Fall in Construction Enquiries, Warns FMB
Small building companies in the UK are facing a significant downturn in workloads, enquiries, and employment, with 40% of members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) reporting a decrease in the number of work enquiries, according to the latest State of Trade Survey released by the FMB. While the repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) sector remains relatively robust, there...
6,000 Construction Companies Nearing Collapse
The UK construction industry faces a dire financial crisis, as the number of companies on the brink of collapse has surged by 46% in the past three months, according to the latest Begbies Traynor Red Flag Alert report. The report highlights that 5,919 construction firms are now in 'critical' financial distress, with an additional 72,257 companies categorised as being in...
Surge in Suicidal Texts to Construction Worker Helpline
A new helpline service is highlighting growing desperation among industry professionals. The newly established mental health helpline for UK construction workers has revealed alarming figures, showing over a third of texts (30.4%) are from individuals contemplating suicide. This striking statistic brings to light the severe mental health crisis overshadowing the industry as the suicide rate among construction workers ascends for the...
One in Four UK Construction Workers Identifies as Neurodiverse
A quarter of UK construction workers identify as neurodiverse, according to a new report jointly published by the National Federation of Builders (NFB), The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and People’s Partnership. This figure stands in contrast to the broader UK population, where the estimated average is 1 in 7. Moreover, ADHD emerges as the predominant condition, making up 54%...
Engineering Construction Workers Say No to 8.5% Pay Rise
Engineering construction workers affiliated with the Blue Book agreement have resoundingly declined the final pay rise offer proposed by contractors. The proposal, which was presented last month by contractors under the National Agreement for Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI), would affect a workforce of approximately 7,000. The offer follows a 75p per hour cost of living increment agreed upon half a...
Recession Looms for UK Construction as Forecasts Darken
The UK construction industry is facing an increasingly bleak outlook as the rise in mortgage interest rates and the cost of living crisis send shockwaves through the sector. According to the Construction Products Association (CPA), the industry is now on the brink of a severe recession, primarily driven by significant declines in private housing new build and private housing repair,...
Wales Sees Record Attendance at Women in Construction Events
More than 250 schoolgirls from across Wales gathered at three separate Women in Construction events this month, underscoring the CITB's (Construction Industry Training Board) ongoing commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the sector. Hosted at colleges in Swansea, Cardiff, and Llangefni on July 7th, the attendees were introduced to the various facets of construction through hands-on experiences and personal...
UK Eases Immigration Rules to Tackle Construction Skills Shortage
In response to the concerning skills shortage, the UK government has officially added several construction trades to its shortage occupation list (SOL) while significantly relaxing immigration rules for these roles. This move is seen as a pivotal step to invite more overseas construction workers to Britain, a recommendation issued by the government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) back in March. The four...
CITB Announces £500k Innovation Funding to Boost Construction Industry
Industry Impact Fund seeks fresh, scalable ideas to tackle key challenges and transform the industry's future. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched the Industry Impact Fund initiative, offering CITB-registered employers the opportunity to apply for up to £500,000 in funding. The move is part of a larger effort to stimulate innovation and empower businesses to drive change in the...
London Tech College & Lee Marley Combat Skills Shortage
London's newest Tech College has teamed up with Lee Marley to shape future Construction professionals. London South Bank Technical College (LSBTC), a fresh and advanced facility for technical skills learning, was inaugurated yesterday by Gillian Keegan MP, Secretary of State for Education. The college, a £100 million investment located in Nine Elms, was established to offer sophisticated technical skills training to...
