News

Funding announced for training 60,000 skilled construction workers

​​​​​​​Chancellor Rachel Reeves has budgeted for £600 million worth of investment to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers to support the delivery of 1.5 million new houses

Building safety levy pushed back a year

​​​​​​​The government has decided to delay the introduction of its building safety levy from autumn 2025 until autumn 2026

Football legends lend their voices to mental health initiative

​​​​​​​An England football legend, backed by local sports stars, is spearheading a new charity encouraging construction workers to talk about mental health

Despite revenue decline in 2024, professionals anticipate growth in 2025

Nearly nine in 10 firms across the industry (87%) plan to prioritise investments in key areas to address ongoing challenges and enhance operational performance, according to a report by Houzz

AUDIO NEWS: Builders struggle to secure planning permission and prices expected to jump by 8%

Builders are struggling to secure planning permission for smaller developments, prices set to rise by up to 8% and government invests £200 million in solar projects

Construction sector sees increased pine supplies as timber mix evolves

Timber Development UK has issued a trade note on the subject, reassuring members that this does not indicate a shortage of timber available to the UK

Construction contract awards remain buoyant, residential struggles

Following a strong start to the year, the value of new orders in construction eased slightly in February to £7.6 billion – 10% down on January, Barbour ABI’s monthly industry Snapshot reveals

AUDIO NEWS: Government promises £600 million for training and renewable installations climb in February

Government promises £600 million to create 60,,000 trade jobs, small renewable projects increase at start of the year and Keepmoat creates bricklaying school at HMP Moorland

European construction continues to choke on harmful emissions, survey finds

​​​​​​​The findings indicate that the majority of workers are exposed to petrol emissions for most of their workweek, with many expressing concerns about the potential long-term health effects

AUDIO NEWS: Skills shortage remains biggest obstacle to growth and landscaper finds WWII bomb

Shortage of skilled electricians is biggest obstacle to growth say ECA, plumbers family launch appeal after tool theft and landscaper digs up World War II bomb

ITS expands Harlow store into a creative ‘Shop-in-Shop’ experience

​​​​​​​The new store offers a retail experience where customers can see, touch, and feel more than 6,000 products before making a purchase

Are the concerns about counterfeit battens real or clickbait?

​​​​​​​Steve Wells from JJ Roofing Supplies joins Danny Madden on The Roofing Show to address the issue of counterfeit battens and give a supply chain perspective

AUDIO NEWS: Two thirds of tradespeople hit by cyber criminals and builder finds skeleton in garden

One in ten tradespeople say they've lost customer information in a cyber attack, trade body for those working in brick, block and stone launches and builder makes grim discovery in backyard

Plumber appeal after £5k of tools stolen from van

​​​​​​​Daniel Cain is raising money to help cover the costs after his uncle's van was broken into at the Cheltenham Festival

AUDIO NEWS: £200 million of vans stolen in the UK last year and youngsters get on site

Over 11,200 vans, worth £200 million were stolen in the UK last year, report warns of mass insolvencies ahead and youngsters visit building sites

Over 30 vans stolen every day

​​​​​​​Among stolen vans, the Ford Transit was the most targeted model, with nearly 6,000 stolen last year

Economic certainty needed to bolster builders, says FMB

​​​​​​​Local builders comprise the vast majority of the building industry, and they require a stable economic climate to thrive

Schneider Electric to double veteran talent intake to tackle UK skills gap

Veterans Talent Programme recognises value of veterans’ transferrable skills, and retrains ex-military personnel for management and operational roles

AUDIO NEWS: FMB calls for more economic certainty and builder wins £60,000 car with 4pm raffle ticket

Federation of Master Builders looks for silver lining in latest construction output figures, Schneider Electric doubles intake of military veterans and builder wins £60k motor with 4p ticket

AUDIO NEWS: Road workers regularly abused and construction output continues to fall

25% of road workers report regular abuse from the public, construction output falls again in January and a painter embraces an eco-friendly approach to the job