Government action needed to protect construction industry, urges NFB
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) is calling on the government to better protect construction by including companies and housebuilders in the business rates relief exemption and extending planning permissions by a year.
Can the circular economy make construction more sustainable?
What is the circular economy and how can it help construction? Sander van de Rijdt of PlanRadar examines the case for improving the industry’s sustainability – and the role BIM has to play.
Graham ‘forced’ to furlough staff during the COVID-19 pandemic
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to disrupt the construction industry, Graham, the privately-owned company, has furloughed a significant amount of their staff.
MJ Gleeson furloughs 76% of its workforce
Urban regeneration specialist, MJ Gleeson has furloughed 76% of its workforce in a bid to lessen the financial impact of coronavirus.
HSE warns against construction sites failing to implement social distancing
In a joint statement with the TUC and the CBI, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has said it could shut construction sites down that are failing to implement social distancing rules.
Don’t forget about mental health during lockdown, urges BESA
Employers should prepare for a surge in mental health problems due to the COVID-19 lockdown, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
Contractors begin work on temporary NHS Louisa Jordan hospital
Balfour Beatty, Kier, Graham and Robertson have begun work renovating Glasgow’s Scottish Events Campus into a new temporary 300-bed hospital to treat patients with coronavirus.
Yotta wins asset management contract across Warwickshire
Yotta has been appointed to a major multi-year contract to deliver strategic asset management across its 2,500-mile-long highways network by Warwickshire County Council.
How can construction tackle the overheating challenge?
Chris Stanley, housing manager at the Concrete Block Association (CBA), explores the need to improve resilience to overheating, from the building materials used to the way our structures are designed.
Global construction industry forecast lowered due to COVID-19
Following the coronavirus outbreak, the construction industry forecast for growth in 2020 has now been revised down to 0.5% (from 3.1% previously).
FMB urges chancellor to cover dividend payments in support packages
The Federation of Master Builders has called on the chancellor to provide greater support for those running small businesses who fall between the gap in schemes to support employees and the self-employed.
Construction Industry Task Force to coordinate COVID-19 response
A Construction Industry Task Force has been assembled to coordinate industry response to COVID-19 and facilitate communication between the sector and Government.
Tarmac donates PPE to the NHS in time of need
Tarmac has launched an employee-led campaign to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals and NHS and social care all over the country.
Great Portland Estates pledges to pay suppliers on time
In its COVID-19 trading update, Great Portland Estates has revealed it is continuing regular payments to suppliers and has suspended activity on two of its three development sites.
Interserve wins contract to build new academy in Middlesbrough
Interserve has been selected by the Department of Education (DfE) to design and build the new Mo Mowlam Academy, through the DfE construction framework.
New 10-year geospatial agreement to bolster UK location data
The UK government has announced a 10-year ‘Public Sector Geospatial Agreement’, delivered by Ordnance Survey, to increase location data available to the public sector.
BESA pauses apprentice end point assessments due to COVID-19
The BESA has announced that it is suspending the delivery of End Point Assessments for apprentices during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Construction underway on temporary NHS Scotland hospital
Construction work has begun on the temporary NHS Scotland hospital in the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) to help care for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.
Wates takes steps to furlough a quarter of its workforce
Wates has announced it will furlough around a quarter of its workforce next week in hopes to protect both the business and the jobs.
Sprinkler systems mandatory in new high-rise blocks
Mandatory sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in all new high-rise blocks of flats over 11 metres tall are among the new measures to further reform the building safety system.
CITB to furlough a number of staff to ‘protect construction money’
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is preparing to furlough a number of its staff to ‘protect construction industry money’ in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus and the time for completion of construction contracts
The UK remains in the grip of a virus that has brought the majority of construction projects to a standstill, but what does this mean for contracts? Peter Vinden, chief executive of Gateley Vinden, answers your questions.
Network Rail announces immediate payments for suppliers
Network Rail is giving thousands of British firms a vital boost to their cashflow during the COVID-19 pandemic, by announcing immediate payments for its suppliers.
Essex construction firm donates 1,000 masks to the NHS
Wickford-based construction company, Lemon Groundwork Solutions, has donated 100 boxes, containing 1,000 FFP3 protective masks to Basildon Hospital.
Humanising the workplace post-coronavirus
Bruce Kennedy of architect BDP asks if time spent away from the office for many because of necessity will lead to a reassessment of the workplace once the coronavirus crisis is over.
BCIA appoints new vice president
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has announced Graeme Rees as its new vice president.