The consultant’s latest tender forecast indicates that new orders numbers are stabilising, market sentiment is on the up and contractor performance is improving.

Arcadis credited recent government measures that have unlocked funding for major housing, health, education and prisons projects, for boosting contractor confidence.

But with builders still concerned about larger tax burdens and high interest rates, the rate of recovery is likely to be uneven across the industry.

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Cheaper electricity prices are needed to drive the adoption of heat pumps, claims The Climate Change Committee (CCC).

In a report published last week, the government’s environmental watchdog warned that the ratio of electricity to gas prices remains “significantly off track”, and that greater financial incentives are needed to accelerate heat pump uptake.

Despite strong growth in heat pump installs last year, they are not yet at a point where they’re having a measurable impact on emissions, stated the report.

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Screwfix has launched its annual Top Tradesperson competition. The eventual winner, who will be crowned at Screwfix Live in September will pick up a £20,000 prize bundle made up of tech, tools and training.

Last year’s winner, London-based plumber Mohammed Rahman claims his business has gone from strength-to-strength on the back of the publicity he’s enjoyed since winning.

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