Data from the Construction Products Association indicates that industry output will drop by 6.4% in 2023.

The stalled private new build housing sector and delays in government infrastructure projects prompted the trade body to downgrade its market forecast.

Private ‘new build ‘housing and the private repair and maintenance works accounts for around 40% of total construction output and is expected to be the sector most impacted by falling household incomes and higher interest rates.

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The Ladder Association is calling for urgent government action to regulate the sale of unsafe and potentially dangerous ladders online.

The trade body claims that 80% of commercially available telescopic ladders failed to meet minimum safety standards. And that over half were marked as compliant to misled customers.

Peter Bennett, executive director with the Ladder Association warned: “Our latest report clearly shows that the issue of unsafe ladders available for sale in the UK is [not] improving.”

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And finally, a builder who won over a million on the National Lottery is longing for his life ‘on the tools’.

Steve Thomson, who won £105 million in 2019, gave up his windows and conservatory business after his huge windfall.

But his friends told The Sun this week that Steve “misses the job and all that comes with it”, including the onsite banter and his friends.

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