliament to enable the key reforms to commence on 24 July 2026.

Right to Work Checks Extended

As part of tackling illegal working, the Government has confirmed right to work checks will be extended from 1 October 2026 to include casual or temporary workers, sub‐contractors, and agency workers supplied through contractual chains. Employers have the following options for ensuring an individual has the right to work in the UK:

• Use a certified digital identity service provider to conduct digital checks on any individual who has either a valid British or Irish Passport (or Irish Passport Card). The employer must still confirm that the individual presenting for work is the same as whose identity has been verified, which can be done via video call.  
• Conduct an online check via the Home Office online service where an individual has been provided with an eVisa or is providing certain other documentation. An employer can also use the Employer Checking Service in specific circumstances, for example where an individual has an outstanding application or appeal with the Home Office.
• Conduct in‐person manual document‐based checks, where the employer has to physically obtain, check and copy ‘acceptable documents’ from the prospective employee. It should be noted that a driving licence is not an acceptable document.

The Government has confirmed that it will issue further guidance in due course, and Build UK members are advised to identify who among their staff will fall within the extended right to work scope and start reviewing contracts and processes. Employers conducting right to work checks in accordance with the Home Office guidance will be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’, which protects them from liability if they are later found to be employing someone illegally. Without a statutory excuse, employers face significant penalties, which could be up to a maximum of £60,000 per worker.

CLC Appointments

Congratulations to Build UK member Stuart Togwell (Kier Group) who has been appointed Deputy Co‐Chair of the CLC and will work with Co‐Chair Mark Reynolds (Mace Construct) to lead the CLC’s priorities. Another member, Lilly Gallafent (Cast), has been appointed Industry Sponsor for Digitalisation of Planning & Building Control, whilst Paul Beeston will lead Business Model Reform.

Summer Site Security

With summer school holidays starting, the HSE is calling on the industry to keep construction sites secure and prevent children from gaining access. Members should follow guidance on protecting the public, including ensuring fencing or hoarding is erected and maintained, excavations are barriered off or covered over, and sites are adequately secured when finishing work for the day.

Overseas Opportunities

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) manages one of the Government’s largest property portfolios across 179 countries, and companies experienced in international construction, design and facilities management, and programme delivery are invited to join a meeting on Tuesday 28 July in London to find out more about the pipeline of work.

Measuring Productivity

Build UK member Mace Construct has published a report on improving productivity across the construction sector, which has fallen by 20% since the 1970s. The recommendations include encouraging employers to measure and share productivity data, enforcing the Construction Playbook on public sector projects, and increasing direct employment in key specialist trades.

Award‐Winning Members

Congratulations to the Build UK members who were winners at the 30^th anniversary CN Awards last week in a fantastic show of the talent, innovation and commitment that makes up the teams driving our industry forwards.

• Galliford Try Infrastructure – Low Carbon Project of the Year
• Kier – Diversity and Inclusion Excellence
• Laing O’Rourke – Company Innovation of the Year
• Mace Consult – Rising Star (Dr Marzia Bolpagni)
• McLaughlin & Harvey – Health, Safety and Wellbeing Excellence
• Morgan Sindall Infrastructure – Project of the Year (under £20m)
• Multiplex – Project of the Year (over £50m)
• Tilbury Douglas – Regeneration Project of the Year
• VINCI as part of BBV – Digital Construction Excellence
• VolkerStevin part of VolkerWessels UK – Project of the Year (£20m – £50m)

More success for members came in the Government’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, with Arup, AWE, BAM, Department for Education (DfE), Kier, Network Rail, Transport for London and Sellafield all recognised for their commitment to recruiting, developing and retaining apprentices.

Last Updated: 09/07/2026

Countdown to Open Doors 2027

We are delighted to kick off a new chapter for Open Doors, the industry‐wide initiative delivered by Build UK to inspire careers in construction. Based on feedback from members, we are introducing a more flexible format for 2027, which will enable events to take place throughout March, providing even more opportunities to showcase the sector and the wide range of careers we have to offer.

With the latest CITB Construction Workforce Outlook confirming that the industry will need an additional 41,200 workers a year until 2030, Open Doors has a proven track record of recruiting young people and those looking for a change of career. Open Doors 2026 welcomed over 6,500 visitors across the UK, and we are looking to build on that success in 2027. Our Countdown to #OpenDoors27 contains all the key dates between now and next March, and more information on how you can get involved and open up your sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres can be found in our latest Open Doors update.

Apply for the Youth Jobs Grant

The Government has committed to ensuring that every young person has access to further education, training or a job, and the new Youth Jobs Grant, which opened for applications on 30 June 2026, will pay employers £3,000 for taking on a young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for over six months.

• To apply for the grant, employers must operate in Great Britain, have traded for at least six months, be registered with HMRC, and not be part of central Government.
• After their suitability has been assessed, employers will be invited to submit vacancies, which must pay at least the National Minimum Wage for a minimum of 25 hours per week for a minimum of 16 weeks.
• The number of funded roles available to each employer will be based on a ‘permitted ratio‘ of total employees.
• Once the young person starts, the grant will be paid in two stages: £1,800 after six weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks.

Part of the Youth Guarantee scheme, the grant will be available for three years until October 2028, and applications should be submitted via the online application form. An employer toolkit has been produced to help navigate the process and recruitment support is available through Jobcentre Plus.

Latest Gateway Data Published

The latest data published by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for the period 6 April to 28 June 2026 shows that 368 decisions were made across all Gateway Two application types – new build, refurbishment and remediation – with an approval rate of 77%. However, 328 applications (47%) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period.

There are currently 1,505 Gateway Two applications in progress and the number of closed applications (729) was again slightly higher than the number of new applications (705) over the last 12 weeks. The Innovation Unit, which processes new build applications, made 37 decisions with an approval rate of 89% in this period. Thirteen applications were categorised as ‘complex cases’, which are reported on separately, and 17 applications were deemed invalid or withdrawn.

Following a request from Build UK, Category A and B refurbishment applications are reported on separately from other applications for the first time. There were 237 decisions made with an approval rate of 73%, and 299 applications deemed invalid or withdrawn. There were 85 decisions made on remediation applications with an approval rate of 85%, and 12 deemed invalid or withdrawn. To help improve the quality of remediation applications, the BSR has launched a pre‐submission checklist providing practical steps for applicants.

The BSR has also provided its first data on Gateway Three applications. There has been a total of 277 applications submitted to date. Category A and B applications accounted for 80% and the rest were mainly transitional cases, with no new build projects that have gone through Gateway Two yet reaching Gateway Three. In the past 12 weeks, 124 decisions were made in average time of 16 weeks with an approval rate of 86%. For more building safety news, please see our latest Building Safety update.

New Member

We are delighted to welcome Speller Metcalfe as our latest Contractor member. A regional principal contractor with a strong presence across the Midlands and South West, Speller Metcalfe is recognised for innovative and sustainable construction and will help to drive collaboration across the sector and support our work on key industry issues such as building safety.

CIJC Pay Rates

The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has now confirmed the new pay rates that will apply from Monday 20 July 2026. There is a 3.6% increase in the basic wage rates, as well as increases in travel and subsistence allowances and sick pay. The new rates should be read in conjunction with the CIJC Working Rule Agreement and Holiday Entitlement 2026.

Construction Fatalities

According to provisional statistics published by the HSE, the construction sector accounted for the highest number of fatalities (25) in 2025/26 but this was 32% lower than its annual average of 37 over the past five years. Build UK is the only industry organisation to publish an annual accident report with data for tier one Contractors.

Changes to RIDDOR

Build UK supported the CLC response to the consultation on proposed reforms to RIDDOR. Whilst backing measures to increase reporting requirements, the industry highlighted the importance of clarifying definitions, simplifying the reporting process, and making sure incidents are reported consistently and in a proportional manner.

Build UK AGM – Confirm Your Attendance

We are delighted that Andrew Davies, former Chief Executive of Kier and recently appointed Chair of Southern Water, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Build UK AGM on Wednesday 16 September at the Institute of Directors in London. Andrew will share his experience of the construction sector after a successful career with BAE systems, including growing family‐owned firm Wates before almost taking the helm at Carillion, and then bringing Kier back from the brink in the midst of a global pandemic.

The Build UK Board for 2026/27 will be appointed at the AGM, and Contractor and Trade Association members have until Friday 21 August to submit their vote. Paul Brown (Chief Executive of John Sisk & Son) will continue as Chair after being appointed for a two‐year term in September 2025, and current Board member Jonathan Stockton (Chief Executive of NG Bailey Group on behalf of the Electrical Contractors’ Association) is standing for Vice Chair.

The AGM, which is supported by the People’s Pension, is a chance for members to connect with colleagues from across the supply chain, and please ensure your organisation is represented.

Last Updated: 06/07/2026

Members Discuss Building Safety Regime

The Acting Chief Executive of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), Charlie Pugsley, attended our latest Building Safety call to get feedback from members on the BSR’s priorities, including improving operations and processes at Gateway Two and ensuring safe construction and smooth Gateway Three approvals. He acknowledged the challenge of ensuring consistency for both the BSR and industry, and Build UK has followed up with the BSR to confirm the approach in a number of areas, including Gateway Two and Three applications, the Change Control process, and the maintenance and replacement of fire doors.  

Members also had the opportunity to raise other issues related to building safety, including BBA’s accreditation status, which was suspended by UKAS on 26 February 2026. The suspension may last until 25 November 2026 and BBA cannot issue new certificates under UKAS accreditation during this time. Build UK is working to understand the implications and will be publishing a series of FAQs to respond to the queries received from members who use BBA certified products or have management systems certified by the BBA.

Build UK submitted a high‐level response to the consultation on Approved Document B (Fire Safety), reinforcing that the cumulative impact of ongoing regulatory reform on the industry is substantial. We requested that the individual submissions of our members are properly considered as they have the expertise to provide detailed feedback on the proposed changes, which must be proportionate, capable of practical implementation and supported by transitional arrangements.

Our next Building Safety call will be held on Tuesday 29 September and your nominated Building Safety representative will shortly receive the details directly.  

Latest Gateway Data Published

The latest data published by the BSR for the period 6 April to 28 June 2026 shows that 368 decisions were made across all Gateway Two application types – including new build, refurbishment (Category A and B) and remediation – with an approval rate of 77%. However, 328 applications (47%) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period.

There are currently 1,505 Gateway Two applications in progress and the number of closed applications (729) was again slightly higher than the number of new applications (705) over the last 12 weeks. The Innovation Unit, which processes new build applications, made 37 decisions with an approval rate of 89% in this period. Thirteen applications were categorised as ‘complex cases’, which are reported on separately, and 17 applications were deemed invalid or withdrawn.

Following a request from Build UK, Category A and B applications are reported on separately from other applications for the first time. There were 237 decisions made with an approval rate of 73%, and 299 applications deemed invalid or withdrawn. There were 85 decisions made on remediation applications with an approval rate of 85%, and 12 deemed invalid or withdrawn. To help improve the quality of remediation applications, the BSR has launched a pre‐submission checklist providing practical steps for applicants.

The BSR has also provided its first data on Gateway Three applications. There have been a total of 277 applications submitted to date. Category A and B applications accounted for 80% and the rest were mainly transitional cases, with no new build projects that have gone through Gateway Two yet reaching Gateway Three. In the past 12 weeks, 124 decisions were made in average time of 16 weeks with an approval rate of 86%.

Temporary Works & Building Safety Act

Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, there has been a lot of discussion as to whether scaffolding and temporary works are in scope of the Act. To confirm the legal position and support members, particularly in terms of using the Common Assessment Standard, Build UK has obtained advice from Wedlake Bell LLP, which states:

• Scaffolding and temporary works are not expressly referred to in the Building Safety Act, but they do come within its scope in relation to raising levels of competence across the built environment industry.
• However, they do not fall within the scope of the Building Regulations 2010 which regulate ‘building work’ and the standards that building work must meet, unless the scaffolding and temporary works have some permanence and form part of the structure once the building work is complete.
• As a result, the dutyholder and associated competency requirements set out in Part 2A of the Building Regulations are not directly relevant to scaffolding and temporary works.

Build UK member, the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), also contacted the BSR for clarification on whether the Act applies to scaffolding, and the response from the Building Safety Minister confirms the legal advice we have received. The Minister states: “The definition of building work was not changed by the Building Safety Act and so if scaffolding and other temporary works did not require oversight from a building control body prior to October 2023, then they do not require the oversight of a building control body after October 2023. This is true is both HRBs and non-HRBs.”

Confirmation of the position for scaffolding and temporary works in relation to the Building Safety Act does have an impact on the Common Assessment Standard. We are currently finalising the changes for Version 6 to be published later this year, which will include moving the competence‐related questions to the Quality section so that they are completed by all suppliers. Scaffolding and temporary works suppliers should not be required to complete the Building Safety section, unless they are undertaking ‘building work’, and we will confirm in due course the arrangements that will apply until Version 6 is published.

Impact of Building Liability Orders

The first Building Liability Orders (BLOs) have now been issued by the High Court and the implications for groups of companies are significant. BLOs, which were introduced by the Building Safety Act, extend liability for building safety defects to ‘associated’ companies, even where the company that carried out the work has since been dissolved.

The latest BLO was issued by the High Court in its judgment on Mulalley v Sto. It ruled that Sto Limited was the manufacturer and supplier of a defective cladding system and must pay a contribution towards the costs of remedial work. As Sto Limited was placed into administration in 2025, the BLO means that Sto’s German parent company, Sto SE & Co. KGaA, is now liable to pay the contribution.

Earlier this year, a BLO was also issued in the ruling on Crest Nicholson v Ardmore, the ‘profound impact’ of which has resulted in Ardmore Construction Group going into administration. The group could not afford to pay a £14.9 million fine or further potential liabilities, which it became liable for when ‘associated’ company Ardmore Construction Limited went into administration. 

Build UK will be bringing together members who have acted as Principal Contractors on projects on Tuesday 28 July for a roundtable discussion on the impact of BLOs, and if you would be interested in joining the meeting, please email us.

Competent Persons

The BSR has published guidance for self‐certification schemes – previously known as Competent Person Schemes – which sets out mandatory requirements for individuals and organisations carrying out regulated work under the Building Regulations, as well as the assessment requirements that self‐certification scheme operators should use to assess individuals and organisations.

Building Safety in Wales

The Building (Higher‐Risk Building Procedures) (Wales) Regulations came into force on 1 July 2026, introducing new requirements for HRB work in Wales. The definition of ‘Higher‐Risk Building’ is different to that in the Building Safety Act and the relevant local authority will act as the building control authority, rather than there being a central building control authority such as the BSR.

Remediation Update

MHCLG has issued its latest monthly data release for cladding remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England. By the end of May 2026, works had been completed on 38% of the 4,411 buildings identified to have unsafe cladding, with works underway on a further 15%.

Fire Strategy Standard

The BSI is consulting on a draft code of practice which provides recommendations for the design, implementation, operation and management of a fire safety strategy throughout the life cycle of a built asset. Members can submit comments on BS 9994 – Fire Strategies in Buildings until Tuesday 18 August.

Passive Fire Guidance

The Passive Fire Knowledge Group is a cross‐industry initiative, bringing together different parts of the supply chain, to focus on investigating and promoting knowledge and research in all areas of passive fire protection. Its dedicated resource hub includes a range of guidance, including for the design and specification of MEP services penetration seals.

Pre‐Insulated Pipes

Build UK member, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA), has published a technical bulletin on polyethylene foam (PEF) multi‐layer composite pipes (MLCPs), warning that these combustible products are being installed by individuals without the necessary competence, resulting in more cases of overheating and condensation.

Preparing for the Building Safety Levy

The Building Safety Levy will come into operation on 1 October 2026 and contribute to fixing building safety defects across England. It will be chargeable on residential developments that result in at least 10 new dwellings and/or 30 new bedspaces in purpose‐built student accommodation and the creation of new residential floorspace as follows:

• The levy will be calculated on the floorspace of the development and charged on applications for Building Control Approval
• Local authorities will act as the collecting authority, with different levy rates per square metre for each local authority
• The levy will be in addition to any planning obligations, for example Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy
• Social housing and support housing residential developments will be exempt from paying the levy
• Housing associations will also be exempt, but joint ventures will not unless each party is itself exempt, and members in joint ventures with housing associations should check their arrangements.

The levy will not apply to applications for Building Control Approval submitted before 1 October 2026, including where they are varied after this date. The guidance does not specifically state whether the levy must be paid if an application submitted before 1 October 2026 is deemed invalid or rejected and then re‐submitted after this date, and we have followed up with the BSR for confirmation.  

Last Updated: 2/07/2026

Representing Construction Through Uncertainty

We know from conversations with Build UK members across the supply chain that doing business is challenging right now. Rising employment, energy and materials costs, combined with delays in regulatory processes and viability constraints, are requiring even greater focus to maintain the delivery of high‐quality buildings and infrastructure whilst recruiting, training and retaining the skills we need.

Following a stream of consultations and reports from Government, we now have the added disruption of a change of Prime Minister and the inevitable Cabinet reshuffle. At a time when the industry needs certainty, we must focus on what we can control: providing clarity and consistency, improving productivity, and reducing unnecessary duplication across the sector. An agreed and funded pipeline of work is key, as reflected in our 5 Ps to Power Up Construction, and Build UK will be calling on the new Government to maintain the commitment to the 10‐Year Infrastructure Strategy and provide the confidence the industry needs to invest and deliver the economic and social infrastructure required across the UK.

Our priority remains those issues that make a difference to members across the whole supply chain. Whilst this means we cannot engage on every consultation or individual enquiry, it will ensure Build UK is in the best position to shift the dial within the industry and support construction’s vital role in driving long‐term economic growth.

Impact of Steel Trade Measure

The Government’s new steel trade measure came into force yesterday (1 July), reducing steel import quotas by 51%, with imports above these levels now subject to a 50% tariff. Following concerns raised by industry, the reduction is less than the 60% originally proposed, but the cost of delivering projects is still expected to increase significantly.

Price rises of between 14% and 18% are currently being reported on projects, placing even further inflationary pressures on the construction supply chain. Build UK member, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), has highlighted that the omission of fabricated steel products from the new quota and tariff framework leaves UK manufacturers facing higher input costs, whilst overseas competitors can continue importing fabricated steel into the UK without equivalent quota restrictions. It is anticipated that clients will be incentivised to move fabrication overseas, putting up to 30,000 UK jobs at risk.

The Government has confirmed that the quotas will be reviewed every 12 months, but the industry is pushing for this to be reduced to six months, warning that businesses are facing unsustainable financial pressures and there is a high risk of insolvencies. There is a transitional arrangement in place, which means that the new quotas and tariffs will not apply to steel under contract before 14 March 2026 and imported between 1 July and 30 September 2026.

Temporary Works & Building Safety Act

Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, there has been a lot of discussion as to whether scaffolding and temporary works are in scope of the Act. To confirm the legal position and support members, particularly in terms of using the Common Assessment Standard, Build UK has obtained advice from Wedlake Bell LLP, which states:

• Scaffolding and temporary works are not expressly referred to in the Building Safety Act, but they do come within its scope in relation to raising levels of competence across the built environment industry.
• However, they do not fall within the scope of the Building Regulations 2010 which regulate ‘building work’ and the standards that building work must meet, unless the scaffolding and temporary works have some permanence and form part of the structure once the building work is complete.  
• As a result, the dutyholder and associated competency requirements set out in Part 2A of the Building Regulations are not directly relevant to scaffolding and temporary works.

Build UK member, the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), also contacted the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for clarification on whether the Act applies to scaffolding, and the response from the Building Safety Minister confirms the legal advice we have received. The Minister states: “The definition of building work was not changed by the Building Safety Act and so if scaffolding and other temporary works did not require oversight from a building control body prior to October 2023, then they do not require the oversight of a building control body after October 2023. This is true is both HRBs and non‐HRBs.”

Confirmation of the position for scaffolding and temporary works in relation to the Building Safety Act does have an impact on the Common Assessment Standard. We are currently finalising the changes for Version 6 to be published later this year, which will include moving the competence‐related questions to the Quality section so that they are completed by all suppliers. Scaffolding and temporary works suppliers should not be required to complete the Building Safety section, unless they are undertaking ‘building work’, and we will confirm in due course the arrangements that will apply until Version 6 is published.

Impact of Building Liability Orders

The first Building Liability Orders (BLOs) have now been issued by the High Court and the implications for groups of companies are significant. BLOs, which were introduced by the Building Safety Act, extend liability for building safety defects to ‘associated’ companies, even where the company that carried out the work has since been dissolved.

The latest BLO was issued by the High Court in its judgment on Mulalley v Sto. It ruled that Sto Limited was the manufacturer and supplier of a defective cladding system and must pay a contribution towards the costs of remedial work. As Sto Limited was placed into administration in 2025, the BLO means that Sto’s German parent company, Sto SE & Co. KGaA, is now liable to pay the contribution.

Earlier this year, a BLO was also issued in the ruling on Crest Nicholson v Ardmore, the ‘profound impact’ of which has resulted in Ardmore Construction Group going into administration. The group could not afford to pay a £14.9 million fine or further potential liabilities, which it became liable for when ‘associated’ company Ardmore Construction Limited went into administration.

Build UK will be bringing together members who have acted as Principal Contractors on projects on Tuesday 28 July for a roundtable discussion on the impact of BLOs, and if you would be interested in joining the meeting, please email us.

New Pay Rates

The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) is expected to introduce new pay rates from Monday 20 July, subject to approval of the proposed increases in travel and subsistence allowances by HMRC. It is anticipated that there will be a 3.6% increase in the basic wage rates and Build UK will circulate an updated promulgation notice with all the new rates as soon as it is available.

Faster Planning Decisions

As part of modernising the planning system, a new AI tool, Extract, has been made available to councils in England, enabling planning officers to convert old planning documents into useable data, which is expected to save 250,000 hours a year manually checking documents. The Government is also piloting another AI tool to cut householder planning application times by half.

ISO 45001 Guidance

The BSI has published a construction specific guide to ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety, outlining how the standard can be used to manage health and safety across larger projects, multiple sites and extensive supply chains. Companies who are certified to ISO 45001 are exempt from completing the Health and Safety section of the Common Assessment Standard.

Local Plan Guide

Following the introduction of a new local plan‐making system earlier this year to reduce planning delays, the Planning Inspectorate has published a new procedure guide to provide greater clarity on how local plans will be assessed under the new system. Local plans are strategic documents created by local planning authorities to guide future development within a specific area.

In Case You Missed It in June…

• We brought together Build UK, CECA and FMB members to submit a comprehensive response to the Government consultation on creating a single Industry Training Board, which called for a fundamental reset of the current system.
• Acting Chief Executive of the BSR, Charlie Pugsley, joined our latest Building Safety call, giving members the opportunity to provide feedback on the building safety regime directly to the BSR.
• Build UK produced its annual report on the Gender Pay Gap of Contractor members to provide an overview of performance and support the work being undertaken on fairness, inclusion and respect (FIR).
• We were delighted to welcome Severfield as the latest new member of #TeamBuildUK.
• Build UK member JSP hosted a roundtable for members to learn more about recent changes to safety helmet standards, which also reinforced support for Build UK’s Safety Helmet Colours Standard.

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