Tom O’Brien, director, O’Brien Contractors, reflects on the construction commitments made in last week’s Autumn Budget and why these need to go further.
The construction industry has demonstrated it is “capable of massive change at pace” and is able to dump old practices quickly “without compromising safety or quality” amid Covid-19, says Dame Judith Hackitt.
The initial phases of Bay Field Hospital have been handed over to Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB), which will see 420 beds now available to support the NHS in its response to Covid-19.
In last night’s (10 May) announcement to the nation, prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged construction workers to return to sites as he revealed plans to alleviate lockdown.
The government has supported guidance for all companies involved in the construction supply chain on how to minimise potential disputes during Covid-19.
Demand for labour on construction sites across the UK decreased by 70% in April, as building firms ask tradespeople to cut their rates by 10-30%, according to Hudson Contract.
The incoming CIBSE president, Stuart MacPherson, has made an appeal for net carbon standards and an ambitious programme to refurbish existing buildings to drive recovery after Covid-19.
Subcontractors face mounting pressures as sites begin to reopen, posing a threat to financial viability, according to Jim Davis, managing director for construction finance at Bibby Financial Services.
UK construction output fell at the fastest rate ever in April, as suddenness of the drop 'knocks the wind' out of building work in the UK, according to the latest construction PMI.
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