Tag: Government
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Construction coalition slams proposed apprenticeship reforms
The letter refers to plans to “shorten the minimum duration of an apprenticeship to just eight months”, as well as plans to mandate “a new end point assessment (EPA) that favours a shorter, high-level assessment plan over the current final, impartial stage of an apprenticeship”. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Watchdog finds major failures in Government insulation scheme
A damning new report has found that nearly all homes fitted with external wall insulation under government energy schemes could now be at risk of damp and mould. The National Audit Office (NAO) uncovered widespread failures in workmanship and compliance across the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). The government…
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Government must learn from HS2 ‘disaster’, PAC chair warns
Former Transport for London commissioner Mike Brown has been appointed as HS2 Ltd chair and will work alongside chief executive Mark Wild to deliver a programme reset, including reviewing the costs and schedule, renegotiating HS2’s large construction contracts and reviewing HS2 Ltd’s skills and structure. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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UK planning bill changes aim to unshackle ‘stubborn’ system
The government has proposed a series of new measures it hopes will turbocharge planning and infrastructure delivery across Britain. The amendments to the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill could become law later this year if ministers vote them through. If passed, the bill will give ministers new powers to issue ‘holding directions’ to stop councils…
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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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Government shutdown threatens to stall federal construction projects
Listen to the article 5 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Contractors across the country are measuring the potential impact of a government shutdown. A meeting Monday between President Donald Trump and congressional leaders didn’t result in an agreement between the parties. The federal government will shut down…