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: 05/09/2024

Delivering Change in Construction

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

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

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

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Report

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

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

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

Changes to Regulations

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

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

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

Building the Future Conference

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

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

Five Things You May Have Missed This Summer

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

Last Updated 22/08/2024

Implementing the Building Safety Regime

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) continues to meet regularly with the CLC to respond to industry concerns about the implementation of the new building safety regime. A number of queries have been raised about the building control process for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), and the BSR has launched a dedicated microsite with information on applying for Building Control Approval for HRBs and ensuring that applications demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations.

Following the queries about hospitals and care homes raised on our Building Safety calls, Build UK has sought clarification on whether a completion certificate is required before occupation. The BSR has now confirmed in an FAQ that “the offence of occupying part of a building without a completion certificate does not apply to building work in an existing hospital or care home” and as such there is no requirement to wait for the completion certificate application to be approved. NHS Estates has also stated that “if the new building does not contain residential units [a hospital…outpatient unit or offices for example] it can be occupied before a completion certificate is received so long as it is deemed safe under other applicable health and safety and fire safety legislation”.

The final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry will be published on Wednesday 4 September focussing on the cause of the fire and how the building came to be in a condition which allowed the fire to spread in the way it did. Build UK is supporting a CLC progress report, which will set out the collective actions taken by the industry in response to the fire and the introduction of the new building safety regime.

Building Control Update

The BSR has confirmed there are 4,049 Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) in England and Wales as of 30 July:

1,971 at Class 1 who can only work under supervision
1,614 at Class 2 who can work unsupervised on certain types of building
464 at Class 3 who can work unsupervised on more complex buildings.

There are 516 Class 2 and 3 RBIs that have also registered as Class 4 Technical Managers with additional responsibilities. Building Control Bodies must employ or take advice from RBIs registered at Class 2 or 3 in order to perform their role effectively, and the registers in England and Wales should be checked to confirm an individual is registered and the type of work they are deemed competent to undertake.

PWC Building Control Services Ltd has announced it will be entering into voluntary liquidation after its application to become a Registered Building Control Approver was unsuccessful.

As part of ensuring dutyholders are complying with Building Regulations, the BSR has confirmed that Building Control Bodies must start reporting mandatory building control data from January 2025 as set out within the Operational Standards Rules monitoring arrangements.

Government Progresses Priorities

As part of speeding up the planning process, the Planning Inspectorate has published a series of updated advice pages for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The advice for applicants includes preparing and submitting applications, compiling the consultation report, and requesting changes to an application after it has been accepted for examination.

Up to £800 million in Government funding will be made available to modernise broadband infrastructure in rural areas of Great Britain as part of Project Gigabit. Contracts worth £288 million have already been signed with Openreach to connect 96,960 homes and businesses, with around 312,000 set to benefit in total, including 70,000 in Wales which is included in the programme for the first time.

In line with plans to reduce net migration, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review why the engineering and IT sectors are reliant on international recruitment and what can be done to incentivise them to focus on the UK workforce. MAC will report its findings in nine months’ time and Build UK will be working with the CLC working group on migration to respond to any requests for evidence from MAC.

New JCT 2024 Contracts

JCT has published the 2024 editions of its Standard Building Contract, designed for large projects where detailed contract provisions are needed, and Collateral Warranties for use when an agreement needs to be put in place with a third party outside of the primary contract. All the JCT 2024 contracts released to date, including the Design and Build and Minor Works, are available to purchase via the JCT Construct subscription service, in On Demand digital form, and in hardcopy.

JCT 2024 incorporates a number of changes in response to our recommendation on contract terms, including an extension to the list of events giving rise to an extension of time and/or loss and expense. The Build UK recommendation identifies six contract terms that should be avoided in order to support a fairer allocation of risk through the supply chain, and we have updated our guidance on implementing the recommendation when using JCT contracts.

Conflict Avoidance Event

The Conflict Avoidance Coalition, which is supported by the CLC, is holding its first Conflict Avoidance Conference on Wednesday 2 October in central London. Attendees will gain practical strategies for minimising conflict and managing disputes on projects. Tickets cost £75 per person and are available to book via email.

PIR Board Use

Build UK Trade Association member TICA has highlighted the risks of using non‐certified polyisocyanurate (PIR) board on ductwork. TICA is aware of only one PIR product that is certified for use with externally located ductwork, and members across the supply chain should ensure the correct products are being used on projects.

Diversity Survey Reminder

The Annual Diversity Survey, carried out by Build UK member the Supply Chain Sustainability School in partnership with the Sustainability Tool, offers an easy way to calculate and demonstrate workforce diversity. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 4 September and members can create a record of their results for use with clients.

RICS PI Arrangements

Following a consultation exercise, the RICS has updated its Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements and Minimum Approved Wording for RICS Regulated surveyors in the UK and Ireland. With fewer insurers now looking to restrict cover, the changes made by the RICS relate to fire safety and the assessment of external wall fire risk.

Upcoming Build UK Meetings & Events

Building Safety Call ‐ Tuesday 17 September ‐ 8:30am
We will be joined by the Building Safety Regulator who will provide an overview of the Gateway Two process where Higher‐Risk Buildings are required to obtain Building Control Approval before construction can begin.

AGM & All Member Forum ‐ Tuesday 24 September ‐ 8:30am
Back by popular demand, the Bank of England will give a fascinating insight into the state of the UK economy and the issues affecting the construction sector following the election of the new Labour Government.

Networking Event ‐ Wednesday 20 November ‐ 6:30pm
With thanks to our sponsors ‐ People’s Partnership, Procore and Price Forbes ‐ Build UK is heading to Fairgame in Canary Wharf, London where you can network with your fellow members whilst playing all those fairground games you loved as a kid!

The Build UK update will be taking a break next week and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 5 September with all the latest news. We hope you enjoy the bank holiday weekend!

Last Updated: 15/08/2024

Bank of England to Join Build UK AGM

Based on the excellent feedback from our last AGM, we are delighted to welcome back the Bank of England for this year’s Build UK AGM and All Member Forum on Tuesday 24 September at 8:30am. Following the election of the new Labour Government, our guest speaker will give a fascinating insight into the state of the UK economy and the issues affecting the construction sector, as Ministers look to ‘get Britain building again’ and realise the Government’s ‘mission’ of sustained economic growth.

The Build UK Board for 2024/25 will be appointed at the AGM, and Contractor and Trade Association members have until Tuesday 3 September to submit their vote. There is no election for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair this year as Julie White (Drilling & Sawing Association) and Paul Brown (John Sisk & Son) were appointed for two years in 2023.

Countdown to CITB Consensus

CITB has confirmed it will begin engaging with the industry in September on the Levy arrangements for 2026 – 2029, ahead of the formal Consensus process which will take place in spring 2025. The initial engagement will seek feedback on draft Levy proposals, as well as the skills and training outcomes that CITB has delivered for the industry over the past three years. This feedback will be used to provide guidance and recommendations to the CITB Board, which will finalise the Levy proposals for in-scope employers to vote on during Consensus. For the Levy to continue for another three years, the Secretary of State will have to be satisfied that it is necessary to encourage adequate training in the industry.

As a ‘Prescribed Organisation’, Build UK is responsible for consulting with its in-scope members on the Levy proposals during the Consensus process, and we will shortly be in contact to confirm the details of your nominated Levy representative.

Constructing the Gold Standard

Build UK Client member SCAPE Group has become one of the first public sector frameworks to be verified as compliant with the ‘Gold Standard’ set out in the Construction Playbook. The Constructing the Gold Standard Verification Scheme confirms whether framework providers comply with the recommendations made in the report published by Professor David Mosey in 2021, providing a mark of quality for clients who use the frameworks as well as suppliers who bid for them. With the Gold Standard designed to drive consistency and improve value, SCAPE has highlighted how verification “demonstrates [its] commitment to maintaining the highest standards in public procurement and framework operation”.

There are currently four Gold Standard verified organisations, and other public sector bodies can complete this application form to register their interest in joining the scheme.

Construction Minister

Sarah Jones MP, who is Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade, has been confirmed as the new Co‐Chair of the CLC alongside Mark Reynolds. With Government prioritising the delivery of homes and infrastructure, Build UK members can continue to provide a collective voice for construction by emailing Build UK and requesting to join the CLC’s regular industry calls.

Transforming PQ

The CLC has welcomed the latest version of the Common Assessment Standard, which includes a new Building Safety section. As part of its Building Safety workstream, the CLC aims to drive industry competence through the development of standards such as the Common Assessment Standard, which can be used to demonstrate companies have the ‘organisational capability’ to fulfil their roles under the Building Safety Act.

Get Set for Open Doors 2025

With construction needing to recruit 50,000 new entrants each year, one of the most effective ways to inspire young people to choose a career in our industry is to participate in Open Doors! We have already started the Countdown to Open Doors 2025, which will take place from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March, and your nominated Open Doors Coordinators should have received an invite to a meeting on Wednesday 11 September where we will be sharing our plans.

Hosted by Build UK Chair Julie White, the online meeting will cover what’s new for #OpenDoors25, the benefits of getting involved, and what you can be doing now to make sure you are ready to register events on the Open Doors website from Monday 7 October. We would encourage all members to make sure they are represented at the meeting so you can play your part in showcasing construction to the next generation, and please email us to confirm your attendance.

Last Updated: 08/08/2024

Contract Terms Guidance Updated

Following the release of the first JCT 2024 contracts, which include a number of changes in response to our recommendation on contract terms, Build UK has updated its guidance on implementing the recommendation when using JCT contracts. The changes, which will help to support a fairer allocation of risk through the supply chain, include:

Fitness for Purpose ‐ A new clause containing an express exclusion for fitness for purpose, making it clear that in undertaking the design, the contractor will have no duty beyond reasonable skill and care, and will not be subject to any fitness for purpose obligation in respect of its design
Unquantifiable Risks ‐ The range of events giving rise to an extension of time and/or loss and expense has been extended to include asbestos, contaminated material and unexploded ordnance, in addition to antiquities, allowing the parties to agree a share of the risk in the event of such conditions
Uncapped Liabilities ‐ A new footnote highlighting that the parties may wish to agree a cap on liability, with model clauses now included in the Guide.

The business environment remains challenging, and our recommendation identifies six contract terms that should be avoided in order to promote collaboration and realise better project outcomes. The updated guidance is designed to help implement the recommendation by explaining why each term should be avoided and setting out ways to manage the underlying issues in a more collaborative way, with specific guidance for both JCT and NEC contracts. The recommendation is non‐binding and Build UK members are free to negotiate their own contractual terms.

Government Focus on UK Recruitment

In a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has set out plans to reduce net migration in favour of sectors “sourc[ing] the skills they need here at home”. Promising a new approach that “links migration policy and visa controls to skills and labour market policies”, she has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the reliance of key sectors on international recruitment, starting with engineering and IT, which have consistently been on the list of shortage occupations for over a decade. The Government will keep a number of changes introduced by the previous Government, including maintaining the salary threshold for Skilled Worker Visas at £38,700 and scrapping the 20% going rate discount for overseas workers in shortage occupations.

Build UK’s flowchart provides an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK in construction, with detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa

Building Safety Update

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol and other CLC representatives are meeting regularly with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to respond to industry concerns about the implementation of the new building safety regime. In response to questions about the length of time being taken to process Building Control applications at Gateway Two, the BSR has said: “We want to assure everyone that the necessary contingency is in place which will allow us to stabilise and improve the service over the coming months and for the future”.

The BSR has highlighted that a large number of applications have been incomplete or unclear, particularly for smaller refurbishment projects, making them unsuitable for approval. However, the BSR will not tell applicants how to comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations or provide pre‐application advice. It has published a Q&A setting out its expectations, which confirm that organisations are expected to take advice on building safety in the same way they do on health and safety.

Build UK has brought together a group of members, who are currently preparing to submit their own Gateway Two applications, to set out the information that should be included to help drive consistency across the industry.

BSR Conference

The BSR conference held earlier this year is now available to watch on demand. Attended by over 1,400 delegates from across the industry, the event featured almost 40 sessions on a range of topics, including the Building Control application process for Higher‐Risk Buildings and developing a Safety Case and Resident Engagement Strategy.

NHIC Consumer Guides

Working in partnership with the CLC, the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) has published a suite of free consumer guides for homeowners undertaking home improvement projects. The ‘Doorstep Digests’ cover a range of works, with independent expert advice that is easy to understand for both homeowners and tradespeople.

Building the Future Conference ‐ Book Now

As part of our partnership with Building Magazine, Build UK is delighted to support the Building the Future Conference which is taking place on Wednesday 18 September at Church House in London. The event will bring together leading industry experts ‐ including Build UK Board member Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of SCAPE Group ‐ to explore the biggest issues facing construction, with fully interactive sessions giving attendees the chance to have their say and put questions to the panellists. The day will conclude with a drinks reception to celebrate those who have been shortlisted for this year’s Building Awards and Architect of the Year Awards.

Tickets are on sale now, and Build UK members will receive a 20% discount when booking places using the code ‘BUILD20’. If you book before 31 August, the cost will be just £104 + VAT (£64 + VAT for the afternoon session only).

Last Updated: 01/08/2024

#TeamBuildUK Continues to Grow

In response to all our work supporting the industry in 2024, Build UK has recruited a fantastic 12 new members! Our latest two are the privately owned construction and development group, Bowmer + Kirkland, which joins as a Contractor member, and Deeley Freed Estates Ltd, a commercial property development business based in Bristol delivering mixed‐use schemes, which is a new Client member. Both are looking to benefit from and support our work on building safety, and we are delighted to have them on board.

Our other new members this year, who are already lending their weight to the work we are doing, are DGP, G & A M Lawson and Permasteelisa (Contractors); AtkinsRéalis, Building Safety Act Consult, Fortel, MKC Training, Price Forbes and Turner & Townsend alinea (Professional Services); and InstallerSHOW (Alliance).

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 do encourage them to join us.

Members Maintain Payment Terms

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. For the first time, all tier one Contractor members are paying invoices within an average of 45 days, which will be the requirement for new Government contracts over £5 million from April 2025. On average, Build UK Contractor members now pay 96% of invoices in 60 days and none of them average less than 90%.

With new reporting requirements on the value of invoices paid and disputed invoices coming into force from 1 January 2025, Build UK is still the only trade organisation benchmarking payment performance, and our table shows the results for more than 120 of the industry’s largest companies to provide a comprehensive picture of payment practices across the industry.

Government Focus on Economic Growth

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the cancellation of a number of road and rail projects as part of addressing a ‘£22 billion hole’ in public finances. The A303 Stonehenge Tunnel and A27 Arundel Bypass projects, together with the ‘Restoring Our Railways’ programme, have been scrapped, and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh will review the remaining £800 million worth of ‘unfunded’ projects for next year. The Chancellor also confirmed there will be a ‘complete reset’ of the New Hospital Programme ahead of the Budget and Spending Review on 30 October, when she will set out department budgets for at least the next three years.

As part of the Government’s mission to grow the economy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced plans to build more homes by reforming the planning system. Proposed updates to the National Planning Policy Framework include bringing back mandatory housing targets for local authorities, increasing the overall housebuilding target to 370,000 new homes a year, and introducing new ‘golden rules’ for green belt development, which include defining ‘grey-belt’ land. There is a consultation open until Tuesday 24 September, and the Government intends to publish the revised National Planning Policy Framework before the end of the year, with further measures to speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure to be included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Construction’s Gender Pay Gap

As part of our work on Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent, Build UK collates information each year on the Gender Pay Gap (GPG) of its Contractor members. Our latest report for 2023/24, which has been shared directly with our Contractor members that are required or choose to report their GPG, shows that women were paid on average 76p for every £1 men were paid, when comparing median hourly pay. Whilst this has improved slightly from 71p in 2017/18 when companies were first required to report this information, the GPG continues to be heavily impacted by the low number of women employed at all levels in the industry. This includes just 12.6% in the highest pay quartile in 2023/24 and it will take time and concentrated effort to improve.

We know that a diverse workforce offers significant benefits, including better innovation, improved productivity and higher staff retention, and Build UK will continue to support initiatives that help to drive the required changes. Details of all the latest work that we are doing can be found in our Recruit, Train and Retain update.

New Citation Hub

Build UK Partner Citation has created the ‘Ready for Change hub’ to help businesses prepare for changes to employment law expected to be introduced by the Government. It includes a free guide and video covering the key changes businesses should be aware of, with more resources to be added in the coming weeks.

Selecting Correct RPE

Build UK Professional Services member JSP has published guidance on selecting suitable Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for work. It outlines the various factors that should be considered in relation to the task and work environment, as well as the wearer, such as whether they wear glasses or have facial hair.

Building Safety Update

Build UK has updated its guide to the Building Safety Regime to reflect that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has reverted to its previous name of Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Described as “the most straightforward and comprehensive piece of guidance around this issue”, the Build UK guide is being used across the industry to help businesses understand their responsibilities under the new regime, including the CIP Construction Health & Safety Manual and Wedlake Bell’s Building Safety Act hub.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has confirmed the priority order for the remaining Higher‐Risk Buildings that require a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC). To date, it has been focussing on buildings between 30 and 50 metres with more than 217 residential units and those that are 50 metres plus with more than 11 residential units. Once contacted by the BSR, Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) have 28 days to submit their BAC application with the required information.

Last Updated: 30/07/2024

New Government Prioritises Skills

The King’s Speech earlier this month set out the new Government’s legislative priorities, which include the Skills England Bill designed to transform the skills system. With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promising to ‘break down barriers to opportunity’ and ’enable British businesses to recruit more home‐grown talent’, the new ‘Skills England’ body launched last week will bring together central and local Government, businesses, training providers and unions to boost training and tackle skills shortages, particularly in key sectors like construction, whilst reducing reliance on overseas workers. It will also identify and maintain a list of training eligible for the new Growth and Skills Levy, which will replace the Apprenticeship Levy. Skills England will be established in phases over the next year and hosted in ‘shadow form’ within the Department for Education while Parliament passes legislation to officially establish its role and remit in law.

The Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith has been appointed as Minister for Skills, whilst Sarah Jones MP is Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade, with responsibility for construction.

With the new Government now in power, the need for a clear and consistent voice from the construction sector has never been more important. Build UK has shared ‘5 Ps to Power Up Construction’ designed to help the Government ‘get Britain building again’ and unlock economic growth. The final ‘P’ is the investment in the development of people supported from education into employment and throughout their careers

Construction’s Gender Pay Gap

As part of our work on Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent, Build UK collates information each year on the Gender Pay Gap (GPG) of its Contractor members. Our latest report for 2023/24, which has been shared directly with our Contractor members that are required or choose to report their GPG, shows that women were paid on average 76p for every £1 men were paid, when comparing median hourly pay. Whilst this has improved slightly from 71p in 2017/18 when companies were first required to report this information, the GPG continues to be heavily impacted by the low number of women employed at all levels in the industry. This includes just 12.6% in the highest pay quartile in 2023/24 and it will take time and concentrated effort to improve.
We know that a diverse workforce offers significant benefits, including better innovation, improved productivity and higher staff retention, and Build UK will continue to support initiatives that help to drive the required changes, including implementing flexible working, providing more inclusive working environments such as managing the impact of the menopause, and promoting mentoring programmes.

A new Draft Equality Bill included in the King’s Speech will introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting for large employers, mirroring the existing requirements for the GPG, to help close the ethnicity and disability pay gaps.

End of Industry Accreditation

Build UK brought together more than 50 members last month to discuss the withdrawal of CSCS cards obtained via Industry Accreditation. Hosted at the ICE by Build UK member 3B Training, the meeting took members through the process of replacing Industry Accreditation cards before they expire on 31 December 2024. CSCS outlined its guidance for Blue, Gold and Black Industry Accreditation cards issued by the core scheme, whilst 3B Training explained how it is working with employers and individuals to obtain any qualifications required, and Kier shared its experience of recently going through the process with its employees.

With just five months until the deadline, members should be putting in place a plan now to move their workers onto the relevant card. For any workers who need to complete a qualification, there are currently increased CITB grant rates for the achievement of certain S/NVQs when replacing Industry Accreditation cards. CSCS does not issue cards for non‐construction related occupations and anyone who no longer attends site regularly may not require a card.

CSCS Survey

CSCS is seeking views from industry on proposed changes to CSCS Labourer, Trainee and Provisional cards, including reducing the validity of an individual’s first Labourer Card from five to two years, and on the transition to digital cards which are stored on a smartphone. The deadline to a submit a response is Friday 16 August. 

Routes of Entry

Build UK has updated its guides setting out the most common routes of entry into the industry for young people leaving school in England and Scotland, including apprenticeships, college and university. They are designed to help members looking to offer opportunities to young people identify which routes will work best for them.

Countdown to #OpenDoors25

Build UK has kickstarted the Countdown to Open Doors 2025 and we are encouraging all members to start thinking now about how they can get involved! With construction needing to recruit 50,000 new entrants a year to maintain output, Open Doors goes behind the scenes to showcase the wide range of careers available in the industry. Everyone across the supply chain can play their part by opening up their sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March 2025. 

With 88% of visitors in 2024 stating they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, you can all inspire the next generation to take their first step on the Journey from Education to Employment in the industry by opening your doors and showing them just what we have to offer! Find out more about our exciting plans for #OpenDoors25 in our latest Open Doors update.

Last Updated: 25/07/2024

Skills England to Tackle Skills Shortage

Following last week’s King’s Speech, which included the Skills England Bill to transform the skills system, the Government has announced the launch of the new ‘Skills England’ body that will put in place the framework for delivering a highly skilled workforce for the long term. With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promising to ‘break down barriers to opportunity’ and ‘enable British businesses to recruit more home-grown talent’, Skills England will bring together central and local Government, businesses, training providers and unions to boost training and tackle skills shortages, particularly in key sectors like construction, whilst reducing reliance on overseas workers. It will also identify and maintain a list of training eligible for the new Growth and Skills Levy which will replace the Apprenticeship Levy.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has appointed the former chief executive of the Co‐operative Group, Richard Pennycook CBE, as Interim Chair of Skills England, which will be established in phases over the next year and hosted in ‘shadow form’ within the Department for Education while Parliament passes legislation to officially establish its role and remit in law.

Gateway Two Applications

Building on the success of our guide to the Building Safety Regime, Build UK is exploring the development of more detailed guidance on the documents needed at ‘Gateway Two’, when Higher‐Risk Buildings are required to obtain Building Control Approval from the Building Safety Regulator before construction can begin. A group of Build UK Client members, who are currently preparing to submit their own Gateway Two applications, supported by Contractor and Professional Services members, have confirmed their support for ‘blueprints’ of the documents to help drive consistency across the industry, improve the quality of applications, and ensure Higher‐Risk Buildings are safe.

Our next Building Safety call for members will take place on Tuesday 17 September and your nominated Building Safety representative should have received the details directly.

Retentions Update

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has confirmed to Build UK that the draft legislation to amend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations to introduce new metrics on retentions has been withdrawn. This is as a result of the General Election, which means there is now insufficient time for the legislation to be completed before the intended commencement date of 1 October 2024, and DBT is working with the new Ministers to confirm a revised date. New metrics on the value of invoices paid and disputed invoices will still come into force as planned from 1 January 2025.

Public bodies in Scotland are now required to publish a retention policy statement on their website by 31 August 2024, in accordance with CPN 1/2024 published last month. The statement, which must be reviewed on an annual basis, should cover the public body’s strategic approach to retentions and the factors which determine their use.

Reporting Carbon Emissions

Action Sustainability, working in partnership with Build UK member the Supply Chain Sustainability School, has developed a free Carbon Calculator that enables businesses in construction to measure their carbon emissions and then share the information with their clients. Under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Regulations, large companies must report their scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and are strongly encouraged to report their scope 3 carbon emissions.

With an increasing number of businesses across the sector now collecting this data, the Carbon Calculator offers a standardised solution which is already being used by a number of Build UK members including BAM, Canary Wharf Group and Willmott Dixon. Adopting it across the whole supply chain will ensure consistent, accurate and timely data, avoid unnecessary duplication and waste, and help the industry respond to the net zero challenge.

Transforming PQ

We have had great coverage of the latest version of the Common Assessment Standard published this month, which can be used to demonstrate organisational capability under the Building Safety Act. It has been featured by the trade press, Building Safety Regulator, Local Government Association, Recognised Assessment Bodies and Trade Association members.

Climate Change Report

Build UK member the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has published ‘five main takeaways’ from the Climate Change Committee’s latest annual progress report. Whilst the UK has made significant progress towards decarbonisation, the ICE believes the new Government must ‘act fast’ and be clear and consistent in its messaging and actions to reach net zero.

Construction H&S and Environmental Manuals

The Health and Safety (H&S) Manual and the Environmental Manual, published by Construction Industry Publications (CIP), have been updated to reflect the latest changes in legislation and guidance. Designed to provide businesses across the industry with a ‘one‐stop shop’ when managing health and safety and environmental matters during the construction process, the H&S Manual now links to Build UK’s guide to the Building Safety Regime and provides updated information on CSCS cards, in line with the CLC recommendation on Industry Card Schemes, whilst the Environmental Manual includes updated guidance on carbon reduction, biodiversity requirements, and waste management, and whether it is applicable in England, Scotland or Wales.

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

Last Updated: 18/07/2024

Demonstrating Organisational Capability

The latest version of the Common Assessment Standard, which has been streamlined following the withdrawal of PAS 91 and updated to include a new Building Safety section, is now available, and suppliers will complete the new questions when they next go through the certification process with a Recognised Assessment Body. Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing individuals or organisations to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure they are competent. For individuals this means having the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, whilst organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’. Build UK members can demonstrate compliance with this duty by specifying that organisations in their supply chain are certified to the Common Assessment Standard, and Version 4 has been welcomed by Philip White, HSE Director of Building Safety, who said:

“The Building Safety Regulator is committed to encouraging industry to create a built environment where everyone is competent and takes responsibility to ensure buildings are of high quality and safe. This requires a change in culture across the industry and we are pleased that Build UK has worked with its members and stakeholders across the supply chain to update the Common Assessment Standard to include a specific section on building safety.”

There is a growing list of organisations across both the public and private sectors using the Common Assessment Standard, and in accordance with Procurement Policy Note 03/24 published earlier this year, central Government departments and wider public sector bodies should now use the Common Assessment Standard to pre‐qualify suppliers for construction works contracts. Any Contractor or Client members who are not yet specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their supply chain and would like further information on doing so should contact Build UK.

Government Sets Out Priorities

As part of the State Opening of Parliament yesterday, the King outlined the programme of legislation that the new Government intends to pursue in this parliamentary session. With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promising to ‘take the brakes off Britain’ and unlock economic growth, this year’s King’s Speech covered over 35 bills, and the key ones for construction include:

Planning and Infrastructure Bill ‐ Getting Britain building through planning reform, which will accelerate the delivery of high‐quality housing and infrastructure.
High Speed Rail Bill ‐ Providing powers to construct and operate rail projects, which will improve east to west connectivity across the north of England.
Great British Energy Bill ‐ Creating a publicly-owned clean power company, which will accelerate investment in renewable energy, with the aim of achieving energy independence and unlocking investment in energy infrastructure.
Skills England Bill ‐ Establishing ‘Skills England’, a new partnership centred around employers designed to ensure the supply of skills, as well as reforming the Apprenticeship Levy.
English Devolution Bill ‐ Giving new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities to support local growth plans.

In a demonstration of the new Government’s commitment to building more homes and infrastructure, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds have held early meetings with the industry, attended by Build UK members Berkeley Group, Mace and Skanska, which covered a 10‐year implementation strategy, private investment, the planning system, and skills within the supply chain.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner has also confirmed that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has reverted to its previous name of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).

Countdown to #OpenDoors25

We are delighted to kickstart the Countdown to Open Doors 2025 with our fantastic line up of Partners! With construction needing to recruit 50,000 new entrants a year to maintain output, Open Doors goes behind the scenes to showcase the wide range of careers available in the industry. Everyone can play their part by opening up their sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March 2025.

With 88% of visitors in 2024 stating they were more likely to consider a career in construction after their visit, you can all inspire the next generation to take their first step on the Journey from Education to Employment in the industry by opening your doors and showing them just what we have to offer! Find out more about our exciting plans for #OpenDoors25 in our latest Open Doors update.

Construction Fatalities

According to provisional statistics released by the HSE, the construction industry accounted for the highest number of fatalities (51) in 2023/24 and the figures for the last two years are ‘statistically significantly higher than the pre-pandemic period’. Build UK is the only industry organisation to publish an annual accident report with data for tier one contractors.

JCT Intermediate Contract

JCT has published the 2024 edition of its Intermediate Building Contract, which is designed for projects where detailed contract provisions are needed but not for specialist work. All the contracts in the JCT 2024 edition which have been released are available to purchase via the JCT Construct subscription service, in On Demand digital form, and in hardcopy.

Cladding Remediation

MHCLG is working with Made Tech to undertake research into how it could better support suppliers to tender for contracts under the various cladding remediation programmes. Any members interested in undertaking such works in the future are invited to register their interest in being interviewed

Loader Crane Campaign

Build UK Trade Association member ALLMI has launched a campaign focused on the safe transport of loader cranes. The key message is to ‘Strap Down Your Loader Crane!’ if it cannot be folded for travel to avoid accidents, and there are free materials available, including a toolbox talk and a safety video.

Award-Winning Members

Congratulations to the Build UK members who were winners at the CN Awards 2024 last week!

AtkinsRéalis ‐ Best Use of Technology for Mass Balance
Kier Construction ‐ Regeneration Project of the Year for InterCity Place, Plymouth
Mace ‐ Contractor of the Year (over £500m)
Tilbury Douglas ‐ Project of the Year (under £20m) for Aintree Hospital urgent care and trauma centre expansion, and Project of the Year (£20m – £50m) for Walsall Manor Hospital urgent and emergency care centre
Willmott Dixon ‐ Low Carbon Project of the Year for North Shields Transport Hub, and Construction Leader of the Year for Chief Sustainability Officer Julia Barrett.

Build UK was a finalist in the Supply Chain Collaboration Excellence category for the Common Assessment Standard, in recognition of how it is transforming the construction pre‐qualification process.

Last Updated: 11/07/2024

Industry Priorities for New Labour Government

After being confirmed as the country’s new Prime Minister last week, Sir Keir Starmer has now appointed his cabinet to start delivering the pledges he made in the Labour Party manifesto. The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, used her first speech on Monday to set out how she would ‘get Britain building again’ as part of the Government’s ‘mission to kickstart economic growth’. Her focus is on planning reform and “tak[ing] the urgent steps necessary to build the infrastructure that we need, including one and a half million homes over the next five years”. These steps include restoring mandatory housebuilding targets, creating a new taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites, and reforming the national planning policy framework.

Throughout the election, the new Government has identified the importance of construction to delivering its missions, and Sarah Jones MP, who has been appointed Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade, will have responsibility for construction. Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE has shared our ‘5 Ps to Power Up Construction’ in Construction News, setting out how agreeing and funding a national infrastructure plan for the next 10 years, with a responsible owner within the Treasury accountable for its delivery, will help Labour realise its ‘national mission’ of sustained economic growth.

With the new Government now in power, the need for a clear and consistent voice from the construction sector has never been more important. As such, we are delighted to welcome another three new members to #TeamBuildUK, and you can find more details at the end of this update.

Transforming Construction

As well as representing the construction sector, Build UK continues to drive change across the industry. By adopting and developing the systems we have in place, the whole supply change can focus on doing whatever it is they do in the most efficient way to deliver high quality, safe buildings and infrastructure. This year, we have:

Published Version 4 of the Common Assessment Standard, which includes a new Building Safety section, ensuring it can now be used to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act.
Kept members up to date on the requirements of the new building safety regime by holding Building Safety calls every six weeks, regularly updating the Build UK guide and other guidance, and publishing our Building Safety update.
Worked with Government on the extension of the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, and the new metrics, which will be introduced from 1 January 2025, will enable us to present an even more comprehensive picture of payment practices within the industry.
Focussed on the management of risk through the supply chain, and the new JCT 2024 contracts include a number of amendments in response to the Build UK recommendation on contract terms. We will shortly be publishing an updated version of our guidance on implementing the recommendation with updated advice for JCT contracts.
Delivered Open Doors 2024, which saw over 5,000 potential new entrants go behind the scenes of sites and workplaces across Great Britain, as we brought the whole supply chain together to showcase careers in construction. Look out for our Countdown to #OpenDoors25 next week!
Led the updating of the CLC recommendation on Industry Card Schemes to reflect the increased focus on competence. We are now helping to roll out CSCS Smart Check to verify that workers hold the correct card for their occupation and supporting members ahead of the withdrawal of Industry Accreditation.

A huge thank you to all our members for your continued support; we have a central role to play in powering up construction in the second half of the year.

Build UK AGM

Members should have received notice of the 2024 Build UK AGM, which will take place on Tuesday 24 September at 8:30am at the start of an online All Member Forum. The Board for 2024/25 will be appointed at the AGM, and Contractor and Trade Association members will shortly be invited to vote. There is no election for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair as they were appointed for two years in 2023.

Networking Event

After a brilliant night at the F1 Arcade earlier this year, Build UK is heading to the funfair for its next networking event. Join us on the evening of Wednesday 20 November at Fairgame in Canary Wharf, London where you can get to know your fellow members whilst having a go at the fairground games you loved as a kid! Please save the date in your diary and further information will follow over the summer.

Meet Our New Members

As a result of all our work on building safety, we are delighted to welcome three new Professional Services members to #TeamBuildUK, further increasing our reach across the whole construction supply chain.

Building Safety Act Consult ‐ building safety consultancy offering the Building Regulations Principal Designer service and advisory services to help companies get compliant with the Building Safety Act, including the Gateway approval process. 
Fortel Services ‐ one of the largest suppliers of agency labour to the industry across the whole spectrum of labour, trades and professionals.
MKC Training ‐ training provider delivering a range of training and assessment in construction, health and safety, and project management.

If you know of any other organisations that would benefit from all the work that Build UK is doing by being in membership, then please encourage them to join us. 

Last Updated: 09/07/2024

Impact of Building Safety Act on PI Insurance

Thanks to all those members who attended our latest Building Safety call last month where Paddy Synnott, part of the UK Professions team at Build UK Professional Services member Miller, gave an update on the construction Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance market following the implementation of the new building safety regime. Whilst there is more capacity in the market since the end of 2023, which has led to greater availability of cover and a reduction in rates, the changes brought about by the Building Safety Act have prompted insurers to focus on how companies are managing risk.

Paddy discussed the steps that members can take to obtain the most competitive terms when taking out a new PI insurance policy or renewing an existing one. These include demonstrating compliance with the Act’s requirements by keeping good records, implementing robust risk management processes, and engaging with insurers early.

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

Demonstrate Organisational Capability

Build UK has published Version 4 of the Common Assessment Standard, which has been streamlined following the withdrawal of PAS 91 and updated to include a new Building Safety section, ensuring it can be used to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act. Based on feedback from members and the Recognised Assessment Bodies, completion of the Building Safety section will be ‘advisory’ rather than mandatory for the remainder of the year whilst the industry gets up to speed with the new requirements.

There is a growing list of organisations across both the public and private sectors using the Common Assessment Standard, which is recognised by Government in PPN 03/24 and supported by the CLC, and Build UK members can demonstrate compliance with their dutyholder responsibilities under the Act by ensuring that those in their supply chain are certified to the industry‐recognised standard by one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. Companies going through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard will now complete the updated question set, and any Contractor or Client members who are not yet specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their supply chain and would like information on doing so should contact Build UK.

Building Control Update

Following confirmation from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) that Higher‐Risk Building (HRB) projects will transfer to the BSR where AIS Chartered Surveyors and Assent Building Control were providing Building Control services, the Assent Group has published a statement confirming that it operates through three entities ‐ LB Building Control, Oculus Building Consultancy, and Clarke Banks ‐ each of which is a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA). Build UK members are advised to check which legal entity is named as providing their Building Control service and take the appropriate action:

HRB projects overseen by AIS Chartered Surveyors or Assent Building Control will need to stop work on site and transfer to the BSR.
HRB projects overseen by LB Building Control, Oculus Building Consultancy or Clarke Banks are able to continue.
Non‐HRB projects overseen by AIS Chartered Surveyors will need to transfer to an RBCA in order to continue, whilst those overseen by Assent Building Control have until 1 October 2024 to transfer to an RBCA under the transitional arrangements as set out in the BSR guidance.

The transitional arrangements for Building Inspectors have now ended. Any Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) at Class 1 who have not passed their competence assessment and upgraded their registration to Class 2, 3 or 4 are only able to work under supervision. Build UK understands there are a small number of Class 1 RBIs who are still awaiting the results of their competence assessment and the BSR has provided them with a letter confirming they can continue to undertake work for the class of RBI for which they are being assessed until they have received the results.

Building Safety Guide

Build UK has updated its guide to the building safety regime to reflect the end of the transition arrangements for Building Inspectors and publication of Version 4 of the Common Assessment Standard. Our timeline has also been updated showing when the key changes are taking effect

Grenfell Tower Inquiry

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has confirmed that its Phase 2 report will be published on 4 September. It has been delayed a number of times due to the legal requirement to notify the more than 250 people subject to criticism within the report and the lengthy process of reviewing their responses.

Gateway Two Guidance

The BSR has confirmed that it will not be issuing detailed guidance on preparing an application for Gateway Two, so Build UK is bringing together a group of members to set out the information that should be included. Any members currently preparing a Gateway Two application that are interested in getting involved should contact Build UK.

First Remediation Order

Cladding Remediation Update

The latest Building Safety Remediation data published by DLUHC shows that, of the 498 high‐rise residential buildings over 18 metres in height identified to have unsafe ACM cladding:

Remediation work has been fully completed on 436 (88%)
Work has started on 51 (10%)
Of the remaining 11 (2%), 7 now have start dates.

The monthly data release, which covers all remediation programmes supporting the 4,374 residential buildings over 11 metres in England with unsafe cladding, shows remediation works have been completed on a total of 25% and started on a further 22%.

Last Updated: 27/06/2024

Common Assessment Standard ‐ Version 4

Build UK will be publishing an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard next Monday 1 July. This will be Version 4, which has been streamlined following the withdrawal of PAS 91 and updated to include a new Building Safety section, ensuring the Common Assessment Standard can be used to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act. Based on feedback from members and the Recognised Assessment Bodies, completion of the Building Safety section will be ‘advisory’ rather than mandatory for the remainder of the year whilst the industry gets up to speed with the new requirements.

There is a growing list of organisations across both the public and private sectors using the Common Assessment Standard, and in accordance with Procurement Policy Note 03/24 published earlier this year, central Government departments and wider public sector bodies should now use the Common Assessment Standard to pre‐qualify suppliers for construction works contracts. Version 4 will be available via the following link from 1 July, and suppliers going through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard after this date will complete the updated question set.

Transforming Pre‐Qualification

As the number of organisations specifying the Common Assessment Standard continues to grow, members of the supply chain only need to obtain certification once from any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. There are two levels of certification ‐ desktop and site‐based ‐ and companies should apply for the appropriate level depending on their trade, size and the requirements of their clients. Certified companies can then share their key PQ data with other Recognised Assessment Bodies to increase their visibility amongst more Contractors and Clients.

Companies in the supply chain keen to see a reduction in the bureaucracy of pre‐qualification should review the different certifications they hold to see if they have the Common Assessment Standard from more than one Recognised Assessment Body and whether that is required for any reason. Any Contractor or Client members who are not yet specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their supply chain and would like further information on doing so should contact Build UK.

Provision of Construction Bonds

Following the announcement by QBE that it will cease providing construction bonds to the UK market, Build UK understands that it had already been declining new enquiries and only servicing existing bond customers for some time. Whilst existing bonds will remain valid until they expire, contractors looking for additional capacity will need to find alternative providers at a time when insurers are looking to manage their exposure and are requiring a much greater level of detail from those they are insuring.

Build UK Professional Services members Miller and Price Forbes have confirmed that there is still appetite and capacity in the market; however, it is spread across a number of surety providers who are each likely to be offering a lower value of cover. Members are encouraged to speak to their insurance broker and ensure they understand the terms and conditions of each bond provided.

Building Control Update

HRB projects overseen by AIS Chartered Surveyors or Assent Building Control will need to stop work on site and transfer to the BSR.
HRB projects overseen by LB Building Control, Oculus Building Consultancy or Clarke Banks are able to continue.
Non‐HRB projects overseen by AIS Chartered Surveyors will need to transfer to an RBCA in order to continue, whilst those overseen by Assent Building Control have until 1 October 2024 to transfer to an RBCA under the transitional arrangements as set out in the BSR guidance.

The deadline for experienced Building Inspectors registered at Class 1 to complete their competence assessment and upgrade their registration to Class 2, 3 or 4 is 6 July. Any Registered Building Inspectors who have not done so by this date will only be able to undertake building control work under supervision

Growing Membership

Build UK does more than represent the construction industry; we work with our members, partners and stakeholders to drive change that strengthens the sector. You can help us increase our influence by sharing our updated membership information with other organisations that would benefit from all the work we are doing and encouraging them to join us

Forum Reminder

The Build UK Forum for all members next Tuesday 2 July from 8:30am ‐ 9:30am will be just two days before the General Election offering the opportunity to contribute your thoughts on the industry’s priorities for the new Government. Members should have received a calendar invite for the Forum and please accept it to confirm your attendance or email Build UK.

Materials Update

The latest update from the CLC Material Supply Chain Group continues to show good levels of product availability, with only minor issues reported for some concrete roof tiles, aircrete blocks, doors and timber products. Demand is expected to increase in the second half of 2024 and companies are being encouraged to plan ahead and communicate requirements early.

Competition Law

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues to monitor anti‐competitive behaviour in construction, and Build UK’s guidance, produced with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP, explains the most common violations of competition law, such as cartels and covering pricing, and the potential sanctions to help businesses and directors understand the risks.

Five Things You May Have Missed in June

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol was awarded an OBE in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to the construction industry.
Ahead of the General Election, Build UK worked with the CLC to publish an open letter with advice for a future Government designed to maximise the contribution of the construction sector.
We hosted our fourth Building Safety call for members this year and shared our overview of the Golden Thread with the wider industry.
Our review of Open Doors 2024 showed the positive impact it has on recruiting the next generation into construction.
More than 50 members attended our roundtable hosted by 3B Training to discuss the withdrawal of CSCS cards obtained via Industry Accreditation.

There will be no Build UK update next week due to the General Election and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 11 July with all the latest news. See you on the other side!

Last Updated: 20/06/2024

Build UK Chief Executive Awarded OBE

Congratulations to Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol who received an OBE in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to the construction industry. Previously honoured with an MBE in 2005, Suzannah has worked in construction for more than 30 years and been instrumental in bringing the industry together within one organisation and providing a strong collective voice for our sector since the formation of Build UK in 2015.

Suzannah, who was inspired to join the industry following a site visit whilst at school, is a passionate advocate for construction and widely respected for her work with Government, media and industry stakeholders. She was recognised by the Worshipful Company of Constructors in 2022 for the leading role played by Build UK in bringing the industry together during the COVID‐19 pandemic, an achievement that she is particularly proud of.

Suzannah said:

“Working on behalf of a sector that offers lifelong and rewarding opportunities, I am so pleased that I have been able to make a difference and will continue to champion the industry on behalf of the businesses and people within it. I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with so many incredible people over the years and would like to thank the Build UK team, particularly Jo Fautley, along with members and colleagues from across the whole supply chain.”

Building Safety Call Focuses on PII

Thanks to all those members who attended our latest Building Safety call earlier this week where Paddy Synnott, part of the UK Professions team at Build UK member Miller, gave an update on the construction Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance market following the implementation of the new building safety regime. Whilst there is more capacity in the market since the end of 2023, which has led to greater availability of cover and a reduction in rates, the changes brought about by the Building Safety Act have prompted insurers to focus on how companies are managing risk.

Paddy discussed the steps that members can take to obtain the most competitive terms when taking out a new PI insurance policy or renewing an existing one. These include demonstrating compliance with the Act’s requirements by keeping good records, implementing robust risk management processes, and engaging with insurers early.

Our next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 17 September and your nominated Building Safety representative will receive details directly.

End of Industry Accreditation

Build UK brought together more than 50 members last week to discuss the withdrawal of CSCS cards obtained via Industry Accreditation. Hosted at the ICE by Build UK member 3B Training, the meeting took members through the process of replacing Industry Accreditation cards before they expire on 31 December 2024. CSCS outlined its guidance for Blue, Gold and Black Industry Accreditation cards issued by the core scheme, whilst 3B Training explained how it is working with employers and individuals to obtain any qualifications required, and Kier shared its experience of recently going through the process with its employees.

With just six months until the deadline, members should be putting in place a plan now to move their workers onto the relevant card. For any workers who need to complete a qualification, there are currently increased CITB grant rates for the achievement of certain S/NVQs when replacing Industry Accreditation cards. CSCS does not issue cards for non‐construction related occupations and anyone who no longer attends site regularly may not require a card.

General Election

Labour was the last of the main political parties to publish its manifesto last week ahead of the General Election. It has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament and develop a 10‐year infrastructure strategy to “give the private sector certainty about the project pipeline”. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have also made commitments on homes and infrastructure in their manifestos.

Price Inflation

The latest report from Build UK member Turner & Townsend alinea forecasts that tender price inflation in London will be 2% in 2024 and 3% in 2025, with labour inflation now outpacing material inflation. Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, sets out how to manage the risks associated with price volatility, including the use of fluctuations provisions.

Routes of Entry

Build UK has updated its guides setting out the most common routes of entry for young people leaving school in England and Scotland, including apprenticeships, college and university. The guides are designed to help members looking to offer opportunities to young people identify which routes will work best for them.

Space to Innovate

Build UK member ISG has published a new report highlighting a link between built space and innovation. It reveals that if all UK organisations invested in appropriate space ‐ suitable facilities and location ‐ it would improve their innovation, leading to a 33% increase in productivity and a £44 billion boost for UK GDP.

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

Build UK member the Supply Chain Sustainability School runs the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme aimed at making workplaces better for everyone. This industry‐wide initiative provides a range of free resources, including an online toolkit, webinars and workshops, to support businesses across the construction supply chain to address workplace cultural challenges and attract and retain people from a wider pool of talent.
The School also offers an easy way for businesses to calculate and demonstrate the diversity of their workforce. By registering for the Annual Diversity Survey, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Sustainability Tool, members can anonymously report their data to create a record for their business which can be used to inform clients, as well as help establish industry‐wide benchmarks. The deadline for responding to the survey is 4 September and the results will be published in December.

Last Updated: 13/06/2024

Election Latest: Priorities for New Government

With just three weeks to go until the General Election on Thursday 4 July, the importance of delivering homes and infrastructure across the UK is being recognised by all the main political parties. The Conservative Manifesto pledges to “deliver 1.6 million homes in England in the next Parliament” and “invest in the digital, transport and energy infrastructure needed for businesses to grow”, whilst the Liberal Democrats Manifesto promises to “build the homes people desperately need” and “enhance local, regional and national connectivity”. The Labour Manifesto is expected to be published later today.

Whilst there have been numerous statements published by organisations across the industry in the run up to the election, reflecting the deep supply chains across development, design, construction, materials and manufacturing, there is broad agreement on what would make a real difference to the successful delivery of homes and infrastructure. The CLC has published an open letter with advice for a future Government designed to help maximise the contribution of the construction sector. Centred around ‘five Ps’ ‐ Pipeline, Procurement, Places to Live, Performance, and People ‐ the letter highlights how we can meet the UK’s infrastructure needs and in turn “unlock investment into the sector, developing the skills and innovation to deliver enhanced productivity and growth… equivalent to 2% of UK GDP”.

Now is the time for the industry to work collectively and ensure a clear and consistent voice from construction on the key measures that will help the new Government achieve its ambitions and power up the UK and grow the economy.

Join Us for the Build UK Forum

The next Build UK Forum for all members will take place two days before the election on Tuesday 2 July from 8:30am ‐ 9:30am offering the opportunity to contribute your thoughts on the industry’s priorities for the new Government. Economic growth will be key for whoever wins the election, making the successful delivery of infrastructure a win‐win for everyone, and we can help the new Government hit the ground running with collective recommendations supported by the whole construction supply chain.

Members should have received a calendar invite for the Forum and please accept it to confirm your attendance or email Build UK. Details of all upcoming Build UK meetings can be found in our schedule of meetings and events.

Reporting on Retentions

Draft legislation to amend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations to include new metrics on retentions was laid just before Parliament was dissolved last month. Large companies will be required to publish the following information as part of their payment reports every six months:

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

Build UK understands that this legislation will be taken forward after the election if agreed by the new Ministers, and as it stands companies would be required to report on the new retentions metrics from 1 January 2025.

Pay Rates 2024

New CIJC pay rates will come into effect from Monday 24 June with a 4.5% increase in the basic wage rates. The CIJC has issued a revised promulgation notice due to a typo, and the new rates should be read in conjunction with the Working Rule Agreement and Holiday Entitlement 2024.

CITB Levy Return

The deadline for employers registered with CITB to submit their completed 2024 Levy Return is 30 June. Failure to submit it on time will result in grant claims being withheld until it is received, and employers who do not submit a Levy Return by 30 November 2024 will lose eligibility for all claims.

Building Control Update

The BSR has confirmed that AIS Chartered Surveyors, a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA), has ceased trading and that Assent has not registered as an RBCA. The BSR has written to developers of more than 50 Higher-Risk Building (HRB) projects who must now apply to the BSR as their Building Control Body and this may cause delays to other HRB projects.

Register for InstallerSHOW

InstallerSHOW is taking place from Tuesday 25 ‐ Thursday 27 June at the NEC, Birmingham, with an extensive speaker programme and more than 600 exhibitors focussed on the sustainable delivery of heat, water, air and energy projects. Register for your free ticket now to discover new products, network and get the latest information on industry trends.

Guidance and Support for Members

The business environment remains extremely challenging and Build UK has published practical guidance on a wide range of issues affecting the construction supply chain. Described as ‘excellent, well laid out, readable and thorough’, our top five most popular guidance notes on the Build UK website this year are:

Build UK members also have exclusive access to a number of helplines and services providing free expert advice on issues ranging from contracts and disputes via Wedlake Bell LLP (England) and Anderson Strathern (Scotland) to employment law and health and safety via Citation.

Last Updated: 06/06/2024

Countdown to the General Election

The Prime Minister caught everyone by surprise when he announced last month that the General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July. Whilst earlier than expected, it does mean that we will have a new Government before the summer and there is now an opportunity for the industry to come together and support the CLC to set out how to maximise the contribution of our sector to the UK economy. With economic growth a priority for all the main political parties, publication of a national infrastructure strategy, which is agreed and funded for the next 10 years, is vital to enable the industry to invest and support the delivery of the economic and social infrastructure the country needs.

Parliament was prorogued on 24 May and dissolved on 30 May meaning that all business in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords has come to an end and we are now in the pre-election period of sensitivity when Ministers and civil servants will exercise caution in making announcements or decisions. Build UK understands that the draft legislation amending the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations to include metrics on retentions, which was laid on 20 May, will be taken forward after the election if agreed by the new Ministers. Other Government activity, including legislation on products, publication of the next edition of the Construction Playbook and the outcome of the ITB review undertaken by Mark Farmer, will be delayed.

The new Parliament will meet for the first time on Tuesday 9 July when MPs and Lords take the oath or affirmation and a new speaker is elected, and the state opening of Parliament is expected to be on Wednesday 17 July.

Recruiting the Future Workforce

Construction needs to recruit 50,000 new entrants each year and Open Doors goes behind the scenes to show young people and those looking for a change of career the wide range of opportunities available. We know there is nothing like seeing the industry in action, and the feedback from this year’s event, which welcomed over 5,000 visitors across the country, has been overwhelmingly positive. With 88% stating that they are now more likely to consider a career in construction, we are delighted to publish a review of Open Doors 2024 highlighting the impact on recruiting the future workforce, and further information can be found in our Open Doors update.

Open Doors will return from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March 2025 so please save the dates in your diary and further information will follow over the summer!

Building Safety Update

The Build UK guide to the building safety regime has been updated to include a link to our overview of the Golden Thread which is now available to the wider industry.

Our next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 18 June at 8:30am where Paddy Synnott, part of the UK Professions team at Professional Services member Miller, will give an update on the current state of the construction Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance market following the introduction of the Building Safety Act.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has confirmed that its Phase 2 report will be published on 4 September. It has been delayed a number of times due to the legal requirement to notify the more than 250 people subject to criticism within the report and the lengthy process of reviewing their responses.

Experienced Building Inspectors who registered at Class 1 before 6 April have one month left to complete their competence assessment and upgrade their registration to Class 2, 3 or 4. Any Registered Building Inspectors who have not done so by 6 July will only be able to undertake building control work under supervision.

Right to Work Checks

The fines for employing illegal workers have increased to a maximum of £45,000 per illegal worker for a first offence and £60,000 for repeated offences, and Build UK members are reminded that they have the following options for ensuring an individual has the right to work in the UK:

Using a certified digital Identity Service Provider (IDSP) to conduct digital checks on any individual who has either a valid British or Irish Passport (or Irish Passport Card). The employer is still required to prove that they have seen the prospective employee face to face, which can be done via video call.
Conducting an online check via the Home Office online service where an individual has been provided with an eVisa or is providing certain documentation, such as a Biometric Residence Card, Biometric Residence Permit or Frontier Worker Permit. 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.
Conducting in‐person manual document‐based checks, where the employer has to physically obtain, check and copy ‘acceptable documents’ from the prospective employee.

Employers conducting any of the above right to work checks in accordance with the Home Office guidance will be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’, which means that, in the event they are found to be employing someone illegally, they will not have to pay a fine.

Build UK AGM

The 2024 Build UK AGM will be held on Tuesday 24 September at 8:30am at the start of an online All Member Forum. The Board for 2024/25 will be appointed at the AGM and any Contractor or Trade Association members interested in submitting a nomination should email Build UK by Monday 1 July.

Approved Document T

Following the changes to Building Regulations to require single‐sex toilet facilities to be provided in new non‐domestic buildings, the Government has published Approved Document T (Toilet Accommodation) with technical guidance on the design and layout of universal toilets, ambulant toilets and toilet cubicles.

Five Things You May Have Missed in May

Build UK further increased its representation of the industry by welcoming four new members: G & A M Lawson, InstallerSHOW, Permasteelisa and Price Forbes.
We finalised the next version of the Common Assessment Standard for publication at the end of this quarter, which includes a new Building Safety section ensuring it can be used to demonstrate organisational capability.
We updated our guides to the Building Safety Regime and PI Insurance for Construction to reflect the latest developments under the Building Safety Act.
Build UK was confirmed as a sponsor for the Building Awards and members have until tomorrow (Friday 7 June) to submit their entries.
Our latest networking event at the fantastic F1 Arcade in London sponsored by ConstructAI, Multiplex and SCAPE went down a storm!

Last Updated: 23/05/2024

Representing #TeamConstruction

Build UK has consistently demonstrated that we can achieve so much more by bringing the whole supply chain together, from keeping the industry open during COVID‐19 to rolling out the Common Assessment Standard for pre‐qualification, which now enables members to demonstrate their organisational capability under the Building Safety Act. The industry continues to face significant challenges, and a huge thank you to all those members who have attended our meetings and events in recent weeks as the information and insights you provide help us to respond to issues so much more effectively.

With a General Election now confirmed for Thursday 4 July, the need for a clear and consistent voice from #TeamConstruction, working collectively to deliver our infrastructure needs, is more important than ever. We are delighted to welcome G & A M Lawson, a civil engineering, plant hire and haulage specialist, as our latest Contractor member following a recommendation from Client member, Sellafield. That is #TeamBuildUK in action and if you know of any other organisations that would benefit from all the work we are doing, then please encourage them to join us.

There will be no Build UK update next week due to the bank holiday and we will be back in your inboxes on Thursday 6 June with all the latest news. We hope you all have a relaxing and well‐deserved break over the long weekend!

Infrastructure Progress Review 2024

The National Infrastructure Commission has released its Infrastructure Progress Review 2024, which shows that the Government’s record on infrastructure delivery over the last 12 months has been ‘mixed’. Whilst there has been progress in areas such as the deployment of digital networks and the revision of National Policy Statements for energy, national networks and water resources, other areas have seen few developments or progress reversed, including the roll out of heat pumps and the scrapping of the second leg of HS2.

Confirming that “infrastructure is pivotal to addressing some of the hardest policy challenges facing the UK”, the review calls on the Government to “provide policy stability, making faster decisions and committing to them for the long term”. It details the actions that should be taken over the next Parliament, including setting out a national infrastructure strategy, increasing investment and removing the barriers that slow down delivery.

PI Insurance Market Update

Build UK Professional Services member Miller is reporting more capacity in the construction Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance market, with increased appetite from insurers leading to a reduction of between 5 ‐ 10% in rates in the first quarter of 2024. There is also greater availability of cover and some insurers are demonstrating a willingness to write limited cover back into policies in respect of fire safety after years of outright exclusions. However, the changes brought about by the Building Safety Act, including increased limitation periods under the Defective Premises Act, have prompted insurers to focus on how companies are managing risk, and it is conceivable that they may look to manage their positions if there is an increase in high value claims.

Build UK’s comprehensive guide to PI Insurance, produced with the support of Miller, provides an overview of what PI insurance is, why it is needed, and the steps that can be taken to obtain the best terms in the current market when taking out a new policy or renewing an existing one.

Building Safety Latest

The first legal action brought by the Government under new powers introduced through the Building Safety Act has seen the Court rule in its favour and issue a Remediation Order requiring the freeholder to fix building safety issues within a mandated timeframe. Under the Act, the Building Safety Regulator, councils, and fire and rescue services all have powers to take enforcement action against building owners not complying with their obligations to leaseholders.

The guidance on Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) has been updated with more information on the four classes of RBI and the different building types they can work on. The guidance on sanctions which can be imposed against an RBI who is found to have breached the Code of Conduct has also been updated.

Under the Building Safety Act, dutyholders must be competent to undertake their role. Where the Principal Contractor is an organisation, it must designate an individual under its control to manage its functions, and Build UK member CIOB has developed the Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme for individuals who are members of CIOB (or an alternative qualifying professional body), with a relevant construction qualification and more than three years’ experience in managing building works, to demonstrate their competence for this role

Industry Outlook

The latest Construction Skills Network report published by CITB estimates that the industry will need to recruit an additional 251,500 new workers by 2028 (50,300 per year) in order to meet the expected levels of work, with the major sectors for demand including private housing, infrastructure, and repair and maintenance.

IA Roundtable

Professional Services member 3B is hosting a roundtable on the end of Industry Accreditation (IA) on Thursday 13 June at 8:00am. With contributions from CSCS and Contractor member Kier, it will outline the support available for moving workers onto the right card, and please email Build UK if you are interested in attending.

RIDDOR Guidance Updated

The HSE has updated its guidance on the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) to help employers understand when they should submit a report. It includes additional information on the types of reportable incidents, particularly occupational diseases, and changes to the online forms.

Net Zero Update

CO₂nstruct Zero now has over 240 Business Champions, who have committed to one or more of the nine priorities within the CLC programme to drive carbon out of the sector. By signing up, members can help the CLC to collate the actions being taken across the industry, and the next round of applications will open in September.

Countdown to InstallerSHOW: 25 ‐ 27 June

InstallerSHOW is back and bigger than ever for 2024! The event from one of Build UK’s newest members focusing on the sustainable delivery of heat, water, air and energy is taking place from Tuesday 25 ‐ Thursday 27 June at the NEC, Birmingham.

With an extensive speaker programme, including a record 10 content streams on Housing, Climate Solutions, Big Buildings, Solar Innovations, and Connectivity, plus more than 600 exhibitors, InstallerSHOW is packed full of solutions for any scale project. 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 free to attend, including parking, and members must register for tickets in advance via the InstallerSHOW website.

Last Updated: 16/05/2024

#TeamBuildUK: Driving the Industry Forward 🏎️

Thank you to all those Build UK members and stakeholders who joined us for our latest networking event at the F1 Arcade in London last week. Kindly sponsored by ConstructAI, Multiplex and SCAPE, it was a fantastic evening of industry networking in a unique location with the opportunity to race around some iconic tracks at the wheel of an F1 simulator!

Congratulations to our tournament winners ‐ including representatives from AFI, CFA, IPAF, JSP, Multiplex and Anderson Strathern ‐ who each received a year’s free subscription to ConstructAI. The AI tool built by Weston Analytics provides information specifically designed for the construction industry to help improve decision‐making and operational efficiency for businesses and projects. All Build UK members can enjoy 50% off the first month of a professional subscription to ConstructAI when using the code ‘BUILDUK2024’ at checkout.

Demonstrating Competence

Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing an individual or organisation to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure that they are competent. For individuals this means having 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, recognised by Government in PPN 03/24 and supported by the CLC, which requires the appropriate management policies, procedures and systems to be in place. The latest version of the Common Assessment Standard, which will be launched at the end of this quarter, includes a new Building Safety section, meaning Build UK members can demonstrate compliance with their dutyholder responsibilities by ensuring that those in their supply chain are certified to the Common Assessment Standard by one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies.

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

More skills and training news can be found in our Recruit, Train and Retain update.

Support from the B&CE Charitable Trust

The B&CE Charitable Trust donates funds each year to various initiatives that support people working in construction. One of its main priorities is providing career opportunities within the industry, and in 2023 it helped almost 500 individuals secure roles in construction or undertake related further education. Grants are available to organisations for education and training leading to accredited qualifications, as well as for health and safety initiatives and research that will benefit the industry, and members can find out more by emailing [email protected].

People’s Partnership is a Build UK Partner and was known as B&CE until 2022, with the B&CE name being retained for construction‐specific products, such as the Charitable Trust. Further information about People’s Partnership and how its products could support your employees can be found on the People’s Partnership website.

JCT Minor Works 2024

JCT has published the 2024 edition of its Minor Works Building Contract, which is designed for smaller projects where the work is of a simple nature. It is the second contract in the JCT 2024 edition to be released after the Design and Build Contract last month, and both contracts are available to purchase via the JCT Construct subscription service, in On Demand digital form, and in hardcopy.

FIS Safety Alert

Build UK Trade Association member FIS has issued a safety alert on the suitability of gypsum‐based systems in the construction of smoke shafts for mechanically ventilated systems. Its members are being advised to seek clarification on performance requirements in accordance with BS EN1366‐8 and where the shaft is classified to BS EN 13501‐4 or elevated negative air pressures are referenced.

Pay Rates 2024

The CIJC has agreed new pay rates from Monday 24 June, which include a 4.5% increase in the basic wage rates. From 1 January 2025, the annual holiday entitlement will increase from 22 to 23 days, plus eight bank holidays. The new rates should be read in conjunction with the Working Rule Agreement and Holiday Entitlement 2024.

Materials Update

The latest update from the CLC Material Supply Chain Group continues to show good levels of product availability across the board. However, there are reports of price volatility affecting timber products, as a result of reduced production, and PIR insulation boards due to issues around the supply of chemicals used in their manufacture.

Building Safety Course

A group of Build UK members, led by Equans, has developed a training course on the Building Safety Act to provide an overview of the changes and the responsibilities of the various dutyholders, which is suitable for all members of the supply chain. Building Safety Act: Awareness is available as an e‐learning course via the CIOB website for £25 + VAT and Build UK members can receive a 20% discount by entering the code ‘bsabuild24’ when registering.

Professional Services member 3B Training is delivering the course, which is titled Understanding the Building Safety Act, online with a live trainer for a cost of £195 + VAT. It can also be delivered in person to suit a company’s needs and the price will be confirmed upon enquiry. CITB‐registered employers will receive a £60 grant for each individual that completes the course either online or in person.

Last Updated: 13/05/2024

Are You Ready for the End of Industry Accreditation?

In line with the latest version of the CLC recommendation on Industry Card Schemes, which confirms that all cards carrying the CSCS logo for skilled occupations should be achieved by qualification, cards obtained via Industry Accreditation will no longer be renewed from 30 June 2024 and all such cards will expire on 31 December 2024. CSCS has issued guidance on replacing Blue, Gold and Black Industry Accreditation cards issued by the core scheme, and there are now just 25,000 individuals holding these cards, down from more than 60,000.

Members should be identifying the appropriate route for each of their workers to move onto the relevant card, which will depend on their occupation and any qualifications they hold. For any workers who need to complete a qualification, you should be putting in place a plan as soon as possible, and there are currently increased CITB grant rates for the achievement of certain S/NVQs when replacing Industry Accreditation cards. CSCS does not issue cards for non‐construction related occupations and anyone who no longer attends site regularly may not require a card.

Demonstrating Competence

CITB Business Plan Published

CITB has launched its Business Plan 2024‐25 which sets out three priorities designed to support the industry to recruit and train the workforce it needs now and in the future:

Inform and enable diverse and skilled people into construction by increasing direct support for employers to recruit and retain the people they need and providing careers information to a wider range of potential new entrants.
Develop a training and skills system to meet current and future needs by establishing an industry‐owned definition of competence and identifying alternative entry routes.
Support the industry to train and develop its workforce by investing in the existing workforce and making sure that training provision works for industry, with a particular focus on improving the accessibility of training SMEs.

CITB will measure its performance in delivering the Business Plan against three key measures: 15% increase in the number of new entrants, 14% increase in the number of employers supported to train and upskill their workforce, and 13% increase in the number of individuals supported to train and upskill.

CITB is hosting a conference on Thursday 6 June at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to outline the support available to CITB‐registered employers, including grants and funding, with a choice of four workshops on current industry topics. The conference is free to attend and members can register online.

Talent Retention Scheme

The CLC has confirmed that the Construction Talent Retention Scheme will continue to operate in order to help the industry retain people with the skills it needs. It is a free job matching service which members can use to recruit experienced staff by listing their vacancies and searching CVs of potential candidates.

Skills Inquiry

The House of Lords has launched an inquiry, Skills for the future: apprenticeships and training, looking at whether the current systems for apprenticeships and in‐work training meet the needs of employers and the UK economy and, if not, how they should be reformed. The deadline to submit evidence is Thursday 30 May.

CIOB Report

Build UK member CIOB has published a report on how businesses in construction can make recruitment more accessible to individuals with a criminal record and the positive outcomes that can be achieved. It includes a case study from Build UK member Kier on its programme with prisons to provide opportunities to people with criminal convictions.

Mental Health Awareness

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is #MomentsForMovement. Whilst many workers in construction have physically active roles, others spend long periods each day sitting down, and the Mental Health Foundation has published tips on making time for movement, which can protect mental health, reduce stress, and improve sleep.

New Industry Appointments

Luke Hall MP has been confirmed as the new Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Minister, succeeding Robert Halfon MP who held the post for 17 months. Alan Mak MP is the new Construction Minister and will take up the position of Co‐Chair on the CLC, succeeding Nusrat Ghani MP.

CITB has appointed five new trustees to its Board, including Build UK members Rachael Cunningham (Laing O’Rourke) and Stephen Gray (BAM Nuttall). They join fellow members Holly Price (Keltbray), Louisa Finlay (Kier) and Sophie Seddon (Novus) on the Board, which is responsible for CITB’s governance and strategic direction.

Dame Janet Paraskeva, a former civil service commissioner and ex‐Chief Executive of the Law Society, has been confirmed as the new Chair of the CSCS Board from 1 May 2024, succeeding Carolyn Uphill.

Last Updated: 09/05/2024

Building Safety Guide Updated

Build UK has updated its guide to the building safety regime to reflect the latest information and guidance that has been published. The changes in the May 2024 version include:

Clarification on the dutyholder roles including a link to the formal handover process that must be followed in the event of a change in dutyholder.
Links to the DLUHC guidance on the building control process for HRBs and the supplementary question and answer sheet.
Updated links for various guidance on the Gateways, including Building Control Approval and the change control process.
An updated Approved Document B section, including a summary of the amendments that have been made since the Grenfell Tower fire.
A link to the new Building Remediation Hub which must now be used to apply for the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme.
An updated version of our Building Safety Timeline.

Build UK has also updated its overview of the Golden Thread to include details of the Building Control Approval information that should be included in the Golden Thread, as set out in the latest version of the BSR guidance. The BSR is regularly updating its guidance on the new regime and members should always refer to the latest online version of a guide for the most up to date information. For more building safety news, please see our latest Building Safety update.

Tackling Modern Slavery

Construction has been identified by the Home Office as a high‐risk sector for modern slavery due to its complex supply chains, multiple levels of sub‐contracting and high turnover of labour on projects. Large companies with an annual turnover of more than £36 million are legally required to publish an annual modern slavery statement setting out the steps taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of their business or supply chain.

The Stronger Together construction programme, led by Build UK member CIOB, is designed to help all employers in the industry ensure workers are recruited responsibly and work free from exploitation. It offers a wide range of free resources, which members can access after registering, including a toolkit to help identify and prevent modern slavery. Supported by the Government, the charity Unseen operates a confidential helpline to report any concerns about exploitation, which can be reached via 08000 121 700

Enter the Building Awards!

Build UK is delighted to support the Building Awards again this year, with entries now open across 21 categories, including a number of new categories for 2024. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your achievements and the hard work of your teams over the last 12 months, and a number of Build UK members went home with a trophy in 2023, including Mace (Major Contractor and Project of the Year), Berkeley Group (Housebuilder of the Year) and Tilbury Douglas (Digital Excellence Award)! It’s free to register to view the criteria and the deadline for entries is Friday 7 June.

The Building Awards 2024 will take place on the evening of Tuesday 5 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London and tickets will go on sale shortly.

Payment Performance

Build UK has updated its payment performance table 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 29 days, down from 45 days when the table was launched in 2018, with 95% paid within 60 days.

Drugs & Alcohol Policy

Build UK’s template Drugs & Alcohol Policy, produced with the support of Eurofins Workplace Drug Testing, provides a consistent framework for drug and alcohol testing across the industry. Members can adopt the policy, which is endorsed by the CLC, in its entirety or incorporate elements of it into their own policy.

CLC Carbon Commitments

Build UK members National Highways and Sellafield are among the first clients to sign up to the CLC’s Five Client Carbon Commitments. These are practical steps organisations can take to reduce their carbon emissions, including eliminating the most carbon‐intensive concrete and steel products.

Carbon Tax Consultation

HMRC and the Treasury are consulting on proposals for the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism, which will place a tax on certain carbon‐intensive imported goods, including cement, ceramics, and iron and steel, from 1 January 2027. The deadline to submit a response is Thursday 13 June.

Mental Health Awareness Week ‐ Get Involved

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from next Monday 13 ‐ Sunday 19 May and the theme this year is movement and helping people to find moments for movement in their daily routines. Whilst many workers in construction have physically active roles, others will spend long periods each day sitting down, and the Mental Health Foundation has published tips on how to make time for regular movement, which can protect mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.

Members can get involved on social media next week using the hashtag #MomentsForMovement to show their support.

Last Updated: 08/05/2024

Members Hear from BSR and LABC

Thanks to all those members who attended our latest Building Safety call last month where Andrew Moore, Head of Operations Planning and Building Control at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and Martin Taylor, Executive Director at Local Authority Building Control (LABC), gave a unique insight into the latest phase of the building safety regime from 6 April.

Applications at Gateway Two must demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, including sufficient information to show how the building will be built, and there will be a robust but proportionate approach from the BSR, which will not result in any watering down of standards, as suggested in recent media articles.
When applying for Building Control Approval, the Building Regulations compliance statement should contain a clear ‘narrative’ setting out how the planned work will meet Building Regulations, including the guidance or standards used.
LABC is no longer able to provide pre‐planning advice in relation to applications for Higher‐Risk Building (HRB) projects where it would create a conflict with its role in providing building control services; however, it is anticipated that LABC will continue to signpost to best practice guidance.
The role of Principal Designer should be undertaken by a lead designer who has authority over design decisions and is able to co‐ordinate the design work and challenge the design team to ensure all designs comply with relevant Building Regulations. In the event of a change in Principal Designer, there is a formal handover process within the regulations (section 11O) that must be followed.
There is a need to clarify the requirements for hospitals and care homes at different stages of the HRB regime, for example whether Gateway Three approval is required before wards can be reoccupied after refurbishment work.

Our next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 18 June at 8:30am and your nominated Building Safety representative will shortly receive details directly. Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol also chaired the final webinar on the Building Safety Act hosted by the BSR and the CLC, and the series is available to watch on demand.

Building Safety Guide Updated

Build UK has updated its guide to the building safety regime to reflect the latest information and guidance that has been published. The changes in the May 2024 version include:

Clarification on the dutyholder roles including a link to the formal handover process that must be followed in the event of a change in dutyholder.
Links to the DLUHC guidance on the building control process for HRBs and the supplementary question and answer sheet.
Updated links for various guidance on the Gateways, including Building Control Approval and the change control process.
An updated Approved Document B section, including a summary of the amendments that have been made since the Grenfell Tower fire.
A link to the new Building Remediation Hub which must now be used to apply for the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme
An updated version of our Building Safety Timeline.

Build UK has also updated its overview of the Golden Thread to include details of the Building Control Approval information that should be included in the Golden Thread, as set out in the latest version of the BSR guidance. This Build UK guide is intended for members only and please do not share via websites or social media.

The BSR is regularly updating its guidance on the new regime and members should always refer to the latest online version of a guide for the most up to date information.

Changes to Approved Document B

Amendments to Approved Document B (Fire Safety) were published on 29 March 2024, which include new guidance for second staircases in new residential buildings above 18 metres in height. There are transitional arrangements which mean:

Until 30 September 2026, new Building Regulations applications can meet either the new or the previous guidance.
After 30 September 2026, any applications following the previous guidance where building work has started prior to that date will have 18 months to sufficiently progress.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove has confirmed in a written statement to Parliament that the new guidance on second staircases, which is intended to “provide additional capacity to reduce congestion, support egress and facilitate additional access for firefighting and rescue”, will apply nationally. When changes are made to the Building Regulations or new guidance is issued, a separate amendment is published which should be read in conjunction with the original Approved Document until it is updated to incorporate the changes.

Building Remediation Hub

Homes England has launched the Building Remediation Hub which allows applications for the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme to be processed via a single portal. All applications must demonstrate eligibility for remediation works through a Fire Risk Assessment of External Walls (FRAEW) and provide details on the Responsible Entity.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has confirmed that publication of its Phase 2 report has been delayed again and will now be published after the next anniversary of the fire in June. This is due to the legal requirement to notify the more than 250 people who may be subject to criticism within the report and the lengthy process of reviewing their responses.

Safety Case Reports

A joint letter from Lee Rowley, Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Building Safety, and Philip White, HSE Director of Building Safety, to building managers has sought to address concerns about the cost of producing Safety Case reports. It confirms the focus should be on ensuring serious safety risks are addressed and that any subsequent service charges should be reasonable and proportionate.

BAC Guidance

The BSR has updated its guidance on preparing a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC) application which confirms that buildings between 30 and 50 metres with more than 217 residential units will also be prioritised alongside buildings that are 50 metres plus with more than 11 residential units. Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) have 28 days to submit their BAC application when contacted by the BSR

Cladding Remediation Update

The latest Building Safety Remediation data published by DLUHC shows that, of the 496 high‐rise residential buildings identified to have unsafe ACM cladding:

Remediation work has been fully completed on 433 (87%)
Work has started on 54 (11%)
Of the remaining 9 (2%), 6 have start dates, 1 is vacant, 1 is subject to local authority enforcement action, and 1 is newly in scope of the ACM monitoring programme.

The monthly data release covers all remediation programmes supporting residential buildings over 11 metres in England with unsafe cladding to show the progress that has been made.

Last Updated: 02/05/2024

Build UK Continues to Grow

Off the back of a busy first quarter, which included gearing up for the next phase of the building safety regime and an inspiring Open Doors 2024, we are delighted to welcome three new members to #TeamBuildUK and extend our support for the industry even further.

Permasteelisa becomes our latest Contractor member and is a global specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of technically advanced building envelopes, involved in some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including 25 live projects in London.
Price Forbes, part of Ardonagh Specialty, is an independent insurance broker and joins us as a Professional Services member. Partnering with clients around the world, Price Forbes takes pride in placing even the most complex risks.
InstallerSHOW, which welcomes 20,000 installers and specifiers from the heat, water, air and energy sectors each year, is our newest Alliance member ahead of this year’s show from 25 ‐ 27 June at the NEC, Birmingham.

The current market is extremely challenging for businesses across the supply chain and Build UK has consistently demonstrated that it can deliver change for the benefit of the whole industry with everyone around the same table. If you know of any other organisations that would benefit from all the work we are doing by being in membership, then please encourage them to join us.

End of Industry Accreditation

In line with the latest version of the CLC recommendation on Industry Card Schemes, which confirms that all cards carrying the CSCS logo for skilled occupations should be achieved by qualification, cards obtained via Industry Accreditation will no longer be renewed from 30 June and all such cards will expire on 31 December. There are 25,000 individuals still holding Industry Accreditation cards, down from more than 60,000, and CSCS has issued guidance on replacing Blue, Gold or Black Industry Accreditation cards issued by the core scheme.

Members should be identifying the appropriate route for each of their workers to move onto the relevant card, which will depend on their occupation and any qualifications they hold. For any workers who need to complete a qualification, you should be putting in place a plan as soon as possible, and there are currently increased CITB grant rates for the achievement of certain S/NVQs when replacing Industry Accreditation cards. CSCS does not issue cards for non‐construction related occupations and anyone who no longer attends site regularly may not require a card.

Managing Contractual Risk

Professional Services member Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) has published its latest annual Procurement Trends report, which indicates that clients are more willing to procure in ways that avoid shifting risk onto the supply chain. With contractors identifying the robustness of the supply chain as the greatest risk they face over the next year, Build UK’s contract terms recommendation identifies six contract terms which should be avoided in order to promote collaboration and ensure a fair allocation of risk throughout the supply chain.

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.

Building Safety Webinars

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol chaired the final webinar on the Building Safety Act hosted by the BSR and the CLC, which saw the BSR, Office for Product Safety and Standards, and Build UK Client member Related Argent respond to a wide range of questions. All recent BSR webinars are available to watch on demand.

Talent Retention Scheme

Five Things You May Have Missed in April

Publication of PPN 03/24 means the Common Assessment Standard should now be used for pre‐qualifying suppliers in the public sector, and we were shortlisted for the CN Awards 2024 for our work to transform pre‐qualification!
The BSR and the LABC joined our Building Safety call to provide an update on the latest phase of the regime, and we published an overview of the Golden Thread and updated our guide.
We had a great turnout for our latest Forum meeting, including new member Turner & Townsend alinea, where Ron Lang from AtkinsRéalis explored the benefits of industrialised construction.
Companies bidding for Government contracts over £5 million must now demonstrate they pay invoices within an average of 55 days after PPN 10/23 came into effect, and Build UK’s payment performance table shows the results for over 125 of the industry’s largest companies.
The CLC published an updated version of its recommendation on Industry Card Schemes, with Build UK’s How to be a Smart Site explaining how to check cards to ensure individuals hold the right one.

Last Updated: 25/04/2024

Members Hear from BSR and LABC

Thanks to all those members who attended our latest Building Safety call earlier this week where Andrew Moore, Head of Operations Planning and Building Control at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and Martin Taylor, Executive Director at Local Authority Building Control (LABC), gave a unique insight into the latest phase of the building safety regime from 6 April.

Applications at Gateway Two must demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, including sufficient information to show how the building will be built, and there will be a robust but proportionate approach from the BSR, which will not result in any watering down of standards, as suggested in recent media articles.
When applying for Building Control Approval, the Building Regulations compliance statement should contain a clear ‘narrative’ setting out how the planned work will meet Building Regulations, including the guidance or standards used.
LABC is no longer able to provide pre‐planning advice in relation to applications for Higher‐Risk Building (HRB) projects where it would create a conflict with its role in providing building control services; however, it is anticipated that LABC will continue to signpost to best practice guidance.
The role of Principal Designer should be undertaken by a lead designer who has authority over design decisions and is able to co‐ordinate the design work and challenge the design team to ensure all designs comply with relevant Building Regulations. In the event of a change in Principal Designer, there is a formal handover process within the regulations (section 11O) that must be followed.
There is a need to clarify the requirements for hospitals and care homes at different stages of the HRB regime, for example whether Gateway Three approval is required before wards can be reoccupied after refurbishment work.

In a written statement to Parliament last week, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove confirmed that the new guidance on second staircases, which is intended to “provide additional capacity to reduce congestion, support egress and facilitate additional access for firefighting and rescue”, will apply nationally.

Our next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 18 June and your nominated Building Safety representative will receive details directly.

Common Assessment Standard Update

Following publication of PPN 03/24, which removes reference to PAS 91 meaning central Government departments and wider public sector bodies should use the Common Assessment Standard for pre‐qualifying suppliers, Build UK has finalised an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard. Version 4, which will be launched at the end of this quarter, includes a new Building Safety section, ensuring it can be used to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act. It has also been consolidated and streamlined following the withdrawal of PAS 91, whilst continuing to provide the same level of assurance for stage 1 pre‐qualification.

The Common Assessment Standard has two levels of certification ‐ desktop and site‐based ‐ and companies apply to a Recognised Assessment Body for the certification level that is most appropriate for their business based on a range of factors including trade, size and the requirements of their clients. It is being specified by a growing list of clients and contractors, and a number of Build UK Trade Association members are also accepting the Common Assessment Standard as part of their membership audit schemes, further reducing duplication for the supply chain.

CITB Business Plan Published

CITB has launched its Business Plan 2024‐25 which sets out three priorities designed to support the industry to recruit and train the workforce it needs now and in the future:

Inform and enable diverse and skilled people into construction by increasing direct support for employers to recruit and retain the people they need and providing careers information to a wider range of potential new entrants.
Develop a training and skills system to meet current and future needs by establishing an industry‐owned definition of competence and identifying alternative entry routes.
Support the industry to train and develop its workforce by investing in the existing workforce and making sure that training provision works for industry, with a particular focus on improving the accessibility of training SMEs.

New Construction Minister

Alan Mak has been confirmed as the new Construction Minister and will take up the position of Co‐Chair on the CLC and join its regular industry calls. Previously Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and a Government Whip, he succeeds Nusrat Ghani who held the post for 16 months.

NSIP Guidance

As part of the Government’s reforms to speed up the delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP), National Infrastructure Planning Guidance has been updated and a new online portal launched with up to date guidance on all aspects of the NSIP system in one place.

No Falls Week

A number of Build UK Trade Association members are partnering with No Falls Week from Monday 13 to Friday 17 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.

Green Agreements

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance to help businesses understand how they can collaborate on environmental sustainability agreements without breaching competition law. Where there is any doubt, the CMA is operating an ‘open‐door policy’ to informally assess proposed agreements, and there is a new guide on submitting such requests.

Celebrating the Impact of Open Doors 2024 🎉

“Gave a whole new perspective of construction” 💬

🗨️ “Opened their eyes to opportunities in the industry”

“Amazed to find out the range of roles available” 💬

🗨️ “Many are thinking of a career in the industry now”

“Reinforced my son’s career choice in construction” 💬

🗨️ “Would love to have work experience there”

“Highly recommended for any school” 💬

Last Updated: 18/04/2024

Establishing the Building Safety Regime

Build UK has recently updated its guide to the Building Safety Regime to include all the information published in connection with the latest phase of the regime from 6 April. The April 2024 version includes the new registers for Building Control Approvers and Building Inspectors and updates to Approved Document B, including guidance for second staircases in new residential buildings above 18 metres in height. Build UK has also produced an overview of the Golden Thread for members, summarising the new requirement to collate and store information for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), and our timeline shows at a glance when all the key changes take effect.

Homes England has launched the Building Remediation Hub which allows applications for the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme to be processed via a single portal. The Building Safety Fund covers the replacement of unsafe non‐ACM cladding systems on residential buildings 18 metres and over in height in London, whilst the Cladding Safety Scheme funds the replacement of unsafe cladding systems on residential buildings over 11 metres (11 ‐ 18 metres in London).

Following publication of the fourth report by the Industry Safety Steering Group, Chair Dame Judith Hackitt has released a blog reflecting on the ‘huge progress’ to date and urging the industry to continue to work together to ensure the new regime is a success. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has confirmed that publication of its Phase 2 report has been delayed and will now be published after the next anniversary of the fire in June.

Benefits of Industrialised Construction

Thanks to all those members who attended our Forum meeting earlier this week, where Ron Lang, Regional Director at Build UK member AtkinsRéalis, explored the benefits of industrialised construction and what needs to change to give businesses across the supply chain the confidence to invest in new products and technologies. Ron gave a fascinating insight into what could be gained from moving away from the traditional ‘engineer‐to‐order’ delivery model in favour of more consistency, including standard technical systems, repeatable processes and stable relationships.

Whilst there is a balance to be found between standardisation and specialisation, there are significant benefits to be realised from a programme‐based approach where a clear pipeline and sufficient volume of work can lead to increased productivity, reduced waste and lower defects. Ron has recently been appointed Chair of the CLC Industrialised Construction Working Group, which has taken responsibility for the Product Platform Rulebook originally published by the Construction Innovation Hub.

The next Forum meeting for all members will take place on Tuesday 2 July from 8:30am ‐ 9:30am, and details of all other Build UK meetings can be found in our schedule of meetings and events.

New Edition of JCT Contracts

JCT has begun publishing the next edition of its contracts, with the Design and Build Contract (DB 2024) the first to be released. DB 2024, which is designed for projects where the contractor carries out both the design and construction work and detailed provisions are needed, provides for collaborative working, sustainability, advanced payment, bonds, third party rights and collateral warranties.

The new JCT 2024 edition features a range of updates, including the adoption of gender‐neutral language and key legislative changes in relation to the Building Safety Act and the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act. JCT is hosting an online launch event on Wednesday 1 May to provide more information on the key changes, and contracts will be available to purchase via the JCT Construct subscription service, in On Demand digital form and in hardcopy as they are released.

Credit Insurance Survey

The CLC has launched a survey on Trade Credit Insurance to understand the current market position with regards to its provision. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes, and members across the supply chain are encouraged to share their views by the deadline of Friday 26 April.

Apprenticeship Support

The Government has confirmed that for new apprenticeship starts from 1 April where employers do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy it will fund all the training costs, up to the funding band maximum, for apprentices aged between 16 and 21 years old when they start their training.

CITB Board

CITB has appointed five new trustees to its Board, including Build UK members, Rachael Cunningham (Laing O’Rourke) and Stephen Gray (BAM Nuttall). They join fellow members Holly Price (Keltbray), Louisa Finlay (Kier) and Sophie Seddon (Novus) on the Board, which is responsible for CITB’s governance and strategic direction

Flexible Working

Changes to family friendly and flexible working rights took effect from 6 April, including the right to request flexible working from day one of employment, rather than after 26 weeks, and twice in a 12‐month period. ACAS has now published a Code of Practice with guidance for employers on handling requests for flexible working.

Build UK Networking Event ‐ Join Us!

We’ve had a fantastic response to Build UK’s next networking event, which is taking place on the evening of Thursday 9 May at the F1 Arcade in London! Kindly sponsored by ConstructAI, Multiplex and SCAPE, it will be a social event giving members and stakeholders the opportunity to get to know each other and share ideas in a unique location with all the glamour of Formula 1.

It’s not long now until lights out and there are only a few places left so RSVP as soon as possible for your chance to get behind the wheel in a racing simulator and feel like a pro ‐ or join us for a cocktail if you would prefer to cheer from the sidelines!

Last Updated: 11/04/2024

Building Safety Regime Gathers Pace

The next phase of the building safety regime came into effect from 6 April and Building Control Approvers and Building Inspectors must now be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Build UK has updated its guide to the regime to reflect the latest information that has been published, and the changes in the April 2024 version include:

Links to the registers for Building Control Approvers and Building Inspectors.
Transitional arrangements for experienced Building Inspectors registered as a Class 1 Registered Building Inspector by 6 April who must complete their competence assessment by 6 July.
Final versions of the Operational Standards Rules for Building Control Bodies, Professional Conduct Rules for Registered Building Control Approvers, and Code of Conduct for Registered Building Inspectors.
Updated information on Approved Document B which now includes new guidance on second staircases in new residential buildings above 18 metres in height. Under the transitional arrangements, new Building Regulations applications can meet either the new or the previous guidance until 30 September 2026.
New guidance for dutyholders to help them meet the requirements of their roles.
New guidance for Accountable Persons on the information they must provide and for Principal Accountable Persons on applying for a Building Assessment Certificate.
An updated version of our Building Safety Timeline.

Build UK has also produced an overview of the Golden Thread for members, and the DLUHC letter on the building control process published on 1 February has been supplemented by a question and answer sheet.

Common Assessment Standard Latest

The Cabinet Office has published Procurement Policy Note 03/24 which removes reference to PAS 91 meaning the Common Assessment Standard should now be used across the public sector. Following the withdrawal of PAS 91 by BSI last year, central Government departments and wider public sector bodies can only use the Common Assessment Standard for pre‐qualifying suppliers for construction works contracts. The changes to the PPN must be implemented by contracting authorities within three months, and it is another significant step forward for the Common Assessment Standard, which will help to reduce duplication for the supply chain whilst streamlining public sector procurement.

In recognition of how it is transforming pre‐qualification, the Common Assessment Standard has been shortlisted for the CN Awards 2024 in the Supply Chain Collaboration Excellence category! The Common Assessment Standard has reached a tipping point over the last 12 months, with a growing list of contractors and clients specifying it and more than 18,500 companies certified against it by five Recognised Assessment Bodies. It is also being updated to ensure it can be used to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their roles under the Building Safety Act.

Immigration Update

As part of the Government’s plan to reduce net migration, changes to the immigration system have now started to take effect. The minimum salary required for a Skilled Worker visa has been increased from £26,200 to £38,700 and the new Immigration Salary List (ISL) has replaced the Shortage Occupations List from 4 April. There are six construction occupations included on the ISL ‐ bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, high integrity pipe welders, retrofitters, roofers, and stone masons ‐ and workers will be able to be paid either £30,960 or the occupation‐specific threshold (whichever is higher), compared to the general minimum salary of £38,700 for a Skilled Worker visa. Employees already on a Skilled Worker visa will not need to meet the new salary thresholds if their visas are extended before 2030.

Build UK’s flowchart provides an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK in construction, with detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. All the latest skills and training news can be found in our Recruit, Train and Retain update.

Government Payment Requirements

Companies bidding for Government contracts over £5 million per annum must now demonstrate that they pay invoices within an average of 55 days, otherwise they will be excluded from bidding. In accordance with PPN 10/23 which came into effect from 1 April, the new requirement is in addition to the one to pay at least 95% of invoices within 60 days (90% where an action plan is provided). The guidance to the PPN confirms that companies must meet both requirements in at least one of their two previous six month reporting periods under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, although any companies that have failed to do so may submit data that has not yet been reported for the previous three or more months.

Build UK’s payment performance table, which will be updated again at the end of this month, shows the results for more than 125 of the industry’s largest companies, and all Build UK tier one Contractor members pay invoices within an average of 55 days.

New Member

We are delighted to welcome Turner & Townsend alinea as our latest Professional Services member, further increasing Build UK’s representation of the whole construction supply chain. Turner & Townsend alinea is a data‐led, digital cost consultancy which has worked on major projects including Battersea Power Station and 22 Bishopsgate, delivering for clients across multiple sectors.

All Member Forum

The next Build UK Forum meeting is taking place next Tuesday 16 April, where we will be joined by Ron Lang, Regional Director at Build UK member AtkinsRéalis, to explore what needs to change to drive investment in new manufacturing technologies. Members should have received a calendar invite with the details and please accept it to confirm your attendance or email Build UK.

Building Safety Regime ‐ Dates for Your Diary

Tuesday 23 April ‐ Build UK Building Safety Call
We will be joined by Andrew Moore, Head of Operations Planning and Building Control at the BSR, and Martin Taylor, Executive Director at Local Authority Building Control (LABC), who will provide an update on the new building control system, and your nominated Building Safety representative should have received details directly.
Monday 29 April ‐ BSR & CLC Webinar
Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol will be chairing the final session in this series of webinars on the Building Safety Act, and members must register to attend.
Tuesday 21 May ‐ BSR Conference This annual conference hosted by the HSE at the NEC Birmingham will offer the industry the opportunity to hear directly from the BSR, and members can express their interest to attend.

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

New Construction Minister

NSIP Guidance

No Falls Week

Green Agreements

Floor coatings, failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Importance of Fire Retardant Paints

CITB to host first Construction, Skills and Community Wealth Conference in Scotland

Employer’s guide to the three upcoming employment bills