Month in numbers

8

The number of construction recruitment firms accused of price fixing and anti-competitive behaviour by the Office of Fair Trading. It alleges that the firms boycotted intermediary firm Parc from late 2004 to 2006.

88

The percentage of projects delayed by utility connections in 2008, up from 86% in 2006, says a survey of 352 firms by the National Federation of Builders. Many contractors suffered delays and financial losses as a result.

450

The number of jobs that will be saved after Laing O’Rourke agreed to take over pre-cast concrete specialist Bison.

1,500

The approximate number of students enrolled on the Construction and Built Environment diploma, half the 3,000 expected.

4,000

The number who die each year in the UK from inhaling asbestos fibres. The Health and Safety Executive has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the continuing danger of this ‘hidden killer’.

18,000

The number of full-time workers that will be needed by Transport for London by 2012 to build large-scale projects such as Crossrail.

85m

The amount, in pounds, the Shard of Glass in London Bridge is set to exceed its original £350m budget. Main contractor Mace awaits a decision from developer Teighmore on its revised £435m price.