May to trigger Article 50 next Wednesday

Prime minister Theresa May will trigger Article 50 starting the two-year process for Brexit next Wednesday (29 March).

The UK’s permanent representative to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, notified Brussels this morning that a letter should be expected on that date.

The news comes after this publication last week launched the next phase of our Building a Better Brexit campaign to secure a fair deal for the construction sector in forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Industry big-hitters including Mace, Gleeds, KPMG and Arcadis have pledged their support, after Building published a manifesto of eight demands of government - and three industry pledges for self-improvement.

The demands cover a range of key areas of concern, including skills, material costs, pipelines and procurement, while the pledges take in better training, improving the sector’s image and greater use of technology.

Building’s survey of over 2,000 construction professionals, published last month, as well as subsequent research interviews with a range of professionals across the industry, informed the manifesto.

We are calling on companies and professionals to register their support as we step up our campaign for a fair deal for the sector.

Other initial backers include former RIBA president and EMEA managing director of architect Perkins+Will, Jack Pringle, and Mark Farmer, founding director of consultant Cast and author of the government-commissioned report on the sector, Modernise or Die.