AS SAFE AS HOUSES
The latest NHBC housebuilding figures provided positive news
44,729 new homes were registered in Q3 2022, which was 33% up on the corresponding quarter in 2021. In addition, 32,702 new homes were registered in the private sector, representing a 26% improvement in that class of build. 10 out of 12 regions experienced growth in registrations in Q3 2022 vs Q3 2021 with the 4,299 new homes registered in London in Q3 2022 amounting to a huge 277% rise on Q3 2021.
MINI MARVELS
UK construction equipment sales showing strong growth
Mini and midi excavator sales led the way in the October figures and were 9% ahead of the same month last year. Retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment overall were 11% above sales in the same month last year. As a result, sales in the first ten months of the year have almost caught up with last year’s levels, reaching 31,400 units, only 0.7% below the same 2021 time period.
BAND TOGETHER
CT1 partners with Band of Builders
The sealant and adhesive manufacturer has become a corporate partner of Band of Builders, supporting the charity in its quest to help tradespeople battling illness or injury, making a life-changing difference to them and their families. “Band of Builders embodies everything that’s amazing about the UK construction industry,” enthuses CT1’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Nicola Walsh.
PLAN OF ATTACK
Reform planning to deliver more homes, says FMB
“The Government needs to act to get small house builders unstuck from the complex
planning system,” argues Brian Berry, Chief Executive at the FMB. “Substantial planning
barriers stop the nation’s small house builders from delivering homes for their communities.
It’s clear that better engagement with SMEs from local planning authorities would help
deliver Government ambitions.”
ASBESTOS REMAINS A PROBLEM
More than 100,000 UK buildings still need asbestos remediation work
Extensive asbestos remediation work is still needed on more than 100,000 UK buildings, according to a new report from the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy (ATaC) Association and the National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants (NORAC). Industry experts are growing increasingly concerned about the impact of energy renovations on the asbestos issue, since the material still present in buildings could be released during renovation works planned to make homes more energy-efficient.
CLEARING THE AIR
HSE figures reveal the prevalence of occupational lung disease
The latest Health & Safety Executive (HSE) statistics reveal that 12,000 deaths were reported as a result of lung disease from past exposures at work. Annually, there are an estimated 19,000 new cases of lung or breathing problems believed to be caused or made worse by the working environment. Casella urges businesses to put measures in place to protect employees from hazardous exposure.
ON THE RIGHT ROAD
Van Ninja is reminding drivers of commercial vehicles of the rules
Did you know that there are rules to driving vans that, if disobeyed, could see you fined upwards of £2,500 in addition to points on your licence? On both single- and dual-carriageways your top speed is reduced by 10mph, for instance, which means that your top speeds on these roads will be 50mph and 60mph respectively. You can still drive at a top speed of 70mph on motorways, but if your van is also towing a trailer, your motorway top speed is also brought down to 60mph.
For more rules of the road for LCV operators from Van Ninja visit https://vanninja.co.uk/keeping-yourself-within-the-laws-of-van-driving/
READY TO REPORT
The Construction Leadership Council has endorsed “Greening the UK’s Skills”
The NOCN Group and BACH publication underlines that the transition to Net Zero will only be possible with a skilled ‘green’ workforce. “There is now an urgent need to develop training for Green Skills in the construction sector,” emphasises Mark Reynolds, Group Chairman and Chief Executive, Mace and Co-Chair, Construction Leadership Council, “especially at Levels 1- 3, to run throughout the FE training courses, as well as in Bootcamps and Apprenticeships.”
To download a copy of the Greening the UK’s Skills report visit GreeningUKskillsreport.pdf (nocn.org.uk)
THE TRAIN GANG
CITB is responding to a range of challenges
The annual report revealed that, in a 12-month period ending 31 March 2022, CITB invested almost £50m of Levy to support over 22,000 apprentices, directly trained over 2,900 new recruits through the second phase of the Construction Skills Fund, and supported over 16,000 learners with grants to complete their qualifications. Over the same period, direct funding was provided to over 1,600 businesses to invest in their workforce, while Grants Scheme helped fund over 269,000 training courses.
CALL FOR HELP
Chancellor urged to aid SMEs in the wake of help-to-buy ending
Housebuilders are calling on the government to support SMEs following the demise of help-to-buy. The National Federation of Builders, NFB, said it had been pushing the government to improve the scheme rather than scrap it. The organisations housing and planning head Rico Wojtulewicz commented: “We lobbied the government to reform it [help-to-buy] to support certain criteria such as higher energy efficient housing, on smaller plot sizes of houses.”
New Build Developer Loans | New Developer Mortgages | Hank Zarihs Associates
MATERIAL GAIN
The Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group reports
Product supply continues to improve, with the availability of building materials and products overall now at its best since pre-pandemic levels. The restricted supply of semi-conductors, however, continues to challenge manufacturers of electro-technical products and gas boilers. It is an improving picture for timber although birch plywood – currently a sanctioned good from Russia – is in short supply.
BACK OF THE NET!
Ambitious target announced for net zero homes
The Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) has called for an ambitious target for UK homes to achieve net zero. The trade body EUA wants to see 15 million UK homes made net zero ready by 2035 spearheaded by a hydrogen-ready boilers initiative, with all new gas boilers hydrogen-ready by 2026.
PUMP ACTION
OFGEM receives heat pump
The energy regulator, Ofgem, has been challenged by the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) to examine the real-world consequence of shifting homes from gas onto heat pumps. The CEO of, Mike Foster, has called for a village-sized trial of decarbonising homes using heat pumps. The trial will mirror that currently being considered for homes to be converted to hydrogen, another option being considered to decarbonise the UK.
HOME TRUTHS
Illegal home repairs – a fifth of brits would break the law
Over a fifth (21 per cent) of Brits admit they would complete home repairs themselves that are legally required to be carried out or checked by a registered tradesperson, reveals new data from Direct Line business insurance. Completing work that does not comply with Building Regulations is a criminal offence, could lead to a maximum fine of £5,000, and can cause serious injury and damage.
FORMING AN ALLIANCE
DHF is supporting the CSCS Alliance in raising industry standards
Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has voiced its support for the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) Alliance. The trade association launched its government-approved CSCS card partner scheme in collaboration with the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) at the end of 2019, with the card provision for those working with industrial doors, domestic garage doors, automated gates & traffic barriers and metal or timber doors.
INTO THE WOODS
English woodlands could provide new natural construction resource
Boosting the use of English hardwood forest products across the built environment, could improve the carbon footprint of the UK’s buildings, according to experts. Researchers from the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), and the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) will examine the suitability of certain species of English homegrown trees for their use in construction, looking at sawn, engineered, and mass timber products, including cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam).
English woodlands could provide new natural construction resource – BE-ST
SMALL WONDERS
A new programme is calling on smaller firms to lead the way for change
Innovation Driven Procurement (IDP) – a fully funded programme for SME and micro-business owners – has launched an initiative to create 40 Innovation Champions to solve problems within their business relating to productivity and inspire others to do the same. Limited places are now available online, where business owners can receive one-to-one coaching and mentoring.
To find out more about the IDP, visit www.theidp.co.uk
To become an Innovation Champion visit www.constructioncoach.co.uk/theidp
COLD COMFORT
Enter The Ice Challenge raises awareness of mental health
Leading waste management and recycling services provider Powerday, scaffold and access company PHD Access, Construction Sport and specialist media agency Superbeam have joined forces to take part in the first ever Enter The Ice Challenge, to raise awareness of mental wellbeing within the construction sector. The challenge involved members of staff from all four organisations submerging themselves in a skip filled with ice and freezing cold water for between five and seven minutes.
