John Spanswick
CommentPot calling kettle
The government wastes £2.6bn of its construction spend, then wonders if the industry is efficient enough. What’s really annoying, though, is that it doesn’t have to be like this
CommentAs near as dammit
The Major Contractors Group’s strategy for giving the British construction industry a properly trained and regulated workforce has been achieved. Well, almost ...
CommentDangerous drop
Sites are safer than they were in 2002, but the next set of HSE statistics will show that things are getting worse. The causes are difficult to pinpoint but the solutions are easier to find
CommentBe hands-on
Trade bodies can only do so much without their members’ input. To get real value out of them, industry leaders must get involved and drive the agenda forward
CommentWe need a new home
As we welcome construction's fifth minister in five years, it's time for one further change: moving the whole, ever-diminishing portfolio to the Treasury
CommentGames plan
Want to know how to guarantee Olympic glory? Don't panic, get the contractors on board as early as possible and steer well clear of lowest-price tendering
CommentA traveller’s tales
Travel may expose you to diverse cultures, but skills shortages, seem to be the same the world over. If only the same could be said for health and safety …
CommentOur successors
With recruitment campaigns beginning to bear fruit, it is up to the industry to hold up its end of the deal and help train the next generation of workers
CommentRight, let’s get started
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but we are going to have to move fast – and get unswerving government support – to make the Olympics a success
- Comment
Be demanding – or else
Seventy site deaths a year is unacceptable to everyone, including the government. So why doesn’t it use its commercial leverage to save lives?