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The delivery of new homes and the critical infrastrustructurw to support them is a big theme of the Labour government's drive for economic growth. We're here at UK Construction Week to hear from Mark Reynolds, chief executive of Mace to hear his take on this critical issue. Mark talks about the Construction Leadership Council, of which he co-chairs, and how it sees itself as a critical friend of government, and aims to represent the entirety of the industry, from SMEs upwards. Talking about the Building Safety Act, he says the industry is doing a lot of work on this behind the scenes. We need to hold ourselves to account, on Grenfell Inquiry, he says. We do need a golden thread. We need to at contractual obligations. Too often risk is pushed down the line. The industry needs to engage with the right stakeholders on diversity, inclusion and mental health. The sector also needs to look at productivity gains, and moving towards Net Zero. There's also the NPPF to look at, and nutrient neutrality. So much, there, for the industry to consider. But the construction industry delivers economic growth. We do amazing things and we should be proud of that, he says. The construction industry likes a challenge. Our safety standards are improving. Mental health is being focused on more. There's a lot of uncertainty now, but that also brings opportunity. Construction has a central role to play in delivering growth and the transition to net Zero. To deliver, government must support the construction industry, and be held to account by us as members of the public, but also as the industry. Productivity is very important. It's at the heart of growth, but the industry has plateaued. There are areas where it can be improved, in planning, in the way we deliver buildings, better business processes, more collaboration. The industry needs to reach out to young people and retrain. Construction is the second best paid industry in the country, he points out. A question on regulation from the floor, Mark doesn't think there should be more regulation of the industry; he thinks there needs to be more collaboration. But he does think there should be more regulation on retentions. On sustainability, he thinks the UK is genuinely world leading on Net Zero. Sustainability has a double meaning of course, sustaining business, but also sustainability in terms of the planet. #ukcw #construction #Economy #infrastructure #sustainability

A team of 14 organisations came together to make recommendations to The Scottish Government for critical actions that must be taken to reach net-zero targets. BEFS, alongside 13 built environment sector partners, has published a new report from the industry-led Retrofit Roundtable, encouraging the Scottish Government to act quickly to adopt industry recommendations on retrofit. This group – comprised of industry practitioners, academics, and policy professionals – says Scotland will struggle to hit fuel poverty and net-zero targets without urgent intervention. We have called for the Government to support a just transition by developing a ministerial oversight group and Retrofit Delivery Plan. The report’s recommendations support a ‘fabric first’, whole-home approach to retrofit and outline that Scotland can only meet its net zero objectives with a government-led, clear path forward and a plan to ensure that necessary resources are in place. Without them, households will be left with energy-inefficient homes that are draughty and expensive to heat. This ongoing collaborative effort comes one year after the Chartered Institute of Building hosted a ‘Retrofit Roundtable’ – sponsored by Gordon MacDonald, MSP, and attended by members from across the Chamber—in May 2023 to discuss the nation’s retrofit challenge and consider solutions. Read the full report and the group’s recommendations here: https://ow.ly/J7TS50RMYPp Built Environment - Smarter Transformation| UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence |The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)| Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) ANZ Region | Federation of Master Builders| Procast Group| The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland| Scottish Traditional Building Forum| Stone Federation Great Britain| Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors| SNIPEF|SELECT| GRAS Architects #Retrofit #BuiltEnvironment #Scotland #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency

State and territory building ministers met recently to discuss a range of topics including the shift towards achieving net zero, NCC 2025, and pre-fabricated housing. The discussion about pre-fabrication is particularly noteworthy, especially since it coincides with the Prime Minister's recent announcement regarding advanced manufacturing in Australia. 🏗️ 🏠 https://lnkd.in/gj3JaNEV Property Council of Australia chief, Mike Zorbas pointed out that industrialised construction is an excellent opportunity for Australia, but requires scalability. He emphasised the need for innovation, investment, and secure demand pipelines, especially during a time of increased construction, land, and capital costs. We agree. There are already many early adopters in #MMC here in Australia, but to capitalise on this opportunity at scale, we need greater support for industry now. This requires further government subsidy, support, and investment, just like any other innovation curve. It also requires further demonstration and pilot projects at key sites across the state and the country to prove what's possible, both in terms of volumetric and prefabricated components. This can be achieved either through direct investment, subsidies and incentives in design and procurement, or a combination. 🏡 What are the benefits right now? Speed. Not cost. 🏠 🏡 What are the benefits long term? Speed, cost, diversity of workforce, security over delivery timeframes. Just to name a few. It’s certainly an exciting space, and if we end up at the forefront of it, presents a significant opportunity to tackle future housing supply challenges. At the very least, it will enhance the supply chain resilience and responsiveness. Something we have witnessed the fragility of since covid. Footnote for those who often ask what is MMC: Modern methods of construction is a process which focuses on off-site construction techniques, such as mass production and factory assembly, as alternatives to traditional onsite building. #building #construction #offsite #modern #methods #housingsupply #residential #development #future #focussed #advanced #manufacturing Q Shelter Master Builders Queensland Building 4.0 CRC Property Council of Australia Queensland

The government is supporting the development of modular housing and off-site construction methods to increase efficiency and reduce building costs. By combining financial support, policy changes, and skills development, the government aims to create a favourable environment for the growth of modular housing and off-site construction in the UK. This will hopefully contribute to increasing housing supply, reducing costs, and improving the quality and sustainability of new homes. #ModularHousing #OffSiteConstruction #Innovation #HousingTechnology

How is the housing market contributing to construction growth in the West Midlands? The private housing sector in the West Midlands is experiencing a significant boost, driving opportunities in the construction industry. Glenigan's analysis reveals a 15% increase in the total value of projects receiving planning approval compared to the previous year, with major developments like Garrison Circus in Birmingham leading the way. Despite economic challenges, investor confidence remains strong, particularly in Birmingham, where residential schemes dominate. Top contractors like VINCI are securing significant work, while opportunities in other sectors, such as the Doverdale Solar Farm, are also emerging. With a growing pipeline of projects, including those related to housing and infrastructure like the HS2 rail link, the West Midlands construction industry is poised for continued activity in the coming year. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e-8wHCPb (Image/Ref) #Time54 #SpecificationMarketing #MarketingAgency #ConstructionMarketing #Specifiers #Architects #Design #SocialMedia #Marketing

As we transition into the the new year, moving on from cheese boards and wine, I am turning my mind to what are the Key Trends to watch in 2025 in UK Construction? 🔮 This year feels like a pivotal one for the UK construction sector, highlighted by the ongoing balancing act between innovation, regulation, and economic pressures. Here's a snapshot of what we I think we can expect this year: 🦺 Building Safety Takes Centre Stage: Following the aftermath of Grenfell and the new Building Safety Act, 2025 will see tighter regulations and a continued focus on compliance. Expect increased investment in safety protocols, technology, and skilled training, as the industry prioritises safeguarding workers and residents alike. 💷 Insolvencies and Financial Pressures: With inflationary pressures, rising material costs, and labour shortages, many construction companies are at risk. The industry could see more insolvencies in 2025 unless firms adapt quickly with smarter financial management and project delivery strategies. 🏘️ Housing Crisis, and Slow Progress on Building Targets: Housebuilding remains a critical challenge. While the government has set ambitious targets, supply chain issues and land availability constraints continue to hinder progress. Expect innovative solutions in modular and off-site construction to gain traction as developers look for faster, more cost-effective ways to build. 📈 Infrastructure Investment Boost: The government's push for infrastructure investment, particularly in areas like transport, energy, and digital connectivity, will drive growth in key projects. However, with tightening budgets and the need for sustainability, efficiency and long-term planning will be critical. In 2025, the construction sector will be defined by its ability to navigate 🗺️ these challenges while embracing new technologies and safety standards. Now more than ever, agility and foresight will be key for the industry, and those working within it, to thrive. #UKConstruction #BuildingSafety #Construction2025 #Infrastructure #HousingCrisis #ConstructionLeadership #Dentons #DentonsProjects #DentonsConstruction Photo credit: getting the new year steps in, hoping to begin the year as I mean to go on! 🥾

The future of housing is here, and we’re ready to deliver. Exciting news. Our CEO Bruce Nicholson was featured on Nine, discussing the urgent need to streamline approvals, cut through red tape, and embrace modern modular manufacturing. These steps are essential to achieving the Government’s ambitious goal of delivering 1.2 million homes. Modular construction has evolved dramatically, but outdated perceptions and delays in the approval process continue to hold Australia back. While our global counterparts are forging ahead, it’s time to step up. 🎥 Watch the full video here.   #modularhousing #sustainablehousing #affordablehousing #housingcrisis #australiamanufacturing

Ireland's Housing for All plan adopts Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), where the benefits can include a more sustainable built environment and a faster timeframe for producing high-quality homes. For a comprehensive analysis, read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e4DDn7Kn #MMC #Housingforall

"The private sector tends to react more quickly to changing market conditions than the public sector (development entities) with the more immediate commercial pressures inherent in their specific business model having a major influence." "Historically, and particularly for housing associations, there has been a tendency to try and build internal capacity in all of the elements of development delivery, including development management, construction management and sales and marketing." #housing In Housing Today, Richard Jones who is a partner at Arcadis, discusses the challenges and key improvements facing the residential sector. https://lnkd.in/eYH6WZMq

📈 Canadian Construction Industry Outlook: 2025-2028 🏗️ The Canadian construction industry is projected to grow 2% annually from 2025 to 2028, with significant growth expected in residential housing. This expansion is driven by the government’s commitment to addressing the housing deficit by constructing new affordable homes by 2030. This growth presents exciting opportunities for innovation and development within the sector, as we work towards creating more accessible and sustainable housing solutions. 🔗 Dive into the details of this projection here: https://bit.ly/3XqYTw1 #ConstructionGrowth #ResidentialHousing #AffordableHousing #IndustryTrends #PGCM