Will government's aspirations for good design be derailed by under-resourced planning departments?
Pro-building planning reforms are undoubtedly a good thing for our industry but we must be careful to ensure that legitimate community concerns can still be heard, writes Denise Chevin
A year full of challenges, pressure and uncertainties for our industry – that was 2025
The second quarter brought some optimism with the publication of infrastructure and industrial strategies but ongoing economic uncertainty was the dominant theme overall, Karl Horton writes
A new year – and the same old problems need new solutions
A radical rethink of how we build is essential in 2026 for construction to help hit government targets and deliver the growth this country so desperately needs, writes Richard Steer
Apprenticeship reforms risk creating a competence crisis in construction
As industry leaders voice their alarm over Skills England’s apprenticeship reforms, Karen Wood has taken the difficult decision to pause the firm’s carpentry and joinery apprenticeship programme because of the damage these ‘wrong-headed’ proposals could cause
Planning reform needs to drive regional growth at pace
Using transport links as the key for unlocking housing can deliver much-needed growth that is both sustainable and inclusive, says Viral Desai at AtkinsRéalis
Future-proofing construction: Why AI must start with people
The industry can harness artificial intelligence to future-proof the workforce. Its success depends on cross-generational training, Nicola Seddon writes
This month’s construction industry gossip: Sparkles and stars
The latest chatter around the industry
Social value is not the problem – poor implementation is
Social value isn’t failing because the principle is flawed - it’s struggling because procurement systems lack the capability and confidence to deliver on their own ambitions, says Ellie Jenkins of Akerlof
Construction’s long year: why 2026 must deliver
Gateway 2 approvals are finally moving, inflation and interest rates are easing and major infrastructure projects could spark recovery - but only if government turns promises into action
Can Steve Reed save Christmas with his planning reforms?
The fact that measures to standardise planning decisions will be made non-statutory is disappointing, but planning reform can still be a valuable gift, writes Paul Smith
Why it’s so important to change the public perception of new towns
Only large-scale developments can offer enough investment for the major new infrastructure that people want and need, but we must work hard to take those people with us, writes Brian Yates at Stantec
Purpose, not process – the future of project management in an age of AI
The opportunities of digital transformation are inspiring and bring many benefits, but good project management remains a human discipline, generating something that AI cannot, Simon Venner at Ward Williams writes
Why my generation is falling in love with construction
The desire to make a difference and help change circumstances and the environment for the better is alive and well in a generation of school leavers trying to work out what they want to do next, writes Oscar Sitwell
COP30: Let’s focus on the practical wins despite the fossil fuel shortfall
COP30 may not have delivered the headline ambition that many hoped for, but it has shown that practical cooperation can drive real change, writes WSPs David Symons
The infrastructure opportunity we’re overlooking: Smarter asset use
Built environment professionals know that the most sustainable solution is often not to build at all. Last week’s Budget invited the industry to focus on optimising what already exists, Holly Davis writes
Misrepresentations on nomination form invalidate adjudication
A recent TCC ruling serves as a useful reminder of sticking to facts and a simple opinion on suitability or otherwise on adjudicator nomination forms
Payment rigmaroles – it just shouldn’t be that complicated
It’s that darned payment regime again! Even the courts are getting sick of it now and calling for common sense
All construction firms need an AI use policy – but how do you start?
Iain Simmons sets out the minimum requirements for an effective AI use policy in the construction sector
Clauses designed to help avoid conflict in JCT construction contracts
How updated provisions in JCT 2024 are helping drive behavioural change in the industry towards conflict avoidance
Why a recent High Court ruling could lead to a rights of light reset
Rashpal Soomal explains how a recent case has shifted the legal position on claims about rights of light
Let’s fix construction’s payment issues
With the government’s consultation on poor payment practices now closed, what more needs to be done? Rudi Klein talks retentions, payment notices, adjudication costs and project bank accounts
Let’s extend 28-day adjudication to buyers of new homes
Tony Bingham makes a plea to housing secretary Steve Reed to ditch a Construction Act exclusion that ill serves new home buyers
