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: 05/02/2026
Members Hold Steady on 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 despite the challenging market. Our tier one Contractor members are currently taking an average of 30 days to pay invoices, down from 45 days when Build UK first started publishing this information in 2018. On average, Contractor members now pay 97% of invoices within 60 days, measured by both number and value of invoices.
New reporting requirements on retentions will take effect for the majority of the industry in July, and Build UK recently brought reporting members together to confirm the information that must be submitted. Companies are required to report on their retentions policy, including the circumstances in which they are used, any standard terms and the process for their release, as well as the amount they withhold in retentions.
Build UK is still the only trade organisation benchmarking payment performance, and our table shows the results for more than 125 of the industry’s largest companies, providing a comprehensive picture of payment practices across the sector.
Open Doors – More Events Needed
With just six weeks to go until Open Doors 2026, we are seeing a fantastic response from visitors with over 60% of events already fully booked! Demand is currently outstripping availability in key locations, and we need your help to maximise opportunities for those interested in seeing our industry in action from Monday 23 ‐ Saturday 28 March.
We have more enquiries than we do events in major cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, as well as Kent and Pembrokeshire. If you and your teams are already hosting events in these areas, we would be really grateful if you could consider adding extra sessions. Alternatively, if you have sites in these locations that are not yet registered, please look at whether you could host events during Open Doors Week. We know from feedback that Open Doors visits lead directly to people joining our industry, and everyone can help to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction by getting involved.
Increasing Housebuilding
The Government has announced a ‘reset’ of the Section 106 (S106) market to unlock the delivery of new homes. As well as delivering social and affordable housing, S106 agreements account for a significant share of total new home delivery, and the package of reforms is designed to reduce disruption to the development pipeline as a whole.
With thousands of S106 units currently uncontracted and unsold, a new time‐limited emergency measure will allow local planning authorities (LPAs) to renegotiate existing S106 agreements when certain conditions are met to allow the tenure of these affordable homes to be varied in order to secure a buyer. In the longer term, the Government has set out a roadmap for wider reform of the S106 system to make it simpler and more resilient. Measures include publishing a template S106 agreement for use by LPAs, providing greater clarity on the standards that S106 homes must meet, and making low‐interest loans available to private registered providers of S106 homes.
The Government has also launched the second phase of the New Homes Accelerator, which aims to speed up the delivery of housing developments across England, with support now extended to smaller sites of under 500 homes. Operations will also be expanded in London via a new planning support service for boroughs.
New Single Construction Regulator
Over 125 members joined our latest Building Safety call where the Single Regulator Team from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) presented the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, setting out its vision for a single regulatory system designed to ensure that buildings are safe and high‐performing
- Establishing a Single Construction Regulator was the first recommendation in the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and it identified 12 functions for the new regulator spanning buildings, construction products and built environment professionals.
- The Government has accepted 10 of those functions, including licensing contractors to work on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), monitoring operation of Building Regulations and the statutory guidance, and accrediting fire risk assessors. It did not accept that testing and certification of products should be undertaken by the new regulator as it would create a conflict of interest, and reforms to the construction products regime will be set out in a White Paper to be published this spring.
- The Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which is now a standalone arm’s length body under MHCLG, will ‘act as a foundation’ for the Single Construction Regulator, with existing regulatory bodies to be strengthened before their functions are incorporated in phases.
- Legislation to establish the Single Construction Regulator is expected to be laid in Parliament in spring 2027, with implementation from 2028.
Members can share their views on the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus until Friday 20 March. For any members that missed our Building Safety call, MHCLG is running a webinar on the prospectus on Tuesday 10 March from 10:00am to 11:00am.
Navigating Gateway Two
The latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the BSR for the period 3 November 2025 to 24 January 2026 shows that only 32% of applications are currently being approved. There were 698 decisions across all application types in this period, including new build, refurbishment and remediation work, with 68% relating to cases in London.
The Innovation Unit is currently managing 111 live new build applications, and out of the 39 decisions made in this period, 56% were deemed invalid, 18% were rejected and 13% were approved. The BSR has confirmed that invalid applications are missing ‘basic design information’, and Build UK’s guidance on Gateway Two sets out all the information that must be included within applications for both new and existing HRBs. There are still 29 ‘legacy’ new build applications submitted under the previous model, and the BSR is now reviewing each one to determine whether it would be more appropriate to invite a new submission.
MHCLG has launched a consultation on removing the building control procedural requirements of the HRB regime for work related to the drilling of holes through internal fire‐resisting walls for fibre optic cabling and the installation and repair of mobile communications masts. The aim is to ensure that the regime remains proportionate and effective, and the deadline to submit a response is Tuesday 24 March.
Member Subscriptions
Thank you very much to all those members who have already paid their Build UK membership subscription for 2026. A fantastic two thirds of members paid by the end of January, and your prompt payment will enable us to continue focussing on delivering projects that transform the industry.
Transition to EV Fleets
Build UK member, Supply Chain Sustainability School, is hosting a free webinar with Natwest on Wednesday 25 March from 10:00am to 11:00am to help employers take a phased ‘data‐led’ approach to switching to electric vehicle (EV) fleets without increasing costs or disrupting operations.
In Case You Missed It in January…
- Build UK was delighted to welcome its first new member of the year, McLaughlin & Harvey.
- Booking for visitors opened for Open Doors 2026, which will see more than 180 events take place across the UK from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March.
- The Interim Chief Construction Advisor, Thouria Istephan, joined our Forum meeting for her first public engagement with the industry to set out her priorities.
- Galliford Try joined the growing list of Build UK members specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their pre-qualification requirements.
- Jonathan Stockton, Chief Executive Officer of NG Bailey Group, which is a member of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), joined the Build UK Board.
Last Updated: 29/01/2026
Preparing for the Employment Rights Act
The Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, paving the way for significant reforms to employment law over the next two years. The changes fall broadly into three categories: new rights and protections for workers; fair pay, terms and working conditions; and enforcement and trade unions.
The first tranche of changes, which have already come into force, are focused on modernising trade union legislation including workers’ ability to take strike action. Further changes will take effect in April 2026, including the introduction of new ‘day one’ rights to statutory sick pay (SSP), paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, and the removal of the lower earnings limit for SSP. From January 2027, the two‐year qualifying period for unfair dismissal will be reduced to six months.
Build UK Partner Citation has updated its overview of the changes now that the Employment Rights Act is in force to help employers understand the impact on their businesses and what they need to do to prepare, including reviewing their policies and processes.
Warm Homes Plan Published
The Government has published its Warm Homes Plan, which sets out £15 billion of investment to upgrade the energy efficiency of up to five million homes, representing a significant pipeline of publicly‐funded retrofit work. With home insulation rates decreasing by more than 90% from 2010 – 2024, the plan has three delivery strands or ‘pillars’:
Direct support for low‐income families – £5 billion to fully fund retrofits, including insulation, solar panels, solar batteries and heat pumps, for low‐income households.
An offer for everyone – £2 billion to provide zero or low interest Government‐backed loans to households outside of the low‐income bracket to pay for the cost of installing energy efficiency measures. New measures, including air‐to‐air heat pumps and heat batteries, will be added to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides up to £7,500 for qualifying installations.
New protections for renters – Landlords will be required to invest up to £10,000 per property to meet EPC B and C across two metrics by October 2030 unless the property has a valid exemption.
Delivery of the Warm Homes Plan will be overseen by a new Warm Homes Agency combining the delivery functions of Ofgem, Salix and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. There will also be additional funding for the Heat Training Grant to support the upskilling of heating engineers, with a new Warm Homes Skills Programme for other qualifications in solar panels, insulation and assessment.
#NAW2026 – Get Involved
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 will take place from Monday 9 ‐ Sunday 15 February to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships, and Build UK is encouraging all members to get involved. The theme is ‘Skills for Life’, and there are a number of simple things you can do to show how apprenticeships set the foundation for a successful career:
Celebrate your apprentices – Put your apprentices front and centre of your business and on social media using the hashtag #NAW2026 and showcase the career journeys of employees who started as apprentices.
Promote your apprenticeship vacancies – List all your apprenticeship opportunities on Go Construct Careers 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 construction and the opportunities available.
For more information on getting involved throughout the week, you can download a range of free NAW 2026 toolkits. Any members in‐scope to CITB who would like support with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices should contact CITB’s New Entrant Support Team.
Building Safety Regulator
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is now a standalone arm’s length body under MHCLG, paving the way for a single construction regulator. With the latest data on Gateway Two applications showing the number of decisions continues to rise, the BSR has replaced the HSE as the regulator for building safety for the purposes of the Building Safety Act from 27 January 2026.
Competence Hub
The first iteration of the Built Environment Competence Hub has been launched to bring together the industry’s competence‐related resources in one central place. The hub has been developed by the BSI in collaboration with the Industry Competence Steering Group, and members will need to register to gain access to the resources including competence frameworks.
Water White Paper
With an investment programme of £104 billion between 2025 and 2030, Defra has published its Water White Paper setting out its plan to reform the water sector. Measures include creating a new regulator in place of Ofwat, appointing a Chief Engineer to oversee water infrastructure, and reviewing Permitted Development Rights for water companies to help speed up delivery.
Tackling CIS Fraud
The Government has confirmed changes to the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) to strengthen HMRC’s power to tackle fraud. From 6 April 2026, any business that knew or should have known that payments made or received were connected with fraudulent evasion of tax could immediately lose their Gross Payment Status and be liable for a penalty of up to 30% of the lost tax.
New Build UK Board Member
We are delighted to announce that Jonathan Stockton, Chief Executive Officer of NG Bailey Group, which is a member of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), has joined the Build UK Board as a Trade Association Director. Jonathan was appointed by the Directors until the next AGM to replace Matthew Nesbit, who stepped down in September 2025.
Jonathan joined NG Bailey Group in 2016, after nine years at Deloitte specialising in capital markets across the UK and Europe, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2024. With a strong track record in overseeing corporate strategy, operational performance and transformation, Jonathan will bring valuable commercial insight and leadership experience to the Build UK Board.
Full details of the Board can be found on the Build UK website.
Last Updated: 22/01/2026
Members Hear from Interim Chief Construction Adviser
Thanks to all those members who attended our first Forum meeting of the year, where we were joined by the Interim Chief Construction Adviser, Thouria Istephan, for her first public engagement with the industry. Appointed by the Government for a 12‐month term to provide advice on building safety and regulatory reform, Thouria confirmed that one of her priorities is developing the role and brief for the permanent Chief Construction Adviser. She will shortly be publishing an interim report setting out the focus for the remainder of her term, which ends on 30 September 2026.
Thouria, who spent more than 25 years at architect Foster and Partners, was part of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel and in her statement on publication of the final report, she highlighted the need to take responsibility individually and collectively to improve building safety, saying “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”. She called on Build UK and its members to demonstrate the cultural changes that are being made within the industry and to play their part in ‘calling people out’ to ensure the lessons are learned.
Our next meeting for all members will be the Building Safety call next Tuesday 27 January where we will be joined by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to discuss the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus. Your nominated Building Safety representative should have received the details directly.
Common Assessment Standard
With more than 22,500 companies now certified to the Common Assessment Standard, Galliford Try has become the latest Build UK member to adopt it for its pre‐qualification requirements. Companies can now obtain certification from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies in order to work with a growing list of organisations.
The Common Assessment Standard has 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. Once certified by a Recognised Assessment Body, a company does not need to obtain certification again from any others. Instead, they can agree to share their data at no cost with the other Recognised Assessment Bodies so it is visible to more Contractors and Clients. Don’t duplicate: giving permission to share your data is quick and simple and will help to save time, reduce costs and win work.
The Common Assessment Standard is reviewed every year to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the industry, and the dedicated Common Assessment Standard Review Group has started the review process for Version 6 to be published later this year. To submit any suggested changes, please complete this online form.
Making Tax Digital
The new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax service will come into force from 6 April 2026, representing a major change to the way that self‐employed individuals manage their tax. It is part of HMRC’s efforts to modernise the tax system and reduce errors and it will be phased in over the next three years, starting with individuals with a turnover over £50,000.
Rather than paying four tax bills a year, individuals will need to pay a single tax bill and use recognised software to keep records of their income and expenses. There are both free and paid for software options available, and individuals will have to send quarterly updates to HMRC using their chosen software, which will enable HMRC to produce an estimate of their tax bill. The deadline for payment of the tax bill will be 31 January. Individuals will need to check their eligibility for the new service and sign‐up in time; they will not automatically be signed up by HMRC. Further information is available in a series of FAQs published by HMRC.
Investment in the North
The Government has confirmed funding of £1.1 billion to progress the planning, development and design for Northern Powerhouse Rail to unlock economic growth across the North. The first phase will improve connections between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York, and Leeds and Bradford, and Build UK will be pushing for early contractor involvement to help ensure its successful delivery.
Scottish Pipeline
The Scottish Government has published a new Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline, as part of the Scottish Budget 2026/27. The pipeline details £11.1 billion of investment across major projects and programmes over the next four years, including 36,000 new homes, the A9 Dualling Programme, and HMP Glasgow and HMP Highland, with progress reports to be published every six months.
NHP Forum Reminder
There is still time to register for the meeting that Build UK is hosting with the New Hospital Programme (NHP) on Thursday 29 January from 9:00am – 10:30am. With a new report from the National Audit Office stating that the NHP is now on a ‘more stable, long‐term footing’, the NHP team will set out its ambitions for the year ahead and how companies of all sizes can get involved.
Young People and Work
The Government is undertaking a call for evidence to understand why almost 1 million young people aged between 16 and 24 are not in employment, education or training (NEET). Members have the opportunity to submit evidence until Friday 30 January on what would make the biggest difference to supporting more young people to participate in employment, education or training.
Build UK Chief Executive Named Patron of H&S Manual
Congratulations to Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE, who has become the new Patron of the Health and Safety (H&S) Manual, published by Construction Industry Publications (CIP). Suzannah has contributed to the H&S Manual for over 30 years throughout her career, and this new role reflects her long‐standing commitment to the Manual and its value to the industry.
Both the H&S Manual and the Environmental Manual have recently been updated to reflect the latest changes in legislation and guidance. The updated H&S Manual has new guidance on managing health and wellbeing, site logistics and planning, and drug and alcohol testing, which incorporates the template Drugs and Alcohol Policy developed by Build UK. The latest updates to the Environmental Manual include revised guidance on environmental management, procurement and materials, with new embodied carbon case studies.
The Manuals provide a ‘one‐stop shop’ for managing health, safety and environmental matters during construction, and Build UK members can access a 30% discount on hard copies or a subscription to CIP Knowledge, which includes both Manuals, by using the promotional code ‘BUILDUK’.
Last Updated: 15/01/2026
Open Doors 2026 – Promote Events Now
With the demand for skills as high as ever, attracting the next generation remains a priority, and you can help to showcase what construction has to offer by getting involved in Open Doors. Booking for visitors opened this week, and we are off to a flying start with almost 2,000 bookings confirmed in the first three days! There are currently more than 160 events registered to take part across the UK from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March, including major projects like Buckingham Palace, Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Prince Charles Hospital, and Dundonald International Ice Bowl, and it’s not too late to get involved.
Whether by hosting an event or helping a young person book a visit, you can play your part in inspiring new entrants into the industry. We are encouraging members across the supply chain to register any remaining sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres as soon as possible. Please reach out to schools and colleges, who can organise group visits for their students, and share the details on social media to help us show that 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.
National Planning Policy Framework
The Government is consulting on further changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which sets out its planning policies for England and how they will be applied. By making the NPPF more ‘rules‐based’ and simpler to use, the Government is aiming to accelerate its ambition to build 1.5 million new homes, and the key proposals include:
- Introducing a new category of ‘medium development’ for sites between 10 to 49 homes with reduced compliance requirements, including the option to discharge social and affordable housing requirements through cash contributions in lieu of direct delivery
- Exempting from the Building Safety Levy sites of fewer than 50 homes or fewer than 120 bedspaces in purpose‐built student accommodation
- Ensuring housebuilding near train stations receives a default ‘yes’ if certain criteria are met, with a minimum density of 40 dwellings per hectare around all stations and 50 dwellings per hectare around ‘well‐connected’ stations
- Amending the definition of ‘Designated Rural Area’ to support the additional construction of affordable housing, as well as setting clearer expectations for local authorities to identify sites for accessible housing.
The deadline for responding to the consultation is Tuesday 10 March and members can respond online. In addition to the changes to the NPPF, the Government has confirmed that it will introduce an exemption from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for small sites up to 0.2 hectares. Its full response to the BNG consultation held last year will be published in due course.
Building Safety Update
The latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for the period 25 November to 22 December 2025 shows progress made with the backlog of applications and the Innovation Unit. There were 347 decisions across all application types in this period, taking the total to 727 decisions since 29 September 2025.
For applications submitted under the previous model, the approval rate now stands at 83%, up from 73%, with a further 20 decisions made during this period. However, there are still 40 ‘legacy’ new build applications awaiting decisions, which the BSR was intending to have reduced to three by the end of 2025. The Innovation Unit is currently managing 102 live new build applications. Of those applications that have received a decision from the Innovation Unit to date, 48% were deemed invalid as not all the required documentation was provided. Build UK’s guide to Gateway Two sets out the information that must be included within applications for both new and existing Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs).
The Government has published guidance to the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations, which will come into force on 6 April 2026. The guidance supports Responsible Persons to develop and implement Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in all high‐rise residential buildings, and in medium‐rise buildings which have an evacuation strategy in place.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is launching a quarterly building safety newsletter, which will include updates on legislation, guidance and remediation progress, and members can sign up to receive it.
The national regulator for construction products, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), is looking for experts to join its Register of Specialists. The register will be used to commission ad‐hoc scientific work to support the OPSS, and anyone with knowledge and expertise in civil and structural engineering, fire science, materials science, and associated disciplines is encouraged to apply.
New Member
Build UK is delighted to welcome McLaughlin & Harvey as its first new member of 2026. A 172‐year‐old privately‐owned construction and civil engineering business, McLaughlin & Harvey joins as a Contractor member, further strengthening our representation across building and infrastructure.
Electric Lorries Discount
The Government has announced additional funding of £18 million for the Plug‐in Truck Grant to encourage further take‐up of zero emission lorries. Businesses can now apply for grants of up to £120,000 (up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland), depending on the size of the lorry, until 31 March 2026.
Cold Weather Working
With the cold weather expected to continue, the HSE provides guidance on protecting workers during low temperatures, which covers legal requirements for workplace temperatures and putting appropriate control measures in place. Build UK member JSP has also published advice on selecting suitable PPE when working in cold weather to ensure workers are properly protected.
CSCS Annual Review
The CSCS Annual Review 2025, which sets out its achievements for the last 12 months, highlights the relaunch of the My CSCS App to provide the foundations of a digital skills passport for the industry. This is a key priority for Build UK to ensure Clients and other dutyholders under the Building Safety Act can demonstrate and enforce the competence of individuals working on their projects.
Right to Work Checks
The Government is continuing to increase immigration enforcement action across the UK, and construction is a priority sector. With arrests for illegal working at a record high according to the Home Office, Build UK members are reminded that they 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. A Home Office report last year revealed that 70% of employers in construction accept a driving licence but this is not an acceptable document.
Employers conducting any of the above right to work checks in accordance with the Home Office guidance will be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’. This 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.
Last Updated: 08/01/2026
Shaping the Future of Construction
Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a good break and is ready to hit the ground running. With major policy changes being implemented this year, there is a real opportunity to transform the way our industry operates. The new Planning and Infrastructure Act is designed to accelerate the construction of homes and infrastructure, the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus aims to revolutionise regulation, competence and culture, and the Government’s upcoming response to the Late Payments Consultation should help to define acceptable behaviours across the supply chain. Ensuring delivery of the pipeline stays on track will be critical, as it is far easier to ‘shift the dial’ when the industry is fully engaged across a wide range of projects.
Over the next 12 months, Build UK will continue to support members to Improve Business Performance, Demonstrate Organisational Capability, Navigate the Building Safety Regime, and Recruit, Train and Retain Talent to meet the industry’s needs now and in the future. Our ambition is to grow and strengthen the collective voice of building and infrastructure, ensuring that when decisions are made, the views, knowledge and experience of our membership are heard.
We have a packed programme of meetings and events this quarter, starting with our All Member Forum next Tuesday 13 January where we will be joined by the Interim Chief Construction Adviser, Thouria Istephan. Other key dates for your diary can be found below, and we look forward to you getting involved and contributing to moving the industry forward in 2026.
Changes to CITB Funding
Ahead of the Christmas break, CITB announced significant changes to the grants and funding available to employers, which take effect from today (8 January). With the demand for financial support due to exceed the Levy paid by employers, apprenticeship grants will be maintained but there are wide‐ranging changes to other funding, including
- Short course training grants have been removed, except for a limited number of specialist courses
- First Aid training is no longer funded
- Funding for new Level 7 long qualifications has been withdrawn
- Employer Networks are now the main route to funding for SMEs, with CITB match funding 50% of eligible courses
- Large employers will not be supported via Employer Networks after 31 March, with a new large employer fund to be introduced from 1 April.
Any training booked before 8 December 2025 which takes place between 8 January and 31 March 2026 will be eligible for the previous grant rates where evidence is provided. Large employers should ensure any training booked via Employer Networks is completed by 31 March 2026. Further information on all the changes can be found in these FAQs and a series of webinars hosted by CITB.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Latest
The Government has published its third quarterly progress report on implementing the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It confirms that work has now been completed on another five of the 58 recommendations, with progress made in relation to the following key recommendations linked to the construction industry:
- Single Construction Regulator – The Government has set out its vision for a single regulatory system for buildings, products and professionals. The Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, which will be the focus of our next Building Safety call, is open for consultation until Friday 20 March. It will be followed in the spring by a White Paper on reforming the construction products regime and a call for evidence on a new overarching strategy for building environment professionals.
- Definition of HRB – The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published its initial review of the definition of Higher‐Risk Building (HRB), which concludes that changing it would not be the ‘right course of action’ at this time, and this view is supported by the Government. The BSR has also set out plans for the ongoing review of the definition at least once a year, in conjunction with its duties under the Building Safety Act.
- Approved Document B – The Government will shortly launch a consultation on updates to Approved Document B (Fire Safety), including new provisions for evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres.
The next progress report will be published in February within the first annual report on implementing the Inquiry’s recommendations.
Building Safety Regulator Update
Following the outcome of the inquiry by the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee into the BSR, which highlighted ‘unacceptable delays’ in the BSR’s approval processes and the need for the BSR to be ‘proactive in making further changes’, the BSR has published updated guidance on submitting staged applications at Gateway Two.
The updated guidance expands the eligibility of staged applications to include single tower projects, alongside complex multiple tower developments. It confirms that stage one for single tower projects must complete the foundations, any basement level, and the structure of the ground floor level. The CLC has also published guidance on staged applications, which highlights that they should not be used for individual works packages as this can result in a lack of coordination and the risk of compliance issues. A full Gateway Two application is required for each stage of a staged application, along with a summary of subsequent stage(s) and the estimated start and end dates.
With the latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the BSR showing a continued rise in the number of decisions, the criteria used to review applications has been updated and now includes additional information on ‘Approval with Requirements’. This allows the BSR to approve an application where the design demonstrates substantive compliance with Building Regulations, subject to additional information being provided by a certain stage in the project.
The BSR has issued information on potential structural safety issues affecting reinforced concrete buildings constructed with ‘transfer slabs’. Building owners are advised to seek professional advice where a transfer slab shows visible signs of distress or there are specific concerns about the building’s condition and/or design.
#NAW2026 – Save the Date
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 will run from Monday 9 – Sunday 15 February to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships. With the theme ‘Skills for Life’, NAW 2026 will focus on the role of apprenticeships in breaking down barriers to opportunity and driving economic growth by equipping people with the skills employers need.
It is a great opportunity to showcase the value of apprenticeships in construction ahead of Open Doors Week, and we are encouraging all members to think about how they can celebrate their apprentices and the impact that they have on businesses. If you are looking for inspiration, there are lots of ideas in the NAW 2026 Toolkit. Any members in‐scope to CITB who would like support with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices should contact CITB’s New Entrant Support Team.
New Planning Act
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, with a number of the new measures coming into force with immediate effect. The new Act is key to meeting the Government’s targets for homes and major infrastructure, and Ministers will confirm in due course when the remaining reforms will take effect.
EU Carbon Levy
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) came into operation on 1 January 2026, and companies importing more than 50 tonnes of carbon‐intensive materials, such as iron, steel, cement and aluminium, into the EU per annum will now have to pay an additional levy. The UK will be introducing a similar CBAM from 1 January 2027.
New Year Honours
Congratulations to Mark Reynolds, Executive Chairman of Mace Group and Co‐Chair of the CLC, who received a CBE in the New Year Honours. Andrew McNaughton, Executive Director of AWE, was also awarded a CBE, with Hywel Davies, a member of the Building Advisory Committee, receiving an OBE.
Holiday Dates 2026
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has published the Holiday Entitlement 2026 with guidance on annual and public/bank holidays that apply across Great Britain under the CIJC Working Rule Agreement. The annual entitlement this year is 23 days plus eight public/bank holidays.
Dates for Your Diary
Tuesday 13 January (8:30am – 9:30am) – All Member ForumWe will be joined by the Interim Chief Construction Advisor, Thouria Istephan, who will outline her objectives and expectations of the industry for her 12‐month term.
Tuesday 27 January (8:30am – 9:30am) – Building Safety Call MHCLG will be discussing the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, which outlines proposals for a single regulatory system for buildings, construction products and built environment professionals.
Thursday 29 January (9:00am – 10:30am) – NHP Forum
Register now to hear from the New Hospital Programme (NHP) team, who will set out their ambitions for the year ahead and how companies of all sizes can get involved.Monday 23 to Saturday 28 March – Open Doors Week
Members across the supply chain are encouraged to promote careers in construction by hosting events at their sites, offices and other workplaces.
Click here to view the PDA’s archive of Build UK information.