BUILD UK Updates

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

Their regular updates contain important information for our industry.

Last Updated: 19/06/2025

Common Assessment Standard – Version 5

Build UK will be publishing an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard on 1 July 2025. This will be Version 5 and the Building Safety section, which was introduced a year ago, will be updated and become mandatory for completion by all companies carrying out design or building work under the Building Safety Act.

The new version will also contain updates to the Corporate & Professional Standing; Environmental; and Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) sections to reflect the latest legislation and guidance. Companies going through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard after 1 July will be required to complete the updated question set, and a number of Build UK Contractor members will be specifying that certain Specialist Contractors within their supply chains must have successfully completed the Building Safety section by 1 October.

There is a growing list of organisations across both the public and private sectors using the Common Assessment Standard to demonstrate that members of their supply chains have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act. Companies need to obtain certification only once from any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies, and those wishing to see a reduction in the bureaucracy of pre-qualification should review the different certifications they hold to see if they have the Common Assessment Standard more than once and whether that is required for any reason.

Bank of England Update

Build UK hosted its annual roundtable with the Bank of England last month, which offered a fascinating insight into the state of the UK economy and the issues impacting the construction sector. There have already been two cuts to interest rates this year but the current rate of 4.25% is still at a restrictive level and likely holding back growth.

The current uncertainty around global tariffs is also restricting investment and this is likely to impact activity across the construction sector. The Bank is targeting 2% price inflation but warned it was currently at 3.5% and likely to stay above target for some time due to energy and wage costs, and Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, sets out how to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project.

Whilst members across the industry reported solid forward order books, many projects are facing delays in ‘go-ahead’ decisions, and housing continues to experience challenges due to planning delays and the building safety regime. The increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) has also had a significant impact, with some members holding back on capital investment and recruitment as a result. Certainty remains key for businesses across the supply chain to give them the confidence to invest in people, equipment and technology.

Preparing for Gateway Three

Build UK continues to work closely with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to help members navigate the building safety regime and recently hosted a meeting for those involved in the development of Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) to understand the information that is required in an application for a completion certificate at Gateway Three.

The BSR confirmed at the meeting that Gateway Three applications should demonstrate how the building was constructed and serve as an update to the information that was submitted at Gateway Two when applying for Building Control Approval. A number of ‘sticky points’ were identified where more clarity and consistency is required, including controlled changes, partial completion strategies, and the relationship between the building safety regime and other contractual obligations. Building on our Gateway Two guidance published earlier this year, Build UK will be producing an overview of Gateway Three and the information that must be included within an application for a completion certificate, as the first step towards helping members navigate the process.

National Housing Bank

Ahead of publication of its 10-year Infrastructure Strategy today, the Government has announced the creation of a publicly-owned National Housing Bank, backed with £16 billion of financial capacity on top of £6 billion of existing finance in this Parliament, to accelerate housebuilding and leverage £53 billion of private investment to deliver over 500,000 new homes.

Hot Weather Guidance

In the current hot weather, the HSE is reminding employers to ensure workers are protected. Whilst there is no legal maximum working temperature, employers must take steps to protect workers in hot weather, and there is a range of guidance on working safely in extreme temperatures, including the HSE’s Temperature in the Workplace and the Government’s Beat the Heat.

Abnormal Loads

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has published new national guidance to support police forces in managing the movement of abnormal loads across the UK. It is designed to ensure a more consistent approach in key areas such as embargoes on movement, police escorts, and a 30-day window for acceptance of movement notifications.

Plant Grants

CITB has launched the next phase of plant training standards as part of standardising plant training across the industry. CITB-registered employers can claim short course grants for the training, which vary based on the plant category and experience level, or book it through the Employer Networks, where CITB will pay a proportion of the course cost.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

As the CEF celebrates its 80^th year, we are delighted to be members of the ‘youngster’ that is Build UK! Our members and the wider construction industry in Northern Ireland have benefitted from the unified voice and robust leadership and guidance provided by Build UK on a range of topics that cut across our sector.” 

Mark Spence, Chief Executive of the CEF

Open Doors 2025 took place across the whole of the UK with events in Northern Ireland for the first time, and our review shows how it inspired a record 7,000 visitors to consider a career in construction.

Last Updated: 12/06/2025

Spending Review Supports Homes and Infrastructure

The Chancellor unveiled her Spending Review yesterday, promising to deliver investment, jobs and growth in every part of the country as part of ‘renewing’ Britain. She outlined £113 billion of capital investment over the next three years, with economic and social infrastructure at the heart of the Government’s plans to facilitate better public services, connect towns and cities, and improve people’s lives. The key points for construction included:

£39 billion for a new Affordable Homes Programme to help build affordable and social housing over 10 years
£15.6 billion for local transport upgrades across nine city regions outside of London and £2.2 billion for Transport for London’s capital renewals programme
£30 billion for nuclear power, including £14.2 billion to build Sizewell C nuclear power station and £2.5 billion for the Small Modular Reactor programme
£7 billion for the renewal of military accommodation, including £1.5 billion of new investment for rapid work to fix forces family housing
£2.4 billion per year for the School Rebuilding Programme over the next four years and £2.3 billion per year to fix and maintain existing schools
£1.2 billion of additional skills funding to support over 1.3 million 16 – 19-year-olds to access training.

The Government is expected to publish its 10‐year Infrastructure Strategy next week, setting out in one place a long-term plan for delivering and maintaining the country’s economic, social and housing infrastructure. The strategy will be followed by a pipeline of projects, due to be published before Parliamentary recess begins on 22 July, which will provide more granular detail of all the projects. Taken together, they should be a step forward in giving businesses across the industry the confidence they need to plan and invest.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), which will oversee the implementation of the Infrastructure Strategy, will be joining our next All Member Forum on Tuesday 1 July at 8:30am to give an overview and look ahead to publication of the pipeline.

NHP Gathers Pace

The New Hospital Programme (NHP) is one of the largest infrastructure programmes in the UK and will deliver the next generation of hospitals. The Government confirmed earlier this year that it had secured three five‐year waves of investment until 2039, averaging £3 billion a year from 2030, to give the industry the certainty it needs to deliver.

Eleven tier one contractors are expected to be appointed to the NHP Hospital 2.0 Alliance framework by the end of 2025 and there will be significant opportunities for local supply chains. NHP, which is a member of Build UK, will be advertising contracts worth more than £30,000 on the Government’s Contracts Finder and those over £139,688 on Find a Tender. Sub-contracts will be advertised on CompeteFor, the free online platform that connects clients with suppliers. Members interested in getting involved in the programme can sign up to receive regular updates from the NHP.

Digital Skills Passport Launched

CSCS has launched an updated version of its My CSCS App to provide the basis of a ‘digital skills passport’, as recommended by Mark Farmer in his Industry Training Board (ITB) Review to enable Clients and other dutyholders under the Building Safety Act to demonstrate and enforce the competence of individuals working on their projects.

The new My Skills section within the app allows an individual to store in one place their qualifications; successful completion of the Health, Safety and Environment Test; and any additional training and CPD undertaken. Users can generate a CV-style summary of the information within the app, which can be shared with employers and others as part of demonstrating the skills and knowledge elements of competence.

The My CSCS App also holds an individual’s digital CSCS card, which is identical to the traditional plastic version and shows their photo, qualifications, training, occupation and the expiry date of the card. Build UK members should now be using CSCS Smart Check to check all 2.3 million cards carrying the CSCS logo, issued by the CSCS Alliance schemes.

H&S and Environmental Manuals

The H&S Manual contains reference to the new BS 5975 standard for temporary works and NASC’s TG30 for system scaffolding as well as updated guidance on the use of plant on site, sanitary provision in toilets, and Respiratory Protective Equipment with support from JSP, whilst the Environmental Manual includes CLOCS Standard Version 5, revised minimum energy efficiency standards, and the separation and storage of waste on-site.

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’.

Men’s Health Strategy

This week is Men’s Health Week and employers are being encouraged to complete and share with their employees a call for evidence from Government, which will help to shape the first ever Men’s Health Strategy for England. The deadline for responding to the online survey is 17 July.

Grenfell Documentary

Netflix will be releasing Grenfell: Uncovered on Friday 20 June, a feature-length documentary film that will set out the chain of events that led to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, “highlighting each warning and failing revealing it to be the inevitable result of Government neglect and cynical industry practices”.

CLC H&S Summit

Build UK members have been invited to join the inaugural CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Summit on Tuesday 1 July from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Institute of Directors in London to reflect on the industry’s health, safety and wellbeing performance. If you are intending to send a representative, please register with the CLC directly.

InstallerSHOW Tickets

InstallerSHOW is taking place from Tuesday 24 ‐ Thursday 26 June at the NEC, Birmingham, with an extensive speaker programme and more than 800 exhibitors focussed on the sustainable delivery of heat, water, air, energy and building technology. Register for your free ticket now to get the latest information on industry trends.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

Build UK plays a crucial role in driving collaboration and improving industry standards. As a member, we gain valuable insights, influence policy, and connect with key stakeholders, helping us to navigate regulatory changes such as the Building Safety Act and advance digital transformation in construction.”

Brett King, Director of Industry Transformation EMEA at Procore

Build UK has published a range of guidance on the new building safety regime, including an overview of the validation stage at Gateway Two and the documents that must be included in an application for Building Control Approval for a Higher-Risk Building.

Last Updated: 05/06/2025

Government Commitment to Improving Building Safety

The Government has published its first progress report on implementing the recommendations from the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Confirming it will take action on all 58 recommendations, including introducing a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors wishing to work on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), the Government has committed to publishing quarterly progress reports, with the next one in September to include an overall timeline for implementation and delivery. It is expected to take at least four years for all the recommendations to be completed due to the need for primary legislation, which is subject to Parliamentary time.

Building Safety Minister Alex Norris held a follow up meeting with industry this week to report on progress with accelerating the Building Control Approval process for HRBs. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) committed to improving its Gateway Two process by increasing the number of Registered Building Inspectors assessing applications, working with industry to provide more guidance, and increasing the level of engagement with applicants. Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol requested that a plan of work be agreed, with deadlines for delivery, to provide confidence across the sector that changes will be implemented.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has provided an update on whether rooftop gardens should be counted as a storey when determining whether a building is an HRB, following the outcome of a tribunal last year. MHCLG is consulting with the BSR to amend the Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023 to make it clear that roof gardens should not be counted as a storey, and the industry should continue to follow the existing guidance to this effect in the meantime.

The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has published its first annual report outlining progress against its strategic objectives, together with a first guidance document for consultation on demonstrating and managing competence. The Chair of the ICC, Jon Vanstone, will be joining our next Building Safety call on Tuesday 17 June at 8:30am to provide an overview of the ICC’s work, including how it is assisting the industry to create clear competence pathways.

Construction Skills Funding

The Government has announced a ‘record-breaking’ £3 billion apprenticeship budget for 2025-26 as it looks to ‘refocus the skills landscape towards young, domestic talent’. A raft of new measures aim to deliver an additional 120,000 training opportunities for young people, including 30,000 more apprenticeship starts by 2029, and include:

Implementing a 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, which will deliver up to 45,000 additional domestic training places.
Removing Apprenticeship Levy funding for Level 7 (masters level) apprenticeships for individuals aged 22 and over from 1 January 2026. Funding will remain available for those aged 16 – 21 and existing apprentices.
Launching 13 new Level 2 construction courses for adults under the Free Courses for Jobs scheme.

These latest measures are in addition to those announced as part of the £600 million of funding to train up to 60,000 additional skilled construction workers by 2029, which include expanding Construction Skills Bootcamps and opening 10 technical excellence colleges specialising in construction skills.

Skills England is now fully established and the Education Secretary has set out its priorities for 2025/26, which include understanding future skills needs, improving the skills offer, and simplifying access to skills for both employers and individuals. Skills England has published a sector skills needs assessment for construction which identifies the key issues facing the industry, including low completion and retention rates for apprenticeships and a training model that is too complex and administrative-heavy for many SMEs.

Inspiring Careers in Construction

With a fantastic 88% of visitors to #OpenDoors25 confirming they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, we are delighted to share our review of this year’s event highlighting its impact on recruiting the next generation, and a huge thank you again to all of you who got involved and helped show what our industry has to offer!

With your support, we hosted events across the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland for the first time, and showcased the diverse range of opportunities available in the industry to a record 7,000 visitors from 17 – 22 March. We not only inspired those who attended events but significantly raised the profile of careers in construction through increased media coverage, and you can find out more in our Open Doors update.

Open Doors will return from Monday 23 ‐ Saturday 28 March 2026 so please save the dates in your diary and further information will follow over the summer.

Right to Work Checks

With a report from the Home Office revealing that 79% of employers are still conducting manual right to work checks, Build UK members are reminded that this is just one of three options available for ensuring an individual has the right to work in the UK and that digital solutions are more suitable for workers from overseas.

Use a certified digital Identity Service Provider (IDSP) to conduct digital checks on any individual who has either a British or Irish Passport (or Irish Passport Card). The employer is still required to check that the prospective employee matches the person presenting the document, 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. The Home Office report highlights 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 means that, in the event they are found to be employing someone illegally, they will not have to pay a fine, which is a maximum of £45,000 per worker for a first offence and £60,000 for repeated offences.

Build UK AGM

The 2025 Build UK AGM will be held on Tuesday 23 September at 8:30am at the start of an online All Member Forum. The Board for 2025/26 will be appointed at the AGM and any Contractor or Trade Association members interested in submitting a nomination should email Build UK by Monday 30 June.

Inflation Guidance

With inflation increasing to 3.5% in April and the outlook uncertain due to changes in global tariffs, Build UK has updated its guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, which sets out how to manage the risks associated with price volatility, including the use of fluctuations provisions.

Speeding Up Build Out

The Government has announced new proposals to ensure housebuilders ‘get on and build’, which include requiring them to commit to delivery timeframes before planning permission is granted and to submit annual reports on their progress, with a new Delayed Homes Penalty for those who fail to build out consented sites. The deadline for responses is Monday 7 July.

Construction Products

Build UK submitted a high-level response to the consultation on the Construction Products Reform Green Paper setting out the essential elements required of the regulatory regime from the perspective of users of construction products, who should be able to trust what is on the market and be provided with accurate and reliable information about the products they specify or buy.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“In what can feel like a fragmented industry, Build UK provides us with greater access, stronger connections and the opportunity to bridge the gaps. We’ve benefited from a huge amount of information and insights across the UK construction sector and the team has consistently been a beacon when needed, offering clarity, leadership and guidance on how best to navigate forward.”

Paul David Munnelly, Chief Executive of Munnelly Group
Build UK’s member updates provide a clear and concise summary of the key issues affecting the industry, specifically tailored for members with clear calls to action as required.

Last Updated: 22/05/2025

Securing the Future of Construction

With its ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes and fast‐track 150 major infrastructure projects during this Parliament, the Government has promised to ‘get Britain building’ and is focussed on overcoming the blockers and unlocking investment. The 10‐year Infrastructure Strategy, which will be published alongside the Spending Review on 11 June, will be followed by a pipeline of projects that should be a step forward in giving businesses the confidence they need to plan and invest.

Ensuring that the industry has sufficient skills is key, and the Construction Skills Mission Board has been set up by the Government to oversee £600 million of funding that has been made available to train up to 60,000 additional skilled construction workers by 2029. The Mission Board is chaired by Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Build UK member Mace, and supported by CITB, and the provisional results of this year’s Consensus process published earlier this week show that 67% of employers agreed that the CITB Levy is necessary to encourage adequate training in the industry. However, Build UK is clear that the Levy is just one part of the overall skills system needed to deliver the capacity required to meet the UK’s homes and infrastructure needs.

Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent is just one of our priorities as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Build UK this year, and thanks to all those members who have sent us a quote showcasing the value of membership. By providing a strong collective voice for the sector over the last decade, we have been able to deliver fundamental change on a wide range of key issues, including payment and pre‐qualification. Our celebrations will conclude with a fantastic event at The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate on the evening of Wednesday 19 November and we look forward to seeing many of you there!

The Build UK update will be taking a break following the bank holiday next week and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 5 June with all the latest industry news.

Gateway Two Update

Chief Inspector of Buildings Philip White has published an article on the role of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the Building Control Authority for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), which acknowledges the delays with applications at Gateway Two and reveals around 70% are being rejected “because they don’t meet the legal requirements”.

The BSR has identified a number of reasons why applications are being rejected, which we have reproduced below, and it has published a case study to reinforce its role in ensuring that an HRB complies with Building Regulations and is safe to occupy. According to the BSR, 44% of applications are still being rejected at the validation stage “because they are missing basic information”, and Build UK’s overview of the documents that must be included within an application is designed to help improve the success rate.

The BSR has also updated the online portal for submitting and managing applications for Building Control Approval. For applications submitted after 1 April 2025, applicants can now create folders for their applications and supporting documents to help the BSR when assessing them.

Countdown to InstallerSHOW

InstallerSHOW is back and bigger than ever for 2025! The event focussed on the sustainable delivery of heat, water, air, energy and building technology is taking place from Tuesday 24 ‐ Thursday 26 June at the NEC, Birmingham. It is set to welcome more than 30,000 professionals and will be packed full of solutions for any scale project.

With an extensive speaker programme, including Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol who will be presenting at the Building Safety Forum on the first day, plus a full‐scale house build and more than 800 exhibitors, Build UK members can discover new products, network and get the latest on industry trends to help deliver sustainable buildings on the route to net zero.

InstallerSHOW is a Build UK member and the three‐day event is free to attend, including parking, although members must register for tickets in advance via the InstallerSHOW website.

New Apprenticeships

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has published details of the first foundation apprenticeships, including three in construction: building service engineering, finishing trades and onsite trades. The earliest start date for each apprenticeship is 1 August 2025, once legislation is passed to allow for apprenticeships shorter than 12 months

PAS 9980 Update

The BSI is consulting on an updated version of PAS 9980, which sets out how to carry out a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) on existing blocks of flats. The revised version addresses buildings that do and do not need a FRAEW and includes process diagrams showing the methodology for undertaking a FRAEW. The deadline for submitting comments is Friday 6 June.

Building Awards 2025

Build UK is supporting the Building Awards again this year and entries are open across 20 categories until next Friday 30 May! The awards are a fantastic opportunity for members across the supply chain to showcase your achievements and the hard work of your teams, and you can register for free to view the criteria for each category.

Business Growth Service

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is developing a Business Growth Service to make it easier for SMEs to find Government advice and support. DBT is looking for feedback on what should be included within the new service, and any Build UK Trade Association members that would like to provide input should contact the DBT team.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Build UK is a conduit for more effective communication between developers, clients and the construction market. Having everyone around the same table has created a much bigger construction information portal providing a network that we can all feed off, and without Build UK I am not sure where else that would happen.”

Tony Wall, Head of Development Team at Stanhope
Our wide‐ranging programme of meetings and events enables Build UK to respond quickly and effectively to issues whilst giving members the opportunity to hear from each other and share ideas.

Last Updated: 20/05/2025

Industry Confirms Support for CITB Levy

CITB has published the provisional results of this year’s Consensus process, which show that 67% of employers that are liable to pay the Levy agreed that the Levy proposals are necessary to encourage adequate training in the construction industry. Of the 14 Prescribed Organisations, 12 voted in favour, including Build UK, and these results were combined with those of employers not in membership of a Prescribed Organisation. Build UK received a response from all Contractor members that are liable to pay the Levy, as well as all Trade Association members with Specialist Contractors that are liable to pay the Levy, and the majority agreed with the Levy proposals.

We highlighted in our response to CITB that the Levy is just one part of the overall skills system that is required by industry and it should not be viewed in isolation. We also submitted an updated version of our ‘Levy In ‐ Skills Out’ proposal, which sets out the core elements of the skills system needed to recruit, train and retain the talent the industry needs, along with what members expect in return for paying the Levy. In order to commit to investment in skills, employers require certainty of pipeline and the 10‐year Infrastructure Strategy, due to be published by the Government later this year, should give them the confidence to make that investment, and the industry will need an effective skills system in place to deliver the capacity required to meet the UK’s homes and infrastructure needs.

CITB has now submitted the Levy proposals together with the results of Consensus to the Department for Education, and it is expected that the next Levy Order will be in place by spring 2026. If approved, the Levy will remain at 0.35% for PAYE and 1.25% for NET CIS Sub‐Contractors, with the Levy Exemption and Reduction Thresholds rising to £150,000 and £500,000 respectively.

Changes to Immigration

The Government has published an Immigration White Paper which seeks to reduce net migration by increasing the training of domestic workers and raising the threshold for those seeking to work in the UK. Construction is identified as a sector reliant on overseas workers and the changes to the Points‐Based Immigration System will include:

Raising the threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa from RQF Level 3 (A‐level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level equivalent)
Abolishing the Immigration Salary List and increasing the Immigration Skills Charge by 32%
Creating a ‘Temporary Shortage List’ to provide time limited access to the immigration system for occupations with a skills requirement between RQF Levels 3 ‐ 5 where there have been long term shortages and the Migration Advisory Committee has advised it is justified
Increasing the minimum language requirements for Skilled Workers.

The changes will be delivered over the course of this Parliament, with the Government committing to introduce the first ones in the coming weeks. Build UK’s flowchart providing an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK will be updated as the changes come into effect.

Leadership and Management Training

Leadership and management training plays a crucial role on construction sites by contributing towards a safe working environment for all staff, and CITB is funding delivery of the ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management Practice for the Construction and Built Environment Sector at a reduced rate of £154 for a limited time.

Build UK Professional Services member MKC Training is one of only two training providers able to deliver the course through CITB. The course, which is open to construction site managers and supervisors of in‐scope employers across Great Britain, is delivered in two parts: part 1 across two consecutive days and part 2 across three consecutive days a week later. Participants can complete the course in person or online and will achieve a qualification which can be used to gain the CSCS Academically Qualified Person card.

The CITB funding is expected to run until March 2026, and members can contact MKC Training to learn more about the course and how to sign up.

Open Doors Impact

Open Doors may be over for another year but we continue to receive super feedback which shows its impact goes on long after the event! 88% of visitors said they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, and please ensure you have followed up with everyone who attended your events with information on the opportunities available in the industry.

Mental Health

With a recent report from Build UK member CIOB revealing that 58% of construction workers are often stressed, research by the University of Warwick has identified a number of themes which reveal some of the changes required to overcome the underlying issues, including a high level of self‐employment, pressures of delivering to tight timescales, long hours and working away from home.

CSCS Card Fraud

CSCS is committed to tackling card fraud and there are four types to be aware of: qualification fraud, centre malpractice, advanced fee fraud, and fake or forged cards and certificates. By using CSCS Smart Check, members can check all 2.2 million cards carrying the CSCS logo with the same platform and help to identify fraudulent cards.

STEM Ambassadors

The Go Construct STEM Ambassador team is hosting a series of webinars to provide an overview of the STEM Ambassadors programme and how individuals and businesses can get involved to inspire the next generation. The next available webinar is taking place on Tuesday 17 June at 1:00pm and members can register to attend online.

Get Ready for the Employment Rights Bill

With the Employment Rights Bill expected to receive Royal Assent this summer, Build UK Partner Citation has published an overview of the reforms set out in the Bill to help construction employers understand the potential impact on their businesses. The Bill has been described by the Government as the ‘biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’, and the guide outlines each of the proposals which fall broadly into three categories: new rights and protections for workers; fair pay, terms and working conditions; and enforcement and trade unions. Employers are encouraged to prepare for the changes by reviewing their current processes, with a focus on more effective recruitment and induction of employees, as well as robust performance reviews.

Further detail on many of the reforms will be provided through regulations after the Bill has received Royal Assent, with most of the policies expected to be in force by April 2026. The Government has published factsheets on each of the reforms which include responses to frequently asked questions by employers. Build UK members can access free advice from Citation on the changes required by the Bill and other employment law issues by calling 0161 504 0843 or requesting a call and stating they are a member of Build UK.

Last Updated: 15/05/2025

Build UK Responds to CITB Consensus

Following an extensive consultation process with members, Build UK has submitted its response to CITB Consensus confirming support for the Levy. Build UK received a response from all Contractor members that are liable to pay the Levy, as well as all Trade Association members with Specialist Contractors that are liable to pay the Levy, and the majority agreed that the Levy proposals are necessary to encourage adequate training in the construction industry.

Build UK highlighted that the Levy is just one part of the overall skills system that is required by industry and it should not be viewed in isolation. Alongside our response, we submitted an updated version of our ‘Levy In – Skills Out’ proposal, which sets out the core elements of the skills system needed to recruit, train and retain the talent the industry needs, along with what members expect in return for paying the Levy. In order to commit to investment in skills, employers require certainty of pipeline and the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, due to be published by the Government later this year, should give them the confidence to make that investment, and the industry will need an effective skills system in place to deliver the capacity required to meet the UK’s homes and infrastructure needs.

CITB is expected to confirm the outcome of Consensus next week. If it is achieved, a new Levy Order will then be made by the Secretary of State authorising CITB to collect a Levy from in-scope employers until 2029.

Changes to Immigration

Raising the threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level equivalent)
Abolishing the Immigration Salary List and increasing the Immigration Skills Charge by 32%
Creating a ‘Temporary Shortage List’ to provide time limited access to the immigration system for occupations with a skills requirement between RQF Levels 3 – 5 where there have been long term shortages and the Migration Advisory Committee has advised it is justified
Increasing the minimum language requirements for Skilled Workers

Demonstrating Competence

Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing an individual or organisation to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure they are competent. Individuals are required to have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, whilst organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’

For organisations, the Common Assessment Standard is an established third‐party certification scheme, which requires the appropriate management policies, procedures and systems to be in place, and an updated version will be published on 1 July 2025. From this date, the Building Safety section will become mandatory for all companies carrying out work under the Act, and a number of Build UK Contractor members will be specifying that certain specialist trades must have successfully completed it by 1 October 2025.

For individuals, cards carrying the CSCS logo provide evidence of their qualifications and training for the job that they do on site, as part of determining competence. The Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), which is made up of a number of sector‐led groups, is leading the work to produce competence frameworks for each occupation, and those elements that can be assessed will then be reflected on the relevant CSCS card. The ICSG is expected to publish an update on progress later this month.

More building safety news can be found in our latest Building Safety update and the next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 17 June at 8:30am with your nominated Building Safety representative receiving the details directly.

The Impact of Open Doors

Open Doors may be over for another year but we continue to receive super feedback which shows its impact on inspiring the next generation to choose a career in construction goes on long after the event! A fantastic 95% of visitors rated their visit as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ and 88% were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit.

From college tutors who confirmed it was “a real insight for [their] students to back up what they learn about construction in college” to students who felt it was like “a glimpse into their future and ignited [their] passion to be part of the industry”, Open Doors gave a record 7,000 visitors an exclusive insight into what it is like to work in construction. With research showing that children often hold assumptions about ‘appropriate’ jobs for their gender by the age of six, we have also been delighted to hear from teachers whose pupils were “literally buzzing with excitement” after their visits. Build UK Deputy Chief Executive Jo Fautley’s son, Parker, wrote in First News about his visit to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, introducing the idea of a career in construction to its 2.6 million 7 – 14 year old readers.

We will be publishing our review of #OpenDoors25 shortly and please ensure you have followed up with everyone who attended your events with information on the opportunities available in the industry. Build UK has published information on Degree Apprenticeships in Construction to help potential new entrants who may be interested in joining via this route

Working Rule Agreement

The CIJC Working Rule Agreement (WRA) has been updated to include the increased annual holiday entitlement from 2025 and new information on CPD. The WRA should be reviewed in conjunction with the latest Promulgation Notice, and members can download a free PDF version and purchase hard copies from the CIP website.

US Trade Deal

The Government has signed a trade deal with the US, which will lower tariffs on a number of products exported to the US. This includes tariffs on steel and aluminium, which have been reduced to 0% with immediate effect. The Government continues to work on securing reciprocal tariffs for other products still subject to a 10% tariff.

MMC Standard

The BSI has published PAS 8700, sponsored by MHCLG, to standardise and streamline the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in new-build residential properties. It covers project set up, design, information management, delivery and assembly, and maintenance and repair.

Hydrogen Plant

Hydrogen-fuelled non-road mobile construction and agricultural plant and machinery, such as cranes, diggers and forklifts, can now be driven legally on public highways across the UK, after the Government amended the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations from 29 April 2025.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“We are incredibly grateful to Build UK for championing the specialist trades and their vital role in the construction supply chain. The team is consistently supporting our needs and providing guidance on numerous issues and was particularly helpful in representing the industry throughout the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Kay Porter, Chief Executive of The Tile Association (TTA)

The coordination, guidance and support we provided during COVID-19 kept the industry open throughout every lockdown, with 99% of sites adopting the Site Operating Procedures developed by Build UK.

Last Updated: 14/05/2025

Demonstrating Competence

Thanks to all those members who joined our last Building Safety call and shared up to date feedback on the implementation of the building safety regime. As well as discussing the ongoing challenges with Gateway Two, it offered the opportunity to look ahead to other key issues facing the industry, including competence. Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing an individual or organisation to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure they are competent. Individuals are required to have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, whilst organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’.

For organisations, the Common Assessment Standard is an established third‐party certification scheme, which requires the appropriate management policies, procedures and systems to be in place, and an updated version will be published on 1 July 2025. From this date, the Building Safety section will become mandatory for all companies carrying out work under the Act, and a number of Build UK Contractor members will be specifying that certain specialist trades must have successfully completed it by 1 October 2025.

For individuals, cards carrying the CSCS logo provide evidence of their qualifications and training for the job that they do on site, as part of determining competence. The Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), which is made up of a number of sector‐led groups, is leading the work to produce competence frameworks for each occupation, and those elements that can be assessed will then be reflected on the relevant CSCS card. The ICSG is expected to publish an update on progress later this month.

Our next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 17 June at 8:30am and your nominated Building Safety representative will shortly receive the details directly.

Navigating Gateway Two

Earlier this month, Build UK updated its guide to the validation stage at Gateway Two, which sets out the documents that should be included within an application for Building Control Approval for a Higher-Risk Building (HRB). The May 2025 version confirms the following in line with the most recent guidance published by the BSR:

· Building Control Approval is not required for building work which consists only of exempt work, work carried out under a Competent Person Scheme, or an emergency repair to an existing HRB

· For ‘staged applications’, applicants are advised to contact the BSR prior to submission

· The ‘Description of Proposed Work’ document is being used by the BSR as a ‘project summary’ to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required of the Registered Building Inspector (RBI) when assembling the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

· Clarification on what should be included within the Construction Control Plan

· In the event an application is rejected, the BSR has advised that any new application should reference the previous one to enable the same MDT to be appointed.

In light of the significant issues with Gateway Two and the potential impact on the Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes, Building Safety Minister Alex Norris held a roundtable with industry leaders, including Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol, to understand what can be done to overcome them. The industry called for a ‘reset’ and urged the BSR to review the process, including providing greater clarity on what is expected within applications for Building Control Approval and increasing engagement with applicants. There was also a clear view that the BSR should share information on why applications are being rejected and publish regular updates on performance against the statutory timescales

Construction Products Reform

The Construction Products Reform Green Paper is seeking views on reforming the construction products regime in four key areas: product requirements, testing and certification, information, and the regulatory regime. With two thirds of products not currently covered by the regulatory regime, one of the key proposals is to bring them all in scope.

The majority of Build UK members specify and install construction products and it is essential that they are provided with accurate and reliable information by manufacturers and suppliers. Information should include when a product is appropriate for a particular use and when it isn’t, the risks it may present throughout its lifecycle, and instructions as to its correct handling, installation, maintenance and operation. Any changes to the regulatory regime should ensure that manufacturers and suppliers have clear duties for which they are held accountable, and users of their products should be entitled to trust that they are meeting their obligations, providing a continuous chain of responsibility. Build UK will be submitting a high-level response reflecting this position by the consultation deadline of next Wednesday 21 May.

Registration of HRBs

Under Section 77 of the Building Safety Act, a High-Rise Residential Building must be registered with the BSR before being occupied. A new building can only be registered once a completion certificate has been obtained at Gateway Three, and enforcement action may be taken if any part of a building is occupied without being registered.

There is no specified timescale for the BSR to complete the registration process following the submission of an application. Regulation 5 of the Building Safety (Registration of Higher-Risk Buildings and Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2023 requires the BSR to update the register within 14 days of receiving changes to registration information, and Build UK understands that this is the timescale being applied when a new building is first registered.

Building Safety Director

The HSE is recruiting for a new Director of Building Safety after Philip White confirmed that he would be stepping down from this role whilst remaining as Chief Inspector of Buildings in a part-time capacity. The Director role will become the full-time operational leader of the BSR and applications close next Tuesday 20 May.

BSR Charges

The BSR has increased its fees for carrying out a range of building control functions from 1 April 2025. This includes processing an application for Building Control Approval at Gateway Two which now incurs an application fee of £189 plus the time spent reviewing it charged at £151 per hour per person working on the application.

Building Control Panel

The Government has announced the appointment of five members to a new Building Control Independent Panel, which was one of the recommendations in the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The panel will conduct a review of the current Building Control model and is expected to provide a report to the Government in the autumn.

Scotland Update

The Scottish Government has published its response to the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It has accepted all the recommendations as far as they apply in Scotland and set out how it will work with the UK Government to develop proposals to meet the recommendations on ‘reserved matters’ that are not devolved to the Scottish Government.

Cladding Remediation Update

The latest data release from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) covering all the remediation programmes for residential buildings 11 metres and over in England shows remediation works have been completed on 33% of the 5,031 buildings identified up to the end of March 2025, with work underway on a further 16%.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan has set a target to remediate all buildings 18 metres and over by 2029 and work has now been completed on 88% of the 515 buildings identified with unsafe ACM cladding.

Since the Government first began reporting on all the remediation programmes in October 2023, a further 1,234 buildings with unsafe cladding have been identified. The next data release will be published on 22 May.

Last Updated: 08/05/2025

Get Ready for the Employment Rights Bill

With the Employment Rights Bill expected to receive Royal Assent this summer, Build UK Partner Citation has published an overview of the reforms set out in the Bill to help construction employers understand the potential impact on their businesses and what they need to do to prepare. The Bill has been described by the Government as the ‘biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’, and the guide outlines each of the proposals which fall broadly into three categories: new rights and protections for workers; fair pay, terms and working conditions; and enforcement and trade unions.

Key reforms include removing the existing two‐year qualifying period for protection against unfair dismissal; introducing a ‘day one’ right to paternity, parental and bereavement leave and Statutory Sick Pay; and making flexible working the default for all employees unless an employer can prove it is unreasonable. The Citation guide is designed to help employers plan for the changes by reviewing their current processes, with a focus on more effective recruitment and induction of employees, and members will need to provide basic contact information to download it.

Further detail on many of the reforms will be provided through regulations after the Bill has received Royal Assent, with most of the policies expected to be in force by April 2026. The Government has published factsheets on each of the reforms which include responses to frequently asked questions by employers. Build UK members can access free advice from Citation on the changes required by the Bill and other employment law issues by calling 0161 504 0843 or requesting a call and stating they are a member of Build UK.

Contract Terms Recommendation

With recent figures revealing that the construction industry experienced the highest number of insolvencies over the past year, the resilience of the supply chain remains a priority, and Build UK’s contract terms recommendation identifies six contract terms which should be avoided to promote collaboration and ensure a fair allocation of risk:

Fitness for Purpose – Do not include a ‘fitness for purpose’ standard of care for design (except in the process sector)
Unquantifiable Risks – Do not include delay/loss and expense risk where not reasonably ascertainable for dealing with asbestos; fossils, antiquities and other objects of interest or value; unexploded ordnance; and the carrying out by statutory bodies of work in pursuance of their statutory obligations
‘Specified Perils’ – Do not include that ‘Specified Perils’ (as defined in JCT) will not give rise to extension of time where caused by the (sub-)contractor
Breach of Contract – Do not include a blanket indemnity for breach of contract
Uncapped Liabilities – Do not include uncapped (sub-)contractor liability (save for certain aggregate cap carve-outs)
Performance Securities – Do not use a pure on-demand performance bond; a Parent Company Guarantee (PCG) which does not include a ‘no greater liability’ clause and equivalent rights of defence; or a collateral warranty which does not include a ‘no greater liability’ clause.

We have published comprehensive guidance to help implement the recommendation, explaining why each term should not be used and setting out ways to manage the underlying issues more effectively, with specific guidance for JCT and NEC contracts. The recommendation is non‐binding and Build UK members are free to negotiate their own contractual terms with their clients.

Creating a Digital Skills Passport

The Industry Training Board (ITB) Review undertaken by Mark Farmer recommended the development of an ‘industry-wide digital skills passport system’, which would enable Clients and other dutyholders under the Building Safety Act to demonstrate and enforce the competence of individuals appointed to work on their projects.

In response to the recommendation, CSCS is updating its My CSCS app to hold digital records of a cardholder’s qualifications; successful completion of the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test; and any CPD and additional training required for particular occupations. Due to be launched in June, the updated version of the app can be read using CSCS Smart Check, creating the digital skills passport for construction and providing an industry-wide solution to demonstrating the skills and knowledge elements of competence.

Build UK is working closely with CSCS on the development of the My CSCS app as the industry’s digital skills passport system, and any members that are interested in getting involved should email Build UK.

Infrastructure Bill

Minister for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook has confirmed in a written statement to Parliament that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which could boost the economy by £7.5 billion, will be amended to remove the statutory requirement for developers to consult with certain stakeholders before applying for consent for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from next Monday 12 ‐ Sunday 18 May and the theme this year is ‘community’. Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for mental health and wellbeing, and the Mental Health Foundation has published 10 ways to get involved with your community. Members can get involved on social media during the week using the hashtag #ThisIsMyCommunity.

Construction Products

The Construction Products Reform Green Paper is seeking views on proposals to reform the construction products regime. With two thirds of construction products not covered within the regulatory regime, one of the key proposals is to bring all products in scope, with additional requirements for those that are safety critical. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 21 May.

JCT Contracts

Following publication of the JCT 2024 Edition, JCT has announced that contracts from the previous JCT 2016 Edition will be withdrawn from sale on 31 March 2026. Whilst contracts from both editions will continue to be available to purchase in digital format and hardcopy until this date, members are encouraged to use JCT 2024 to ensure that their contracts are up to date.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“As a responsible business, we know that our relationships with our strategic suppliers are critical to our success. Build UK provides a very effective forum for us to work with our peers, partners and Government to shift the dial on important issues such as payment performance and sustainability, which in turn benefits the entire construction supply chain.”

Jason Millett, Chief Executive of Mace Group

Build UK has been benchmarking its members and the wider industry on payment performance since 2018, and the latest results for more than 130 of the largest companies in the sector can be found on the Build UK website.

Last Updated: 01/05/2025

Navigating Gateway Two

Following a recent meeting between Client and Professional Services members involved in the development of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), Build UK has updated its guide to the validation stage at Gateway Two, which sets out the documents that should be included within an application for Building Control Approval. The May 2025 version confirms the following in line with the most recent guidance published by the BSR:

Building Control Approval is not required for building work which consists only of exempt work, work carried out under a Competent Person Scheme, or an emergency repair to an existing HRB
For ‘staged applications’, applicants are advised to contact the BSR prior to submission
The ‘Description of Proposed Work’ document is being used by the BSR as a ‘project summary’ to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required of the Registered Building Inspector (RBI) when assembling the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
Clarification on what should be included within the Construction Control Plan
In the event an application is rejected, the BSR has advised that any new application should reference the previous one to enable the same MDT to be appointed.

The BSR also confirmed at the meeting that only one Client, one Principal Designer and one Principal Contractor can be appointed per HRB, including where there are multiple buildings on a single podium. Build UK is arranging a meeting with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to discuss the issues identified by members with one organisation fulfilling each of these dutyholder roles across multiple buildings.

Industry Representation

In light of the significant challenges with Gateway Two, Building Safety Minister Alex Norris held a roundtable earlier this week with industry leaders, including Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol, to understand the key issues and what can be done to overcome them. The industry called for a ‘reset’ and urged the BSR to review the process

The current delays at Gateway Two, which have seen the BSR fail to meet its target of clearing the backlog of applications submitted up to July 2024, is undermining investor confidence and making projects unviable, which will have a significant impact on the Government’s target to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament. The Minister, who also attended this week’s CLC meeting to reinforce his commitment to working with the industry, heard a clear view that the BSR needs to provide greater clarity on what is expected within applications for Building Control Approval and increase engagement with applicants, share information on why applications are being rejected, and publish regular updates on performance against the statutory timescales.

Build UK has also been at the forefront of recent meetings with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Construction Minister Sarah Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, and Government Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Forzani ahead of publication of the 10-year infrastructure strategy, which is expected alongside the Spending Review in June. In addition, Suzannah will be flying the flag for construction at the Lord Mayor’s Business and Trade Dinner this month, which will bring together business leaders and senior representatives from the Department of Business and Trade with the objective of improving prosperity and living standards across the UK.

Monitoring Payment Performance

The Cabinet Office has published PPN 021 encouraging contracting authorities to ‘spot check’ their suppliers to ensure that 30-day payment terms are being implemented throughout the supply chain on public sector contracts with a value over £5 million per annum, as required under the Procurement Act which came into force on 24 February.

From 1 October 2025, contracting authorities should include terms within their contracts to enable them to undertake payment spot checks and request the following information from suppliers at least once every six months:

A copy of the payment terms for the contract
Details of procedures for resolving disputed invoices promptly and effectively and evidence that these have been shared with their supply chain
Evidence of payments made (and time taken to pay) in relation to the contract.

If it is discovered that a supplier is not complying with the requirement to pay within 30 days, a contracting authority may take a number of actions.

Build UK benchmarks the payment performance of more than 130 of the industry’s largest companies, and our table was recently updated with the latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations. Our ‘tier one’ Contractor members pay invoices in an average of 30 days, down from 45 days when the table was first launched in 2018, with 96% paid within 60 days.

Enter the Building Awards!

Build UK is delighted to support the Building Awards again this year, with entries now open across 20 categories, including a number of brand new categories for 2025. It is a fantastic opportunity for members across the supply chain to showcase your achievements and the hard work undertaken by your teams over the last 12 months!

Several Build UK members went home with a trophy in 2024, including Kier (Housing Project of the Year), Mace (Major Contractor and Project of the Year), Reds10 (Contractor of the Year and MMC), RLB (Digital Excellence), and VINCI Building (Delivering Social Value). It’s free to register to view the criteria and the deadline for entries is Friday 30 May.

The Building Awards 2025 will take place on the evening of Tuesday 4 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London and tickets will go on sale shortly.

No Falls Week

A number of Build UK Trade Association members are partnering with No Falls Week from Monday 12 to Friday 16 May to promote safe working at height. With falls from height the most common cause of fatal injuries in construction, the HSE is promoting the campaign and members can sign up to access free resources on reducing accidents, such as toolbox talks and posters.

SAFed Cards

The Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) is no longer issuing cards carrying the CSCS logo after withdrawing from the CSCS Alliance. Sites are advised to continue to accept SAFed cards until 30 September 2025 as long as they are valid and within the original expiry date, and SAFed cardholders should take appropriate steps to obtain a new card during this period.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Thank you for Build UK’s excellent leadership on key industry issues which promotes collaboration, ensures consistency and raises standards across the whole construction supply chain. It’s a great pleasure to be members of #TeamBuildUK and its partner for PPE.”

Mark Johnstone, Chief Executive of JSP

JSP supports Build UK’s industry-recognised Safety Helmet Colours Standard which has reduced duplication and strengthened the role of supervisors on site.

Last Updated: 25/04/2025

Build UK Response to CITB Consensus

Thank you to all those members who responded to our CITB Consensus survey and shared their views on the Levy proposals for 2026‐2029. We achieved a 100% response rate from our Contractor members liable to pay the Levy and as a ‘Prescribed Organisation’ will be submitting a collective response to CITB on behalf of our Contractor and Trade Association members by the deadline of Friday 9 May. The Build UK response will be accompanied by our updated ‘Levy In – Skills Out’ proposal setting out the core elements of a skills system required to recruit, train and retain the talent the industry needs. CITB is expected to confirm the outcome of Consensus by the end of May. If it is achieved, a new Levy Order will then be made by the Secretary of State authorising CITB to collect a Levy from in-scope employers until 2029.

CITB has published its Business Plan 2025-26, which outlines how it will address the skills challenges facing the industry over the next 12 months by:

Inspiring and enabling diverse and skilled people into construction
Developing a training and skills system to meet current and future needs
Supporting the industry to train, develop and retain its workforce.

CITB has identified three metrics against which it will measure performance compared to the previous year: 5% increase in the number of new entrants, 6% increase in the number of employers supported to train their workforce, and 2% increase in the number of individuals supported to train.

Common Assessment Standard

Build UK is finalising an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard for publication on 1 July 2025, which will ensure it remains relevant and up to date and can be used to demonstrate companies across the supply chain have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act.

A year on from its introduction in July 2024, the Building Safety section will be updated and become mandatory for all companies carrying out design or building work under the Act. Version 5 will also contain key updates to both the Environmental and Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) sections to reflect the latest legislation and guidance. Companies will be required to complete the updated question set when they next go through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard with a Recognised Assessment Body after 1 July.

The Common Assessment Standard is used by a growing list of organisations across the public and private sectors. This includes a number of Build UK Trade Association members who accept it as part of their membership audit schemes – ASUC, BCSA, BESA, FIS, HAE and IPAF – further reducing duplication and cost for the supply chain.

To support the continued development of the Common Assessment Standard, the name and logo have been registered as trade marks with the Intellectual Property Office, which will prevent other organisations from using the Common Assessment Standard brand without permission.

New Identity Verification Requirement

Following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to improve transparency over UK companies and tackle economic crime, the Government has announced a voluntary period for individuals running businesses to verify their identity with Companies House before it becomes a legal requirement later this year

More than six million individuals will need to prove their identity in the 12 months after identity verification becomes mandatory, which is expected to be in the autumn, and for existing directors the requirement will be integrated into the annual confirmation statement update process to reduce the burden on companies. Individuals can verify their identity by supplying the evidence requested via their GOV.UK One Login, a local Post Office, or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

British Steel

The Government has passed emergency legislation giving it the power to direct British Steel and prevent its blast furnaces in Scunthorpe being shut down. Build UK is working with the CLC and Trade Association member BCSA to understand the implications for the construction supply chain as well as the potential impact on projects.

NISTA CEO Appointed

The National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has announced that Becky Wood will take up the role of Chief Executive Officer in June. NISTA has brought together the National Infrastructure Commission and the Infrastructure & Projects Authority and will oversee the Government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy.

New Apprenticeship

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is consulting on the development of a Level 2 General Construction Apprenticeship, which would train learners to be multi-skilled to a foundational level in bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, and painting and decorating. The deadline for submitting a response is 27 April.

System Scaffolding

Build UK Trade Association member NASC has published TG30 to provide good practice guidance for system scaffolding, comparable to TG20 for tube and fitting scaffolding. TG30 covers the procurement, supply, design, construction and use of system scaffolding and includes a compliance sheet to demonstrate it meets the standard.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

Over the last 10 years, Build UK has developed coherent responses to the industry’s multi-faceted challenges, and the information we receive to brief our membership is always accurate, informative and concise. BESA leverages the increased influence of Build UK to promote our vision of a better building engineering services sector: one that is competent, compliant and efficient.”

David Frise, Chief Executive of BESA

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) was the first Build UK Trade Association to adopt the Common Assessment Standard as part of its membership audit process, helping to raise standards and reduce duplication for its members.

Last Updated: 10/04/2025

Recruiting and Retaining the Construction Workforce

Thanks to all those members who joined our Forum meeting last week where we discussed the initial findings of research being undertaken by Warwick University, which show that the way the industry operates has a significant impact on the workforce, as well as quality, productivity and performance.

With the ongoing challenge of recruiting sufficient people and skills to meet the industry’s needs, the research, which is focused around a number of themes, offers a useful insight into how the industry needs to change to overcome the issues raised by the workforce. These include a high level of self-employment, pressures of delivering to tight timescales, long hours and working away from home for extended periods of time, a lack of recognition and reward, and poor mental health. Warwick University is now undertaking further research with new entrants to understand what attracted them to the industry.

The Build UK update will be taking a break for Easter next week returning on Thursday 24 April with all the latest news. A very happy Easter from #TeamBuildUK and we hope you all enjoy a well‐earned break!

US Trade Tariffs

Following the introduction by President Trump of a 10% tariff on a wide range of UK products exported to the US from 5 April 2025, the Government has launched a consultation seeking views from businesses across the economy on the UK’s potential response, which could include tariffs on US goods imported into the UK as a ‘last resort’.

The US had already introduced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium products from 12 March 2025, and the consultation includes a range of questions for companies, including the average value of their US imports, the impact of any possible UK tariffs and how they would adjust to them. To assist companies in responding, the Government has published a list of products imported from the US which are likely to be subject to tariffs if a solution with the US is not reached, and to find out if a product is on the list search for a relevant word in the document. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 1 May.

Immigration Update

As of 9 April 2025, the Government has increased the fees for various immigration products and services as part of ongoing efforts to manage immigration and ensure the costs of processing applications are adequately covered. The cost of a sponsor licence has increased to £574 for a small company and to £1,579 for a medium or large company.

The cost of a certificate of sponsorship, which is assigned by a company with a sponsor licence to each worker from outside the UK that it employs, has increased to £525. The application fee for a Skilled Worker visa has also increased to a minimum of £769 and a maximum of £1,751, depending on an individual’s circumstances. Build UK has updated its flowchart providing an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK, along with its guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, to reflect the new fees.

The Home Office has announced that right to work checks will be extended to self-employed workers as part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently making its way through Parliament. Companies will be legally required to carry out checks confirming anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK or face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Guidance and Support for Members

Build UK continues to publish practical guidance and information on a wide range of issues affecting the construction supply chain, including building safety, procurement, and skills and training. Since the start of this year, the top five most popular documents downloaded from the Build UK website by members and the industry are:

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

BSR Charges

From 1 April 2025, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has increased the fees it charges for carrying out a range of building control functions, including processing an application for Building Control Approval at Gateway Two. Build UK has updated its guide to the validation stage at Gateway Two to reflect the new fees and provide additional information on preparing an application.

Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month and the HSE is encouraging employers across the industry to complete the five steps of its Working Minds campaign to prevent stress in the workplace. It has also published a range of guidance to support good mental health, including a stress risk assessment template, a guide for line managers, and a construction talking toolkit.

Environmental Reforms

The Government has confirmed that it will fast-track nine key reforms which will have the greatest impact on driving economic growth whilst protecting nature, including reviewing environmental guidance, streamlining permits, and creating a single planning permit portal for all agencies.

Pay Gap Reporting

The Government has launched a consultation on introducing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large companies, mirroring the existing requirements for Gender Pay Gap reporting, as part of the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. The deadline for responses is 10 June.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

“Thank you to Build UK for its continued efforts to support our industry. Your help in navigating complex issues such as the new building safety regime is invaluable for businesses across the whole supply chain.”

Barbara Marino, Health & Safety Director at Keltbray

Get a comprehensive overview of the building safety regime and the new requirements in our industry-recognised guide.

Last Updated: 03/04/2025

Representing Team Construction

A busy first quarter of the year concluded with a hugely successful Open Doors Week and a superb networking event with bingo like you’ve never seen before at the unique Hijingo! Thanks again to all our members and partners who hosted or supported Open Doors events, which enabled a record 7,000 visitors to see first-hand what it is like to work in construction and the wide range of careers available. The feedback shows we have inspired potential new entrants across the UK, with one college industry placement officer summing it up when she said “opportunities like this empower our young talent to envision their future careers with confidence”.

As our work continues to gather pace, we are delighted to welcome another new member to #TeamBuildUK. Reds10, a construction specialist pioneering offsite manufacturing technologies, has become our latest Contractor member and will increase our representation of the supply chain even further. Reds 10 is our sixth new member this year, joining the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Greystar, Ibstock, Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) and Morgan Sindall, who are already lending their weight to the work we are doing. Build UK has consistently demonstrated that it can deliver change with the whole supply chain around the same table, and if you know of any other organisations that would benefit from being in membership, then please encourage them to join us.

Prioritising Infrastructure Delivery

The Government has launched the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) to deliver infrastructure more efficiently and ‘get a grip’ on delays. The new body combines the National Infrastructure Commission and the Infrastructure & Projects Authority and will oversee the Government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy.

By bringing strategy and delivery ‘under one roof’, NISTA aims to transform the way major projects are planned, managed and delivered, which the Government has identified as essential to its mission to grow the economy. It has published The Teal Book, billed as the ‘definitive guide for successful project delivery in Government’, which provides practical guidance for everyone leading, delivering and overseeing projects and programmes. NISTA is part of a ‘three-pronged approach’, alongside the infrastructure strategy and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, to drive infrastructure investment and overcome long-standing challenges, and Build UK member the ICE has set out six recommendations for success.

The Spring Statement last week confirmed there would be a £13 billion increase in capital infrastructure investment over the next five years. This will include funding of £4.8 billion for National Highways to deliver critical road schemes and maintain motorways and major A-roads, and the Secretary of State for Transport has recently granted development consent for the Lower Thames Crossing between Kent and Essex. There will also be an additional £1 billion to improve transport services in the North, and a record £2.65 billion to build or repair over 1,000 flood schemes. Details of how spending will be allocated across Government departments will be confirmed in the Spending Review on 11 June.

Construction Degree Apprenticeships

With the number of Degree Apprenticeship starts in construction increasing by 72% over the last five years and now representing almost 15% of all apprenticeships, Build UK has published information on Degree Apprenticeships in Construction to help potential new entrants who may be interested in joining the industry via this route.

Building Safety Update

The Government has published its response to the technical consultation on the Building Safety Levy, which will now be introduced in autumn 2026. The levy will be paid by developers on eligible new residential buildings in England which require Building Control Approval and raise around £3.4 billion to support remediation works.

The levy will be charged on a per square metre basis, with differential rates applied based on local authority boundaries using house prices for each area. There will be a discounted rate of 50% for developments built on previously developed ‘brownfield’ land and exemptions for developments of fewer than 10 units, affordable housing and important community facilities. The Government has confirmed that a completion certificate will not be issued by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) or local authority until the levy is paid.

The BSR has published the following new guidance on applications for Building Control Approval:

Building Control Approval for Higher-Risk Buildings – What type of work requires Building Control Approval from the BSR
Preparing information for a Building Control Approval application – What to include in a Gateway Two application, which supports Build UK’s guide to the validation stage
Making changes to a Higher-Risk Building project – The different types of ‘controlled change’ once Building Control Approval has been received from the BSR
Applying for a completion certificate – When and how to apply for a completion certificate at Gateway Three.

The above guidance replaces the previous suite of information on Building Control Approval, and the guidance collection page for the Design and construction of Higher-Risk Buildings has been updated to reflect the changes.

PQ Standard

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 5 to be published later this year. To submit any suggested changes to the Common Assessment Standard, please complete this online form

Simpler Recycling

As of 31 March 2025, workplaces in England (except micro-businesses until 31 March 2027) have a legal duty to separate their waste under new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation. Waste should be sorted into dry recyclable materials, food waste and black bin waste, with paper and card separated from other dry recyclables unless a waste collector collects them together.

IHT Report

Build UK is supporting Family Business UK to highlight the impact of the proposed changes to inheritance tax (IHT) on businesses, and an interim report based on research undertaken by CBI Economics shows the changes will result in more than 208,000 jobs being lost and Gross Value Added (GVA) being reduced by £14.9 billion.

Asbestos Campaign

This week is Global Asbestos Awareness Week and the HSE is highlighting its Asbestos – Your Duty campaign to support dutyholders to manage asbestos in buildings. To help raise awareness of the risks, the Asbestos and You guide can be shared with workers who started their careers after asbestos was banned in 2000.

#BuildUK10 Quote of the Week

With the Government looking to industry for its views on a wide range of important issues, Build UK plays a leading role in the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), represents its members very effectively, and always provides a clear and concise position supported by up-to-date information.”

Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the CLC and Executive Chairman of Mace Group

The Government has committed to ‘Get Britain Building’ and Build UK’s 5 Ps to Power Up Construction are key to supporting the delivery of homes and infrastructure across the UK and kickstarting economic growth.

Last Updated: 02/04/2025

Government to Fund Construction Skills

Promising to ‘back the builders, not the blockers’ in last week’s Spring Statement, the Chancellor has announced £600 million of investment to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers by 2029 in order to tackle the industry’s skills shortages. The funding package is designed to support the Government to reach its target of delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its Plan for Change and includes:

£165 million to help colleges deliver more construction courses
£100 million to fund 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges
£100 million to expand Skills Bootcamps, ensuring new entrants, returners or those looking to upskill within the industry will be able to do so
£100 million to fund over 40,000 industry placements each year for all Level 2 and Level 3 learners, supported by a £32 million contribution from CITB
£80 million for a capital fund to support employers to deliver bespoke training based on their needs
£40 million for new construction foundation apprenticeships to be launched in August 2025
£20 million to form partnerships between colleges and construction companies within all Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) areas.

The funding will be overseen by a new Construction Skills Mission Board, co-chaired by Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Build UK member Mace Group and Co-Chair of the CLC, which will develop and deliver a construction skills action plan and provide strategic leadership to the sector. The huge success of Open Doors last month shows that people are interested in joining construction and Mark has called on the industry to “embrace the Government’s growth mission and match their ambition” by investing in new jobs and training. This is a great opportunity to address some long-standing skills issues and scale up the systems we have in place to make a real difference to employers across the supply chain and their workforce.

CITB Consensus – Have Your Say

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

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

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

Construction Degree Apprenticeships

Degree Apprentices undertake a bachelor’s or master’s degree whilst working for an employer. They spend at least 20% of their working hours completing off-the-job learning, which usually takes place at a university and lasts between three and six years. The Build UK overview lists the Degree Apprenticeships offered by members and provides links to their careers webpages with details of the opportunities available.

Employers do not pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under the age of 25 and earning less than £50,270, and CITB’s New Entrant Support Team is available to help with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices. Apprentices in the first year of their apprenticeship aged 18 or over and living in a London borough can get discounted travel with an Oyster photocard.

CSCS Latest News

CSCS has announced that the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) will no longer issue cards carrying the CSCS logo from 21 April 2025 after withdrawing from the CSCS Alliance. Construction sites are advised to continue to accept SAFed cards until 30 September 2025 as long as they are valid and within the original expiry date.

During this transition period, SAFed cardholders should take the following steps to obtain an appropriate new card depending on their occupation:

Engineer Surveyor – Obtain a CSCS card via CSCS
Steel Fabricator Welder or Stud Welder – Replace their SAFed issued card via CSCS
All other welding occupations or Welding Inspector – Replace their SAFed issued card via TWI Cert.

Build UK members are encouraged to use CSCS Smart Check to verify that individuals hold the right card for the occupation they are undertaking. It can also help to identify card fraud where individuals have obtained cards illegally, including with genuine qualifications. CSCS Smart Check enables all 2.2 million cards carrying the CSCS logo to be checked with the same platform, and any suspected fraudulent cards should be reported to CSCS.

Right to Work

The Home Office has announced right to work checks will be extended to self-employed workers as part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill making its way through Parliament. Companies will be legally required to carry out checks confirming anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK, otherwise they will face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Gender Pay Gap

As part of our work on Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent in construction, Build UK collates information each year on the Gender Pay Gap of its Contractor members to provide an overview of performance which can be used to measure progress. Private companies with more than 250 employees have until this Friday 4 April to report their latest Gender Pay Gap figures.

Open Doors 2025 – Thanks for Your Support!

We are extremely grateful to all our members and partners who hosted or supported events as part of a hugely successful #OpenDoors25 last month. A record 7,000 visitors attended events across the UK gaining an exclusive insight into what it is like to work in construction and the wide range of careers available.

The feedback has been fantastic, from a student who described how their visit “really gave them an insight into what opportunities could be available to them in construction” to a college industry placement officer who said that “opportunities like this empower our young talent to envision their future careers with confidence” and a DWP job coach who now feels “in a more informative position to discuss and promote opportunities in the industry”.

With research undertaken by CIOB showing that 68% of young people hold a positive view of construction careers and a report funded by the Wates Family Enterprise Trust and published by the Construction Youth Trust endorsing the value of work experience, you can help us to encourage more potential new entrants to take the next step on their Journey from Education to Employment in the industry by following up with everyone that attended your events and sending us any feedback and images from the week.

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

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