Category: Government
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Energy efficiency scheme failures slammed in damning NAO report
In addition to these issues, in November 2024, Ofgem estimated that businesses had falsified claims for ECO installations in approximately 5,600 to 16,500 homes, potentially claiming between £56 million and £165 million from the energy suppliers operating under the scheme. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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SME homebuilders are in ‘real danger’, HBF says
Unpredictable delays, rising costs and new levies could push SME home developers out of the market, according to a new report. The report, Planning for Small Sites, has been published by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Quantum Development Finance, using analysis from planning and development consultancy Lichfields. According to the findings, SME homebuilders are facing…
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Thousands of new homes approved after four-year delay
A landmark agreement between government, regulators and industry has resolved a four-year pause on housing developments in West Sussex. The delivery of 21,000 new homes had been delayed due to concerns about the protection of local wetlands and wildlife. Building work had been halted since 2021 due to concerns over the amount of water being…
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Gateway 2 ‘roadblock’ risks 1.5m homes pledge, warns CPA
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has warned that the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes is at risk unless it fixes severe delays at Gateway 2, the approval system for higher-risk buildings. Gateway 2, introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022, requires developers to secure approval from the Building Safety Regulator before work…
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Scrapping 50% university target is ‘real step forward’ for construction
Builders’ merchant Travis Pekins has welcomed the government’s decision to transform further and higher education. This week, the prime minister announced a package of reforms to the education skills system, which includes ditching Labour’s previous target of encouraging 50% of young people to go to university. Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Kier Starmer…
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Crackdown on illegal working in construction
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More than twice the number of employers have been banned from sponsoring foreign workers in the first year of this government compared with the year before, according to new figures. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 1,948 licences allowing companies to bring in migrant workers were revoked – more than double the number in the…
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Councils rebel against Labour’s planning reforms
Councils across England are mounting a united challenge to the Government’s proposed planning reforms, warning they will strip away local decision-making powers and damage trust in the system. Leaders from urban and rural authorities say the changes – including a two-tier system and tougher housing targets – are unnecessary, unrealistic, and harmful. The growing backlash…
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Apprenticeships in Wales need better promotion, report says
Schools, colleges, employers and the Welsh Government must work together to present apprenticeships as a strong start to a career, the Senedd’s economy committee has concluded. Andrew RT Davies, chair of the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, said: “For many people, apprenticeships can be an excellent choice. They combine learning, earning, working and…
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Industry welcomes £100m ‘technical excellence colleges’
More than 40,000 future construction workers will be trained by 2029 at new ‘technical excellence colleges’ unveiled today (12 August). The specialist colleges will be in every region of England to train the workforce needed to support economic growth and deliver the government’s 1.5m new homes target. The 10 new colleges are Derby College Group,…
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Industry welcomes £100m ‘technical excellence colleges’
More than 40,000 future construction workers will be trained by 2029 at new ‘technical excellence colleges’ unveiled today (12 August). The specialist colleges will be in every region of England to train the workforce needed to support economic growth and deliver the government’s 1.5m new homes target. The 10 new colleges are Derby College Group,…