Expertise and Opinion on UK Construction Industry | Construction News https://www.constructionnews.co.uk Read UK Construction Industry News, Analysis, Opinion and data Thu, 08 May 2025 09:11:18 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0 https://cdn.ca.emap.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/favicon-cn192-70x70.png Expertise and Opinion on UK Construction Industry | Construction News https://www.constructionnews.co.uk 32 32 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/wp-content/themes/mbm-mops-2017/images/logo.gif Construction News https://www.constructionnews.co.uk 125 75 Read UK Construction Industry News, Analysis, Opinion and data The energy transition needs talent – and we need to keep it moving https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-energy-transition-needs-talent-and-we-need-to-keep-it-moving-08-05-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-energy-transition-needs-talent-and-we-need-to-keep-it-moving-08-05-2025/#respond Thu, 08 May 2025 09:11:18 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=519071 Stephen Tomkins is Balfour Beatty’s project director at Hinkley Point C The UK’s energy market stands at a critical juncture. As the country accelerates its transition towards renewables, the demand for skilled professionals has never been greater. However, the industry faces an undeniable challenge: a…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-energy-transition-needs-talent-and-we-need-to-keep-it-moving-08-05-2025/feed/ 0 How to fix construction’s skill pathways https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/how-to-fix-constructions-skill-pathways-06-05-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/how-to-fix-constructions-skill-pathways-06-05-2025/#comments Tue, 06 May 2025 10:13:13 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=519018 James Farr, director at post-16 skills and training consultancy Think  In the construction industry, facing complex challenges is part of the daily routine, whether it’s managing budgets, navigating supply chains or ensuring a project is built to the highest standard. But there’s another pressing puzzle…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/how-to-fix-constructions-skill-pathways-06-05-2025/feed/ 1 The defence boom: a lifeline for UK construction? https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-defence-boom-a-lifeline-for-uk-construction-02-05-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-defence-boom-a-lifeline-for-uk-construction-02-05-2025/#respond Fri, 02 May 2025 09:57:25 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=519006 Mark Leeson is operations director at consultancy McBains Will the government’s recent defence-spending boost provide ammunition to help spark construction’s recovery? To say recent construction industry forecasts have been downbeat would be an understatement, what with consultancy Arcadis’ market-view report predicting a painfully slow revival…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-defence-boom-a-lifeline-for-uk-construction-02-05-2025/feed/ 0 ‘Timber security’ is as vital as food security for the UK’s sustainability https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/timber-security-is-as-vital-as-food-security-for-the-uks-sustainability-01-05-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/timber-security-is-as-vital-as-food-security-for-the-uks-sustainability-01-05-2025/#respond Thu, 01 May 2025 09:50:46 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=518986 Richard Stanford is chief executive of the Forestry Commission          The urgency of the climate crisis and the increasing demand for sustainable building practices make it clear that we must move beyond commonly used materials and embrace renewable alternatives. Timber is the most promising solution –…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/timber-security-is-as-vital-as-food-security-for-the-uks-sustainability-01-05-2025/feed/ 0 Unlocking progress: How to make building safety work for growth https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/unlocking-progress-how-to-make-building-safety-work-for-growth-30-04-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/unlocking-progress-how-to-make-building-safety-work-for-growth-30-04-2025/#respond Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:45:34 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=519607 George Downing is the founder and chairman of Downing Group I understand the importance of ensuring safer buildings, particularly considering the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The government has demanded stronger regulations to prevent future disasters. However, the current implementation of the gateway system is creating unnecessary delays that are…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/unlocking-progress-how-to-make-building-safety-work-for-growth-30-04-2025/feed/ 0 The payoff of new towns could be huge – if we get it right https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-payoff-of-new-towns-could-be-huge-if-we-get-it-right-28-04-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-payoff-of-new-towns-could-be-huge-if-we-get-it-right-28-04-2025/#respond Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:04:05 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=518408 Richard Cook is head of economics at Pegasus The government is faced with many significant challenges, and one of the most pressing is significantly increasing the construction of new homes. Following the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its commitment to building 1.5 million…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-payoff-of-new-towns-could-be-huge-if-we-get-it-right-28-04-2025/feed/ 0 The power of perception in private finance decision https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-power-of-perception-in-private-finance-decision-25-04-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-power-of-perception-in-private-finance-decision-25-04-2025/#respond Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:39:01 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=519065 Writing in Construction News, Paul Morrell, the government’s former construction adviser, offers a blunt assessment: “Policy and government communications are profoundly influenced by how they will play in the press and on the street.” His critique of the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/the-power-of-perception-in-private-finance-decision-25-04-2025/feed/ 0 Why is building safety litigation on the rise? https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/why-is-building-safety-litigation-on-the-rise-24-04-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/why-is-building-safety-litigation-on-the-rise-24-04-2025/#respond Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:04:53 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=518401 Chloe Derrick is a partner at law firm Stewarts The construction sector has been subject to a significant liability shift, following a wholesale review of building regulation and practice after the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. Legal claims for cladding and fire safety losses…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/why-is-building-safety-litigation-on-the-rise-24-04-2025/feed/ 0 Misinformation is holding back Britain’s ability to build vital infrastructure https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/misinformation-is-holding-back-britains-ability-to-build-vital-infrastructure-23-04-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/misinformation-is-holding-back-britains-ability-to-build-vital-infrastructure-23-04-2025/#respond Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:52:22 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=518410 Mark Owen-Lloyd is director of Photovolt Development Partners Bats, newts, fish and other creatures large and small have recently found themselves in the spotlight, carrying the blame for Britain’s slow, expensive process for building infrastructure. Claims of harm against these critters are often driven by…

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]]> https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/misinformation-is-holding-back-britains-ability-to-build-vital-infrastructure-23-04-2025/feed/ 0 Whatever happened to the 2025 retentions roadmap? https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/whatever-happened-to-the-2025-retentions-roadmap-22-04-2025/ https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/opinion/whatever-happened-to-the-2025-retentions-roadmap-22-04-2025/#respond Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:22:55 +0000 https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/?p=518922 Rudi Klein is a barrister. He was formerly chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group I have a question. Has anybody seen a diminution in the demands for retention monies? Feedback I receive from firms is a definite NO! There is a reason for…

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