Is a withdrawal of credit insurance cover construction’s ‘canary in the coalmine’?
The withdrawal of trade credit cover has historically preceded high-profile corporate collapses - and now construction’s SME supply chains are at risk, warns Julie Palmer of BTG
Construction’s talent pipeline has been hiding in schools for years
The skills debate is back. But Class Of Your Own founder Alison Watson argues that construction already has a proven education pipeline – and that industry categorisation and schools policy have combined to keep it invisible
Why your QS is right to reject your portfolio strategy
In public sector construction all the talk is about portfolios but the delivery is all focused around projects. Jamie Hillier argues the answer is a business case your project QS can trust
Three lessons for delivering complex station upgrades
Station redevelopments are multi-layered and complex, but if done right they can expand capacity and ensure future-proofing of our transport hubs, writes Adam Parkes
Why localised skills strategies are construction’s next competitive advantage
New CITB research shows a third of construction workers travelled no more than 20 miles for work in the past year. CITB’s Lee Bryer says that as workforce mobility declines, the industry must shift towards place-based skills strategies to meet regional demand
This month’s construction industry gossip: Plymouth Hoe, Hoe, Hoe
The latest chatter around the industry
Why construction must get ahead of Burnham’s skills plan
How can Andy Burnham’s push to put technical education on an equal footing with academic routes avoid being yet another failed attempt to fix the skills system?
Hard hat or graduation cap? In construction, we need both
Our skills challenge is about perceptions as much as pathways, and we need to tackle the two together, writes Patricia Moore at Turner & Townsend
Consultants have a unique vantage point on the built environment professions review - they must use it
The government’s call for evidence on the future of built environment professions closes in days. Andy Hay of Hollis argues that consultants, sitting between clients, contractors and regulators, are best placed to explain how the system really works
Building Safety Act compliance: Who owns the risk at gateway three?
After many found difficulties at gateway three, housebuilders are now alert to challenges at the regime’s third and final approval stage. Charis Beverton looks at what the sector and regulator can do to avoid a repeat of the problems
Delivery at risk: how the industry can step up as councils navigate change
At a time of uncertainty, local authorities will look to firms to help create stability through shared capability and stronger expertise, writes Caroline Compton-James
The real planning problem starts after permission is granted
Securing consent faster is only part of the challenge. If contractors are appointed too late, projects can inherit the most expensive version of the approved scheme, writes Beth West
Change is in the air: how Burnham can boost housebuilding
In his last column as chief executive of Barratt Redrow, David Thomas outlines some ways of boosting housebuilding while reminding us why it is important
Paul Morrell: The problem with reforming construction professions is knowing where to start
Former government chief construction adviser examines MHCLG’s call for evidence on professions, trades and occupations - and argues progress will stall unless government is clear about what it can fix
Cross-industry collaboration at its best: The human story behind the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
The UKNZCBS is so much more than the sum of the technical parts that made it. Tamsin Tweddell explores the human capabilities which made it possible
What happens when an adjudicator disagrees with both parties about the very basis of their disagreement?
The parties disagreed on what the contract said about damages – but the adjudicator ruled it said nothing at all
Corporate structure no longer a shield for manufacturers
A landmark Building Safety Act ruling makes manufacturers and suppliers still liable for defective products sold in the UK, even if their UK subsidiary has gone bust or they are based overseas
Planners can’t assume demolition is less green
Nicholle Kingsley on a new ruling that proves demolition is not automatically the less sustainable option
The how and why of collaborative contracting
Richard Adams unpacks the trend towards greater collaboration in the UK construction industry’s procurement and contractual models
Don’t get caught out by AI hallucinations
A solicitors firm got a flea in its ear after submitting AI hallucinations in court papers – but proper penalties are needed
