Planning approvals for housing fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025 to their lowest level since 2019, according to construction analysts Barbour ABI. The figures sharpen the challenge for housing secretary Steve Reed, whose ‘Build, Baby, Build’ drive and the Government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes is being
Proteus Waterproofing has been shortlisted as a Finalist in three major categories at this year’s Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) Awards, reinforcing its growing influence and technical leadership within the UK liquid waterproofing market. The LRWA Awards recognise excellence, best practice and innovation across the liquid roofing and waterproofing
Nationwide Platforms has donated almost £10,000 to charitable causes and local community initiatives over the past year, continuing its commitment to supporting colleagues, families, and communities across the UK. The UK’s leading powered access provider donated a total of £9,785 during 2025, supporting 25 charitable causes and 10 local club
Retention has become one of the defining challenges for UK construction firms in 2026. Long project cycles, skills shortages, and an ageing workforce are colliding with rising expectations from employees who want more than a competitive payslip. In this environment, simply paying more is rarely enough to keep people on
Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) proudly celebrated the industry’s leading innovators at its annual Awards Gala on Friday evening at the Natural History Museum, recognising 16 Rising Stars and 12 major category winners who raise the bar for responsible, innovative and inclusive construction. From climate champions to community heroes, this year’s
Planning approvals for housing fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025 to their lowest level since 2019, according to construction analysts Barbour ABI. The figures sharpen the challenge for housing secretary Steve Reed, whose ‘Build, Baby, Build’ drive and the Government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes is being tested by a weakening housing pipeline. Residential planning approval value ended 2025 at £35.5bn, down 13% on 2021 and 25% below 2019, even though the wider construction market is up around 20% versus pre-COVID. Fewer approvals today mean fewer sites starting in the months ahead, slowing new supply, keeping upward pressure on prices and rents, and pushing the 1.5 million homes target further out of reach. “Last year, Steve Reed called on the industry to build, baby, build, but we’re yet to see any reaction,” said Ed Griffiths, head of business and client analysis at Barbour ABI. “The approvals pipeline for new homes has shrunk to its weakest since 2019, while money and momentum have shifted to energy infrastructure. “We don’t expect to see new housing spend to return to 2022 levels until 2027 and unless we see planning approvals recovering and contract awards broadening beyond a few large schemes, the 1.5 million homes target is looking increasingly impossible.” Contract awards, a key indicator of market health and future workload that signal the move from planning to delivery, remain broadly flat in housing. The value of residential awards edged up 4% in 2025 but has hovered around £22bn for three years. It’s a similar picture on applications. With no answer to current viability issues, residential remains stagnant increasing only 5% in overall application value with a 13% drop in the number of applications. By contrast, the rest of construction is performing. Overall planning approval value across all sectors rose 22% last year to £112bn, even as the number of approvals fell. Infrastructure is a particular highlight, as planning application value improved 45%, and planning approval value jumped 108% in 2025, powered by government-backed energy investment. Seven of the eight infrastructure projects approved in 2025 above £1bn were in the energy sector. Last year also saw growth across most regions, driven by high value transport and utility orders and urban regeneration in cities like Leeds and Manchester. Despite ongoing challenges like high costs and planning delays there are signs that private investors are committing to signing off on new contracts. But how quickly these can translate to activity on the ground in 2026 remains to be seen Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proteus Waterproofing has been shortlisted as a Finalist in three major categories at this year’s Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) Awards, reinforcing its growing influence and technical leadership within the UK liquid waterproofing market. The LRWA Awards recognise excellence, best practice and innovation across the liquid roofing and waterproofing sector. Being shortlisted across multiple categories highlights Proteus Waterproofing’s ability to deliver consistently high-performing solutions across a diverse range of applications, environments and project complexities. Each shortlisted scheme also demonstrates the company’s commitment to robust system design, technical assurance and collaborative working. From large-scale commercial roofing at M&S Putney, to demanding buried Blue Roof System at Welbourne and the technically sensitive waterproofing of public realm water features at Jubilee Park Fountains, these projects highlight the versatility and reliability of Proteus liquid waterproofing systems. “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted in three categories at this year’s LRWA Awards.,” said Justin Pitman, Sales Director at Proteus Waterproofing. These projects reflect the strength of our systems, the quality of our technical support and, most importantly, the trusted partnerships we have with Proteus Approved Contractors who share our commitment to getting waterproofing right.” The shortlisting also reflects the company’s wider impact on the liquid waterproofing market. Proteus continues to invest heavily in product development, technical guidance and installer support, helping specifiers and contractors achieve durable, compliant and long-lasting waterproofing solutions for clients. Winners of the LRWA Awards will be announced later this year. The 3 shortlisted projects, delivered in collaboration with trusted contractor partners, are: (MAIN PICTURE) Marks & Spencer (M&S) Putney, with APA Roofing & WaterproofingLiquid Roofing Project of the Year – over 1000m² For more information about Proteus Waterproofing visit www.proteuswaterproofing.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nationwide Platforms has donated almost £10,000 to charitable causes and local community initiatives over the past year, continuing its commitment to supporting colleagues, families, and communities across the UK. The UK’s leading powered access provider donated a total of £9,785 during 2025, supporting 25 charitable causes and 10 local club sponsorships. Of the total donated, £6,811 was given to national and local charities, with a further £2,974 supporting grassroots sports clubs and youth organisations. Causes supported ranged from cancer and dementia charities to food banks, Christmas raffles, and disability support initiatives. The single largest donation of £2,075 was made to a JustGiving page set up by colleague Jason Butlin, Business Development Manager for the Midlands region, to help fund a specialist purple wheelchair for his daughter Isabelle, who lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Alongside colleague-led fundraising, Nationwide Platforms supported a number of high-profile charities throughout the year, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer’s Society, Action Bladder Cancer UK, and The British Heart Foundation. Charitable giving was further driven by physical challenges undertaken by employees in aid of causes close to their hearts. These included a 26-mile Peak District Mighty Hike completed by Matthew Barnett, Marketing and Communications Specialist, in support of Macmillan Cancer Support; a 100-mile walk across Lady Anne’s Way by Blackburn-based Depot Support Operative Ollie Smith and his partner Heather to raise funds for Action Bladder Cancer UK and Pancreatic Cancer UK; and Ann-Marie Pease’s climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, which began on 2 January in support of Alzheimer’s Society. Local community support also formed a significant part of the 2025 donations. Nationwide Platforms sponsored seven junior football clubs, one local sporting club, a Muay Thai gym, and a youth club, helping to fund club kits, facility set-up costs, and travel expenses to ensure young people from lower-income backgrounds could access opportunities otherwise out of reach, including international sporting travel to the USA. Reflecting on the year’s giving, Nationwide Platforms said the donations highlight the power of colleague-led initiatives and the importance of supporting causes rooted in local communities. “Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and that extends far beyond the workplace,” said Karen Maguire, HR Director at Nationwide Platforms. “Whether it’s supporting a colleague’s family, backing life-saving research, or helping local clubs keep going, these donations reflect the compassion and generosity that exists across Nationwide Platforms.” Nationwide Platforms will continue to support colleague-nominated charities and community initiatives into 2026, building on a year that has seen hundreds of lives positively impacted through collective action. For more information about Nationwide Platforms, visit:https://www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/en-gb Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Retention has become one of the defining challenges for UK construction firms in 2026. Long project cycles, skills shortages, and an ageing workforce are colliding with rising expectations from employees who want more than a competitive payslip. In this environment, simply paying more is rarely enough to keep people on site or in the office. What’s changing is how firms think about value. Wellbeing, once treated as a “nice to have”, is now being folded into core business strategy. Contractors and developers are discovering that the right mix of support, flexibility, and trust can be just as powerful as financial incentives when it comes to loyalty. Retention Pressures Across Construction The labour market remains tight, particularly for experienced trades and technical professionals. Projects are becoming more complex, while the pipeline of new entrants struggles to keep pace. When skilled workers leave, the cost isn’t limited to recruitment fees; productivity dips, knowledge walks out the door, and programmes are disrupted. Many firms have realised that churn is often linked to burnout rather than pay alone. Long hours, unpredictable schedules, and time away from family all take their toll. Against that backdrop, wellbeing has shifted from a peripheral HR concern to a frontline retention tool. Broadening Definitions Of Wellbeing Wellbeing strategies in construction are no longer confined to physical safety or occasional toolbox talks. They now extend into mental health support, flexible working arrangements, and a more open approach to how people balance work with life beyond the job. That broader definition reflects changing attitudes to autonomy. Employees increasingly expect employers to respect how they manage their own time and leisure, whether that’s choosing when to work remotely or how they unwind digitally. From fitness apps to online entertainment options like non GamStop online casinos, flexibility and self-directed leisure are increasingly becoming the norm. Workers value control over how they switch off and employers are beginning to respect and recognise that. Within construction, this mindset has encouraged firms to offer benefits menus rather than one-size-fits-all packages. Support might include access to counselling, adjusted start times, or additional leave during quieter periods. The common thread is trust, and that trust can be a powerful retention lever. Impacts On Productivity And Loyalty The business case for wellbeing is becoming harder to ignore. A growing body of industry reporting shows that firms investing in structured programmes are seeing tangible returns. It was found that 71% of UK construction employees found employee benefit schemes such as gym memberships appealing. Retention is only part of the story. Morale and productivity tend to rise when people feel supported rather than stretched to breaking point. Higher satisfaction often translates into fewer absences and more consistent performance on site. In fact, it’s thought that employers can expect to see up to a 20% increase in productivity if they offer employees effective wellbeing programmes. There’s also the benefit of lower turnover across sectors, including construction. For project-led businesses, even marginal gains in consistency can have an outsized impact on delivery. What This Means For Employers For employers, the message is clear: wellbeing is no longer a soft issue. It sits alongside safety, quality, and programme certainty as a driver of competitiveness. Firms that embed wellbeing into everyday operations are better placed to attract scarce skills and keep them engaged over the long term. That doesn’t mean copying generic perks from other industries. Construction has its own rhythms and pressures, so effective strategies tend to be practical and grounded. Clear communication around workloads, genuine flexibility where roles allow, and visible leadership commitment often matter more than flashy benefits. There’s also a reputational dimension. As clients and partners place greater emphasis on social value, how a company treats its workforce increasingly shapes how it’s perceived. Wellbeing initiatives can therefore support bids and frameworks, not just internal culture. Ultimately, retention in UK construction is being reshaped by a simple idea: people stay where they feel valued. Pay will always matter, but in a crowded labour market, it’s the everyday experience of work that often makes the difference. For firms willing to invest thoughtfully, wellbeing is proving to be less about cost and more about long-term resilience.
Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) proudly celebrated the industry’s leading innovators at its annual Awards Gala on Friday evening at the Natural History Museum, recognising 16 Rising Stars and 12 major category winners who raise the bar for responsible, innovative and inclusive construction. From climate champions to community heroes, this year’s winners prove that construction isn’t just about building structures, it’s about building a better future. Highlights from the Winners’ Circle Community Engagement Award (sponsored by Male Allies UK) – Gallaway Construction Gallaway Construction is turning construction into a catalyst for change. Through its Construction for Women programme, the company has empowered over 400 girls and women with hands-on skills and mentoring, while raising tens of thousands for local causes. A true example of how construction can be a force for good. Climate Champion – General Demolition General Demolition is rewriting the demolition playbook with bold circular strategies, recycling hundreds of tonnes of materials and slashing carbon emissions. From Northampton to London, their work sets a new standard for sustainability. Employer of the Year (sponsored by the National Federation of Builders) – John Sisk & Son With leadership programmes, apprenticeships and inclusion initiatives, John Sisk & Son is shaping a workplace where people thrive. Over 3,000 young people supported – proving that the future of construction starts with investing in talent today. Social Value Leader – Christina Nichols, John Sisk & Son Christina Nichols has delivered measurable impact: 3,600+ hours of career support and £54.6 million spent with local supply chains. Her work ensures construction leaves a lasting positive mark. Considerate Client – Marks & Spencer For 18 years, M&S has championed safety, sustainability and respect for communities, influencing contractors and setting the gold standard for client leadership. Supplier Recognition – O’Neil & Brennan (ONB) ONB’s seamless logistics and proactive problem-solving make them an indispensable partner, elevating every project they touch. Excellence in Construction (Large) – McLaughlin & Harvey From carbon monitoring to mental health support, McLaughlin & Harvey delivers excellence on every front. Excellence in Construction (Small) – Harmonix Construction Ltd Harmonix combines community engagement, environmental responsibility and workforce wellbeing – building with care and integrity. Legacy Award – Pevensey Bay Coastal Defence Two decades of protecting communities and managing coastal flood risks across 18,000 properties – a legacy of resilience. Innovation of the Year – Curo Construction AI meets safety: Curo’s real-time monitoring system sets a new benchmark for tech-driven site safety. Icon Award (sponsored by Building a Safer Future) – Luke Hands, Ardmore Group A mental health champion reshaping how construction cares for its people. Rising Stars 16 Rising Stars were celebrated, showcasing the next generation of leaders driving the future of construction: Matthew Barnes (VolkerHighways), Joel Blanchflower (Laing O’Rourke), Liam Cater (Ardmore Group), Nicol High (Octavius), Daniel Hilton (Kier Transportation), Liam Jackson (McLaughlin & Harvey), Megan McDonald (KPH Deconstruction Services), Chris O’Hagan (McLaughlin & Harvey), David Okorhi (Knight Build Limited), Kate Parsons (Kier Transportation), James Preston (McLaren Construction), Kit Robinson (Kier Transportation), Megan Smith (McLaughlin & Harvey), Cian Webb (Clegg Construction), Katie Webster (Kier Construction), Abigail Wilkinson (Sir Robert McAlpine). Champion of Construction (sponsored by Construction Industry Council) – Colin Robinson With 50 years of service, Colin Robinson, Senior Site Manager at GRAHAM Group, has demonstrated leadership and compassion that have transformed lives – from saving a colleague to creating safer spaces for children. Desiree Blamey, Managing Director for Considerate Constructors Scheme, said: “The winners represent the very best of our industry, proving that construction can be innovative, inclusive and a powerful force for good. Their achievements set a standard that inspires us all to build responsibly and leave a lasting positive impact.” The event was supported by our sponsors, with Build Warranty as headline sponsor and Mates in Mind as the evening’s charity partner. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals