Reeves pledges return to homes targets with planning rules overhaul
New chancellor Rachel Reeves used her first days in office to commit the incoming government to reform the National Planning Policy Framework and bring back mandatory housing targets.
She also pledged a new taskforce to...
FMB backs Labour’s homes plan
The Federation of Master Builders has come out in support of Labour’s proposed planning reforms, saying they ‘offer the best hope to build the homes we need.’
Chief Executive Brian Berry said: “The Labour Party...
Construction shows fastest growth for two years – S&P
Growth in the UK construction sector gained momentum during May, with activity and new business increasing at sharper rates than in April, with the result that overall activity rose at the fastest pace for...
CPA sees recession ahead before growth in ‘25
Construction is expected to fall into recession this year with a 2.2% drop in output before turning to of 2.1% growth in 2025 and further growth of 3.6% in ’26, according to the spring...
‘Grey Belt’ plans welcomed to unlock small sites
Labour Party proposals to introduce five ‘golden rules’ for ‘Grey Belt’ development have been welcomed by the FMB as an important initiative to unlock small sites more homes.
Chief Executive Brian Berry said: “The UK...
Slight upturn ends six-month construction decline
UK construction companies indicated a renewed increase in total industry activity during March, thereby ending a six-month period of decline, according to the latest S&P Global report.
House building and commercial construction activity were both...
Stricter payment rules for public contracts take effect
New prompt payment rules that could see slow-paying contractors facing a ban on bidding for public work have now come into force.
Companies bidding for large contracts must now show they can pay all invoices...
New business adds to growing optimism in construction
UK construction shoed marginal growth last month but the rate of new business growth was the fastest since May 2023 and business optimism improved to reach the highest in over two years, according to...
‘Look beyond cities’ FMB tells Gove
Plans revealed today by housing secretary Michael Gove to release more brownfield sites for housebuilding have gained cautious industry approval but the Federation of Master Builders says they must look beyond just the cities.
The...
Growth forecast soon but not just yet – CPA
Construction output is forecast to fall by 2.1% this year but will turn around to rise by 2.0% in next year, according to the Winter Forecast published this week by the Construction Products Association.
“Private...
