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JCB reopens factory doors with safety measures in place

JCB announced it will re-start production at four of its UK factories as safety measures are rolled out to protect employees in the wake of Covid-19.

Furlough scheme extended until October

The furlough scheme has been extended for a further four months until October, as workers will continue to receive 80% of their current salary.

Housebuilders allowed flexible working hours

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has published new guidance which allows housebuilders to agree more flexible construction site working hours with their local council.

Common data environment to assist Australia bushfire recovery

Laing O’Rourke is to use Asite’s common data environment (CDE) to help lead the clean-up operation following the bushfires that devastated much of New South Wales, Australia.

New images reveal £1bn regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames

Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited (PCRL) has released new images of how the £1bn regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames will transform the town centre and riverfront.

Connectors and fasteners for CLT construction

Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors, fasteners and building solutions, has launched a comprehensive offering of regulated and quality tested connectors and fasteners.

Construction and weather: Are we asking the right questions?

Are we asking the right weather-related questions - and can we trust the answers? Shaun Pammenter MSc, meteorologist at MetSwift, takes a look.

Construction sector one of lowest in UK to reap R&D benefits

New statistics from HMRC have revealed that construction companies claimed £90m in research and development (R&D) tax credit relief, but were still one of the lowest sectors in the UK reaping benefits.

How will coronavirus impact health & safety in construction?

Damon Culbert from SMAS Worksafe explores how health and safety on construction sites is being managed and will be managed in the future amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Homes for Heroes: Eco-friendly modular homes for key workers

A new campaign, ‘Homes for Heroes’ has been launched echoing the 'Homes fit for Heroes' and wants to create 100,000 affordable homes manufactured in British factories.

Lifeline for engineering apprentices during Covid-19 crisis

Engineering apprentices have been thrown a lifeline, as new protocols for carrying out vital End-Point Assessments remotely allow apprentices to achieve required benchmarks during Covid-19.

One in four construction workers contemplate suicide, reveals report

26% of construction industry professionals thought about taking their own lives in 2019, as job insecurity, long hours, time away from families, lack of support from HR and late payments all contributed to the ‘silent crisis’.

Laing O’Rourke appoints Rowan Baker as new CFO

Laing O’Rourke has announced the appointment of Rowan Baker as its new chief financial officer (CFO).

Stainless steel road bridge lifted into place in Cumbria

The UK’s ‘first’ stainless steel road bridge, crossing the River Eamont at Pooley Bridge in Cumbria, has been lifted into place.

Government releases ‘Covid-19 secure’ guidelines for construction

The government has published ‘Covid-19 secure’ guidelines for construction businesses to operate safely as businesses get back up and running.

BRE launches version 6 of BREEAM In-Use

BRE has launched version 6 of BREEAM In-Use with added emphasis on resilience to climate change, social value and circular economy principles.

How artificial intelligence is improving the efficiency of BIM

We look at the different ways that AI is starting to improve BIM systems and how this will change the way construction works in the future.

Hackitt praises construction industry response to Covid-19 crisis

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.

Actis to host performance gap CPD training on Zoom

Actis is to start running its two CPD modules next month in a Zoom webinar format, the training sessions are free and both certified by the Construction CPD Certification Service.

Energy conundrum: Securing futures through the building envelope

As the pressure mounts on the construction industry to achieve zero-carbon buildings, Vincent Matthews, head of UK marketing at SFS, explores how the building envelope can help to reduce energy usage and enhance a building’s lifespan.

Kier completes first phase of Bay Field Hospital

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.

Cheltenham seeks partner for £400m Golden Valley development

Cheltenham Borough Council has launched the search for a development partner to deliver a £400m world-class Golden Valley development in Cheltenham.

Scottish government supports SME housebuilders through pandemic

Housebuilders will be able to apply for short-term loans of up to £1m from the Scottish Government to support them through the coronavirus outbreak.

Tender launched for £500m Professional Services Framework

Procure Partnerships has launched a tender for its £500m Professional Services Framework which will run for four years.

Weston Homes reopens construction sites across London

Weston Homes has confirmed that as of today (11 May) it will reopen all of its construction sites across London and the home counties.

Boris ‘actively encourages’ construction sites to resume

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.