‘Good but not enough’ – first reactions to Autumn Statement
The new chancellor’s Autumn Statement has received a cautious welcome by industry bodies with the early consensus summed up as ‘a step in the right direction’ but more is needed.
Construction Products Association Economics Director...
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...
Housebuilding declining, commercial growing, supply issues normalising – S&P
Mixed fortunes are highlighted in the latest S&P Global construction survey, with house building in deep decline while commercial grows, against a background that sees earlier serious supply problems continuing to normalise.
Improving supply issues,...
Construction back to pre-lockdown levels – Barbour
Construction activity returned to pre-lockdown levels last month, with contract awards increasing by 58% over March to £9.1billion – a level of activity last seen in January 2020, according to the latest edition of...
Industry backs relaxation of anti-pollution building laws
Controversial plans to boost homebuilding by relaxing ‘defective EU laws’ on water pollution have been broadly welcomed by the industry despite the widespread outcry by environmental groups.
Housing secretary Michael Gove says the legacy laws...
House building down, commercial up but sourcing eases further – S&P
House building saw its fastest decline in almost three years last month while commercial building saw some increase, though more slowly than its February peak, according to the latest survey of purchasing managers.
However, the...
Business optimism sinks as new orders stall – CIPS PMI
UK construction companies reported a modest increase in business activity last month, but subdued demand was signalled by the weakest trend for new orders since the recovery began in June 2020, according to the...
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...
Price and supply woes still biting but is the worst over? – Markit
UK construction companies continued to report widespread supply constraints and rapidly increasing purchase prices but the latest report from IHS Markit, CIPS forecasts that “the worst phase of the supply crunch may have passed.”
Reports...
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...
