Author Archives: Charlotte Banks

A regional authority is considering delaying some of its transport projects after contractor issues contributed to a £121m rise across its £1bn programme. In a report to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board, director of delivery Jo Shore wrote that costs on its five-year transport programme had spiralled due…

Sarah Jones has been appointed as construction minister, Construction News understands. The MP for Croydon West was appointed as minister of state in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on Monday (8 July). CN understands the Construction Leadership Council was…

While the industry tries to improve women’s PPE, other minority groups’ needs remain overlooked It took several months for Leena Begum to even visit a construction site. The apprentice feared she would have to compromise her Muslim faith by wearing the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided. Islam requires women to…

Clement weather helped the construction industry to grow in May, reversing a three-month decline. Construction output jumped by 1.9 per cent, outpacing growth of 0.4 per cent across the whole UK economy, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Output still slowed overall by 0.7 per cent in the…

Ofwat has cut water companies’ plans to upgrade critical infrastructure by £16bn amid public scrutiny over firms’ performance. Last October, water companies proposed £96bn of infrastructure works to Ofwat for the 2025 to 2030 investment period. Some companies resubmitted their business plans in March, increasing the costs to £100bn. Planned…

As the election results rolled in on Friday morning (5 July), former Mace executive-turned-hopeful MP Mike Reader reflected on how familiar the last week had felt: the stress and pressure as deadline day approached, the long hours, coordinating a large team – all skills he developed winning major jobs like…

New Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves has outlined a raft of planning reforms to “get Britain building again”. Reeves used her first speech in her new post to announce a reversal of many Conservative policies including consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) , restoring mandatory housing targets and…

Labour has appointed its former housing and planning minister as a junior minister in the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The news comes after Angela Rayner was confirmed on Friday (5 June) as housing secretary, where she will oversee Labour’s manifesto pledge to build 1.5 million homes over…

ISG’s parent company Cathexis is set to sell the sixth-biggest UK contractor after eight years, amid worries about the London-based firm's finances. ISG chair and Cathexis chief operating officer Matt Roche told stakeholders that the buyer, whose identity he did not disclose, would make a significant investment in the business.…

The construction industry has reacted optimistically but cautiously after the Labour Party swept to a landslide victory in the general election. As Keir Starmer takes power after a period of rising prices, rising interest rates and geopolicital instability, more than half (52 per cent) of construction professionals polled by data…