News

The British Board of Agrément (BBA), the UK’s building product certification organisation, and Barbour Product Search, the online product directory for building product manufacturers, are uniting to assist companies wishing to develop sustainable, innovative product development practices.

In September 2020, the government launched the Green Homes Grant scheme. Homeowners and landlords can apply for vouchers to contribute to the cost of energy-saving home improvements – up to £5,000 for most homeowners, or £10,000 for low-income households.

The recovery in construction activity that was reported in Construction PMI data can be accelerated if the Government takes decisive action in its March Budget, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

While the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis on employment and the economy still await to be seen, Hire Association Europe (HAE) and Event Hire Association (EHA) has been embarking on a vigorous series of initiatives aimed at attracting people from all age groups, skill sets and backgrounds to boost the workforce in the tool, plant and equipment hire sector.

In January 2021, the Grenfell inquiry was suspended because of rising Covid-19 infections in London.

The beginning of the year might not have been the fresh start we hoped for. The UK is in the midst of its third lockdown and we are already onto our second Construction Minister of the year.

UK warranty and insurance provider for new homes NHBC has launched the 2021 edition of its technical Standards. Effective for every new home covered by an NHBC warranty where foundations are begun on or after 1 January 2021.

World Green Building Council highlights innovation in the sustainable building sector with Building A Better Future series of documentary-style films.

Thinking about becoming a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)? Then make sure you catch the Society for the Environment’s (SocEnv) recent webinar recordings. They provide the latest information, advice and insight into the positive impacts of registration, the skills required and the application process.

All homes and businesses in England will have to meet rigorous new energy efficiency standards to lower energy consumption and bills, to help to protect the environment, the Housing Minister Chris Pincher has announced.

The Government has committed to establish a national regulator for construction products as part of wider reforms to address the systemic failings identified by the Hackitt Review.

A London South Bank University (LSBU) student won a prestigious Construction Services Apprentice of the Year award at the BAME Apprenticeships Awards 2020, while a second, female engineering LSBU apprentice was highly commended.

The boardrooms of the country’s top businesses have long been male-dominated spaces, with the government recommending in 2015 that the boards of all FTSE 350 companies should be 33% by 2020.

The 2020 show saw a record 1,600 graduation projects submitted by students in 270 universities – a 30% increase on the previous year – and 100 shortlisted. Of those, funding to take the solutions to market was announced on two innovations. One of these is a reflective thermochromic paint from SpectrumLab that changes its colour based on temperature.

The latter months of 2020 saw many sensational headlines in the media around the ongoing investigation into the Grenfell disaster. It is important to focus on the facts rather than the headlines, and video coverage of the evidence can be viewed here: grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/

The Project Management Institute’s survey data, compiled by HIS Markit, showed a rebound in UK construction activity during December. The sector’s recovery has been boosted by a return to projects that had been delayed at the start of the pandemic, primarily house building (which saw a sharp rise during December) alongside new business wins and improving client demand.

ONS data shows research and development spending in the UK construction industry jumped 11.5% annually to a new record high says Catax. Total construction sector spending on R&D rose to £417m in 2019, an increase of £43m from the £374m recorded a year earlier.

Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change, the UK’s independent statutory adviser, said the cost of moving to a low-carbon economy had come down significantly.

We’re calling on members to show the realities of their day-to-day roles by sending us pictures of their work.

“A home is somewhere you should feel safe,” begins the cabinet statement on building safety funding in Wales by Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government. It continues to state that many living in high-rise properties are concerned about potential building defects, which pose fire and broader health and safety risks.