UK CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES indicated a strong improvement in business activity optimism in January 2024, with expectations reaching their highest level for two years. The findings were despite an ongoing decline in current output levels and a marginal fall in incoming new work. Survey respondents often cited hopes of a turnaround in client demand due to
THE NATIONAL Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) is calling on employers in the builder’s merchant sector to take advantage of government funding to re-skill staff and onboard new recruits through apprenticeships as it marks this year’s National Apprenticeship Week. The Government provides up to 95% of funding for employers to hire someone new or upskill an existing
THE WIDESPREAD availability of substandard and even dangerous PPE items is being highlighted by a safety organisation. Warning those overseeing personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety product procurement, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has disclosed their latest test results on non-member products. Between December 2022 and December 2023, the BSIF examined 123 non-member products.
THE GOVERNMENT has recently announced the steps it will take to refresh the Help to Grow campaign, which it says will reassert its ongoing commitment to make the UK the best place to start and grow a small business. This package includes the introduction of a new ‘Small Business Council’ to be launched as early
NHBC, provider of new home warranties and insurance, has appointed Hazel Adamek as Regional Director to lead customer relations with house builders in the East of England. Hazel, who has worked at NHBC for 18 years, has extensive technical knowledge and customer relationship management expertise. Her previous roles have been in Claims, Inspection, Training and the
THE ROOF RESTORATION has started as part of a Manchester museum’s multi-million heritage conservation project. It sees it renew a roof the size of two Olympic pools. Work has begun on the Grade I listed 140-year-old New Warehouse building at the Science and Industry Museum’s site in Manchester city centre. The New Warehouse was formerly
A TIMBER DISTRIBUTOR is investing in the growth of its businesses in the Republic and Northern Ireland through the alignment of its businesses. James Latham is bringing its entire Irish distribution network under its name. The move will see Abbey Woods and IJK Timber Ltd aligned with the parent company. They will also align with
THE ROYAL INSTITUTE of British Architects (RIBA) has published its Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work. This free resource aims to support anyone involved in the design of newbuild, retrofit or refurbishment projects to implement smart building technology. It was developed with ScanTech Digital, Glider Technology, Kier and Hoare Lea. Smart Building
LEADERS in the construction industry from 11 organisations are demanding policy action from politicians ahead of the election due this year. The construction leaders have joined forces to send a message to UK political party leaders about the urgent need for regulation of embodied carbon emissions in construction. They say that regulation is needed as buildings
BUILDERS’ merchants sales by value were down -5.7% in November 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, with sales by volume falling -12.1% and prices increasing +7.2%. The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows that compared to November 2022, 6 of the 12 categories sold more in November 2023 compared to the previous
