Construction News

​​​​​​​Analysis of the latest HSE data shows that the construction sector ranks among the top ten worst sectors for workplace illnesses

Carpenters are the most likely to offer a cup of tea, van drivers warned to brush up on the Highway Code and school students get hands on bricklaying experience

​​​​​​​With activity declining across most construction sectors and signs that repair and maintenance work is also slowing, many firms are facing a tough start to 2026

UK police data show that 76,907 tool thefts were reported between January 2021 and December 2025

Over 9,500 vans, worth £77m were stolen in 2025, JTL sets up Female Apprentice Network and Band of Builders needs volunteer tradespeople for its next five projects

​​​​​​​The charity has released its schedule for the next six months to enlist the help of tradespeople

​​​​​​​Almost 2.8 million working-age adults remain economically inactive due to long-term sickness

Police raid training centre in CSCS card crackdown, white collar workers switch to the trades and pensioner £60,000 better off after builders find stash of ancient coins

​​​​​​​Plumbers rank as the most hygienic trade with a 40% rating, based on daily showers, washing up, and uniform cleanliness

HBF warns that small builders can't afford apprentices, NFRC throws support behind Small Business Strategy and young bricklayer plots return after US experience

​​​​​​​The Government has recently restated the previous government's commitment to reduce the timeframe to 30 months

​​​​​​​Van drivers are being advised to follow practical steps to protect themselves behind the wheel after it's revealed that 78% of them experience negative behaviour from other road users

​​​​​​​This year’s final will take place over two days, from Friday 31 July to Saturday 1 August 2026, at the Hertfordshire County Showground in Redbourn

Construction apprenticeships grow by 1.2% in 2024/25, van drivers are regularly abused by other road users and construction material prices double over the last 20 years

CITB, NCC, Bridgend College and NFRC are collaborating on the delivery of the new apprenticeship to help meet gaps in training provision and address the construction skills gap

Painter and decorator to the royals takes his own life, construction output grows by 1.8% in 2025, and heat pumps sales increase last year, but growth rate slows

The partnership aims to encourage open conversations around mental health and suicide prevention and build a safer workplace

​​​​​​​Upcoming plans include a Skills Summit convening policymakers and leaders to address skills and workforce challenges

Screwfix is funding apprenticeships across trades, including plumbing, electrical work, landscaping, painting, and decorating

62% of construction workers think they're too old to retrain, government introduces regulations on securing van loads, and apprentice heads to Africa

Contractors on £20bn School Rebuilding Programme will have to create apprentice opportunities, firms feel let down by CITB says Exeter MP and apprentice returns to work after serious car accident

​​​​​​​Fewer than one in five learners enrolled in government-funded, classroom-based electrical courses advanced into an apprenticeship or skilled employment over 2025/26

​​​​​​​The scheme makes the MCS journey for installers straightforward by handling design, compliance, and paperwork

Electrical apprenticeship starts drop by 5.5%, nearly 40,000 complaints made to Citizens Advice and West Midlands Police wants to reunite tradespeople with their stolen tools

​​​​​​​The first phase of this long-running campaign launches at the start of National Apprenticeship Week and will run for two weeks

​​​​​​​The highest number of complaints was made about roofing, roof sealing and chimney repairs, standing at 7,854

Former tradesman awarded £720,000 from Lambeth Council, 78% of plumbers think apprentices are vital and apprentice painter aims to run Manchester Marathon for charity

​​​​​​​Research shows that a career in the skilled trades could offer opportunities to work overseas

​​​​​​​Private-sector registrations were up 12% to 75,227, compared with 67,265 in 2024

Construction output improves in January (but industry is still in decline), half of plumbers report falling profit margins, and FMB and CITB partner for apprenticeship scheme

From 6 April 2026, those eligible will need to use recognised software to keep digital records

Home Fix Scotland aims to transition 20–25% of its van fleet to hybrid or fully electric models within five years

Winner of Screwfix Top Tradesperson award quits the UK, Begbies Trayner report 46% rise in construction businesses experiencing critical financial distress and electricians top list of best paying trades

​​​​​​​Following a two-week fundraising initiative across Leyland’s London network of decorating stores, £18,430 was donated to homeless charity, St Mungo’s

​​​​​​​This growing concern, up 5% on last year, is set against the backdrop of ambitious government building targets

Tradespeople expect skills crisis will increase costs, electrician protests parking ticket and Josh Padley secures European super featherweight title

This year’s winner will receive a trade bundle worth £10,000, including £5,000 of tools, a £3,000 training budget, and £2,000 worth of technology

​​​​​​​Order books are fairly busy, but financial anxiety and mental health pressures are rising among UK tradespeople

Rising house prices put the financial squeeze on tradespeople, Screwfix launches Trade Apprentice competition and police investigate a 'body' in the back of a scaffolder's truck

​​​​​​​Demand for skilled electricians is high and apprenticeships remain one of the most effective ways to develop talent