News analysis features
Legal challenges to HS2: Destination High Court
High Speed 2 holds out the prospect of a much-needed boost to UK construction. But the legal challenges the project faces means it could hit the buffers before it’s even left the platform. Allister Hayman reports
Resuscitating construction: Alternative medicine
Last week Building looked at the government’s failure to resuscitate construction. This week, Joey Gardiner looks at where treatment is most urgently needed for construction to make a swift recovery
The UK economy: Kill or cure
Recent figures show the UK economy is back in recession - and it’s the construction sector that put it there. In the first of a two-part look at the handling of the economic situation Joey Gardiner examines why the government’s course of treatment is failing to deliver a recovery
Contractors' pay: The 30 days war
Eighteen months after the government introduced its Prompt Payment Code, Building’s Specialists White Paper has revealed that 83% of contractors are still waiting more than 30 days to be paid. Vern Pitt reports on one of the industry’s longest-running battles
Whatever happened to RMJM?
Disastrous cash flow, unpaid staff, an exodus of talent and now under investigation by the Pensions Regulator, even RMJM’s chief executive is appalled by the scars the last few years have left. Will Hurst looks at what went wrong
Olympic marketing debate: 'It's not as if it's a secret project'
Strict marketing rules have so far prevented many of the firms involved in the London Olympics from talking about their own work, but there are signs that pressure from Building and the industry is forcing the authorities to rethink. Will Hurst reports
Energy-efficient buildings – too clever by half?
A survey for Building’s Sustainability White Paper suggests that occupants find new buildings only marginally more efficient than older ones. Are their elaborate energy-slashing systems just too complicated to operate?
Working in Asia: Rush to the East
Suddenly Asia is the place to be - witness Arcadis’ dramatic expansion into the area with its purchase of Davis Langdon & Seah last week. But with so many players moving into the market, what can they do to ensure they survive? Iain Withers reports
New asbestos regulations: The risks
From tomorrow stricter regulations will govern even low-risk asbestos work, triggering new obligations for contractors and property owners. Building reports on the risks for the industry if it doesn’t follow the legislation to the letter
Will Hinkley Point C survive planners and protests?
Hinkley Point C will be the first nuclear power plant to be built in decades and of course construction firms are keen to be part of the £10bn project. But wait: EDF still has to make a final investment decision, the plant hasn’t even got planning permission yet, and then there’s the little matter of nuclear protesters and what they might tie themselves to. Vern Pitt reports
University Technical Colleges: Dumbing down
Until January of this year, University Technical Colleges were fast gaining favour as a way of attracting new talent into our industry. Then, out of the blue, education secretary Michael Gove downgraded vocational qualifications, putting the feasibility of the programme in question. Building asks whether the government is making a dunce of construction
Exclusive: Middle East firm buys UK's historic Currie & Brown
The 136-year-old consultant Currie & Brown has been sold to Middle East-based Dar Group
Clegg pledges ‘financial guarantees’ for major projects
Government to boost investment by using its Triple-A credit rating to guarantee investment in major projects
Cladding sheet finish
Kalzip has launched Dark Falzinc, a slate grey finish to its Kalzip range of foldable aluminium roof and wall cladding sheets
Mace and EC Harris bag £72m Qatar deal
Joint venture will project manage infrastructure improvements over five years
'Timber first' plan will cost jobs, industry says
Critics say Hackney council’s move to favour timber construction could hit ‘indigenous trades’
Four firms bag £1.2bn affordable housing contract
Kier, Morrison, Apollo and United House land repairs and maintenance role with Circle
