Urgent regulatory reform required to support crucial sector in midst of national housing emergency The challenges faced by small and medium sized home builders and the need for urgent regulatory reform to get this crucial part of the Scottish housing market growing again are being spotlighted this week with
Work in now underway on a development in Spennymoor, County Durham, which will see 187 mixed tenure homes created. Vistry North East – part of the Vistry Group – is delivering the project, comprising two, three and four bedroomed properties on an 18-acre site, just off Whitworth Road. And a
Hire Association Europe & Event Hire Association (HAE EHA) has announced that it is developing a new Theft & Fraud Reporting Portal as it calls for vigilance ahead of the August Bank Holiday, a time typically rife with criminal activity against the construction sector. The portal could support the recovery
Handover ceremony after Pilbeam Construction named as winner in Sussex Heritage Trust Awards St Mary’s Church in Horsham has a received a special plaque after a renovation project at the church by Southwick firm Pilbeam Construction won a Sussex Heritage Trust award. The aim of the renovation was to improve
Evesham and Droitwich’s MP has spoken to one of the leading businesses in the area to find out how they’re setting the standard for road planing in the UK. Nigel Huddleston met a range of staff from Jet Plant Hire during his visit to the successful contractor. The company has
Oliver Jones-Orrells has been appointed to the assistant director role that will support development, investment and continued economic growth in Manchester. Previously Head of Estates at Transport for Greater Manchester, Oliver has working alongside the Council on projects such as Mayfield and Electric Park but originally started his career here,
Drainage and water supply system specialist, Polypipe Building Services, has launched new technical brochures for its MecFlow Supply Systems designed to make the specification process as smooth as possible. There is a technical manual dedicated to each key MecFlow products: MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press, which are now available to
BMI Redland, the specialists in pitched roofing solutions, are celebrating 40 years of Cambrian Slate – the innovative engineered slate tile which has paved the way for responsible roofing and even won the prestigious Queen’s Award. The launch of Cambrian Slate was a world-first for the roofing industry in the
Today, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2024 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a
As the UN’s International Equal Pay Day approaches, it’s important to tackle the gender pay gap in construction, which, according to the 2023 ONS data, stands at 12.1% (median average). The Gender Pay Gap across the construction sector has worsened by a median 3% over the past three years, going
Urgent regulatory reform required to support crucial sector in midst of national housing emergency The challenges faced by small and medium sized home builders and the need for urgent regulatory reform to get this crucial part of the Scottish housing market growing again are being spotlighted this week with a range of activities including a special roundtable session with the Ministers for Housing and Public Finance. Other MSPs are undertaking visits to vitally important rural and brownfield housing developments being delivered by SMEs across the country. This dedicated “Awareness Week” follows recently published independent data review revealing an alarming reduction in Scotland’s SME home building sector. According to representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS), the proportion of new homes sold by those building between three and 49 homes per annum has fallen from around 40 per cent in 2017 to 20 per cent in 2023. It also shows a significant increase in the number of SME home builders being dissolved, with 2023 levels 45 per cent higher than in 2019. Speaking ahead of the Ministerial roundtable taking place on Wednesday (21 August), HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said: “Our research is the first of its kind, quantifying and contextualising Scotland’s SME home building sector and filling a significant data gap. Its findings paint a sobering picture of the impact barriers to growth are having on this vital group. “SMEs simply do not have the economies of scale available to larger developers to navigate what is an overly complex and under-resourced planning system. This, coupled with the high-risk upfront financial costs involved in residential development and an ever-increasing regulatory burden, is making many SME sites unviable. “With SMEs essential for building out rural and brownfield sites and the added context of a national housing emergency and a staggering 28% of Scottish households (693,000) identified as being in some form of housing need, what further evidence does the Scottish Government require to take action and introduce the regulatory reform required to facilitate the delivery of much-needed, warm and sustainable new homes? “We are grateful to the Ministers for Housing and Public Finance for joining us this Wednesday to hear first hand the challenges that only SME home builders themselves can provide. HFS and its members are ready to work with them to ensure Scotland has a positive regulatory environment which fosters housing growth rather than diminishing it. Eve McCurrich, Managing Director of Whiteburn Projects, this year’s HFS SME Home Builder of the Year, said: “SMEs are tremendously important to the diversity of new home delivery across Scotland. As demonstrated by the research, the decline in the number of SMEs is stark evidence of the loss of local house builders across Scotland. “A buoyant SME culture would not only see the creation of new businesses and new jobs, but importantly, it would provide new homes across the whole of Scotland. This would not only positively contribute to the national and local economies, but offer homes and jobs for people within their local communities. “I urge policy makers to take note of these findings, listen to what is needed to remove barriers, and help support the SME sector to flourish in Scotland, reaping these benefits for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work in now underway on a development in Spennymoor, County Durham, which will see 187 mixed tenure homes created. Vistry North East – part of the Vistry Group – is delivering the project, comprising two, three and four bedroomed properties on an 18-acre site, just off Whitworth Road. And a deal has now been agreed, which will see one of the region’s largest not-for-profit housing associations – believe housing – acquire 111 of the homes, to be made available for affordable rent, rent to buy and shared ownership. This will include 20 new bungalows built for older members of the community – which can be adapted as people’s needs change – and a selection of two, three and four bedroomed houses Other three and four bedroomed homes on the scheme will be sold via the Linden Homes brand, with some plots available via the government’s First Homes scheme, aimed at helping first time buyers on to the property ladder. Properties at the development will all have air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, electric vehicle charging provision and an improved building fabric – to ensure they are energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions and future costs for residents. The first homes on the circa £50million project are expected to be complete by early 2027. It is envisaged the works will create seven apprenticeships and a deliver a total of 1,148 training weeks on site, supporting those looking to enhance their skills and establish a career in construction. In addition, Vistry North East will invest around £550,000 – which is to be allocated towards improving surrounding open spaces and play infrastructure, to provide educational opportunities for local people and to support local healthcare initiatives. Andrew Rennie, development director, Vistry North East, said: “We are delighted to be underway on our first development in Spennymoor. “It is great to again be working with believe housing – following successful projects in Bishop Auckland and Peterlee – on an excellent project, which will improve the choice and quality of housing in the area. “We feel that this mixed tenure model – including a selection of affordable homes, bungalows, properties perfect for first-time buyers and larger, family houses – will enhance an already vibrant community, whilst creating valuable job and training opportunities.” Tom Winter, assistant director of development, believe housing, said: “To help meet the high demand for affordable housing in this area, we have committed to delivering up to 111 new homes on this site – in partnership with Vistry North East. It will be our largest project to date. “We will offer a diverse range of homes for affordable rent, Rent to Buy and shared ownership, helping us to meet the differing needs of future customers. All properties will adhere to the standards outlined in our Future Homes roadmap, which sets clear ambitions to deliver homes around the core principles of energy efficiency, low carbon heating and renewable energy technologies. “And importantly for believe housing, they will be the high quality, spacious, accessible, and energy efficient homes we know that people want to live in.” Vistry Group is the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed tenure homes. A young and dynamic business with a Partnerships-led approach – delivered through the Countryside Partnerships brand – the Group is delivering thousands of homes every year for the affordable and private marketplaces. The Group also encompasses a portfolio of retail brands, including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Countryside Homes. Vistry North East is currently active on 15 construction sites around the region and is working with six housing associations and seven local authorities. Believe housing is one of the largest not-for-profit housing associations in the North East of England, with more than 18,000 homes and 600-plus employees. It improves customers’ lives by providing healthy, affordable homes and enhancing communities. A new-build programme is delivering high quality, energy efficient homes where they are needed. Existing homes are being upgraded in a huge project to improve their energy efficiency and adapt them to future needs. Believe’s community grants are supporting projects that make a real difference to people’s wellbeing and a range of support for customers is helping deliver its vision of life without barriers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hire Association Europe & Event Hire Association (HAE EHA) has announced that it is developing a new Theft & Fraud Reporting Portal as it calls for vigilance ahead of the August Bank Holiday, a time typically rife with criminal activity against the construction sector. The portal could support the recovery of almost £3m worth of equipment within the year*. Working in conjunction with the National Construction & Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) and The Official Construction and Agricultural Equipment Security & Registration Scheme (CESAR) the new Theft & Fraud Reporting Portal will be aimed at HAE EHA members. They will be able to effectively share information on incidents with each other and specialist policing teams, enabling HAE EHA members to better safeguard their businesses against the rising threat of crime. Construction and agricultural machinery theft has increased by 200 per cent since February 20221, with global events, like the war in Ukraine, driving up demand for stolen goods of this type. With Bank Holidays typically rife with crimes of this sort, as businesses close up shop for longer periods, making them prime targets for criminals, the hire industry is disproportionately impacted. At the same time, the equipment hire sector is experiencing a huge spike in fraudulent hires. The collaborative initiative, which HAE is supporting with a significant investment over a three-year commitment, is made up of businesses, police and industry bodies, to tackle the growing crime rates against industry. A report, published by NCATT and CESAR, revealed that the total value of tools and equipment recovered from the sector in just the first quarter of this year was almost £700k. The report also shared that 32 arrests had been made and 127 items recovered in Q1 2024, with some as far afield as Romania and Italy. It also revealed that Essex was a prime target area for these crimes, with the regional police force being supported by CESAR and NCATT in 12 cases in Q1 2024. This is followed by Kent (eight cases), and Lancashire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and South Yorkshire forces being supported six times each in the same period. Mark Bradshaw, public affairs manager at HAE EHA, said: “The rising crime rates against businesses in the hire sector is very worrying but the progress that the CESAR and NCATT teams have made is truly commendable and we are very proud at HAE to be part of this drive to combat crime affecting hire companies. “Ensuring that we can gather as much information as possible about these crimes and work collaboratively across industry and the police is key to tackling this wave of organised crime against our hire sector. That’s why we are creating the Theft & Fraud Reporting Portal for our members to ensure that they have a way of getting this information directly to the policing teams that can help, as well as sharing their experience with other members, something which could help someone else to reduce their risk and keep their team and business safe. “As the August Bank Holiday approaches, this will undoubtedly be an anxious time for those in the hire sector as a long weekend. I urge all these businesses to ensure that security procedures are followed, and that staff are fully briefed on how to make the sites as safe as possible. If incidents do occur, please do report them, both to the police and to us, the information will go directly into supporting the activity of the CESAR and NCATT teams.” Superintendent Andy Huddleston, head of the NCATT and head of the National Rural Crime Unit, said: “NCATT finished its first year of operation with over £6 million in seizures of stolen machinery from criminals. This is as much an indication of the scale of the threat we face as well as well as a measure of the success of NCATT. The high level of seizures and recoveries has continued throughout 2024 and crucially we are seeing more arrests and, with the support of the CESAR donor board including HAE funding support, the team now have a financial investigation capability. “The Hire Association Europe’s three-year funding commitment to help fight plant equipment theft and fraud is absolutely crucial to us continuing this work and targeting construction machinery thieves. Having this specialist team of police officers that cover the whole of the country not only identifying stolen equipment but also coordinating forces and pushing legislative changes is making a difference in tackling organised criminal groups that target HAE members. We are a small unit and whilst we can’t support every theft investigation, what we are able to do is make a tangible difference and I thank the industry for its crucial support in helping us do this.” HAE EHA is a Birmingham-based industry-leading trade association for the plant, tool, equipment and event hire sectors with membership representing businesses from new startups to some of Europe’s largest hire companies. It has over 700 member companies based in the UK, Europe and across other parts of the world. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Handover ceremony after Pilbeam Construction named as winner in Sussex Heritage Trust Awards St Mary’s Church in Horsham has a received a special plaque after a renovation project at the church by Southwick firm Pilbeam Construction won a Sussex Heritage Trust award. The aim of the renovation was to improve flexibility of space in the South Aisle of the Grade-1 listed building in Causeway, Horsham, which in part dates back to 1247. It also saw underfloor heating installed, creating a comfortable space for people to take refreshments during concerts and after services. Judges were so impressed with the sensitive way it was achieved that they awarded the project first place in the Ecclesiastical category. Now, having picked up the award in a ceremony at Lancing College Chapel, Pilbeam returned to Horsham to hand over a commemorative plaque to the church. Nick O’Riordan at St Mary’s said: “We’re absolutely delighted with this award-winning project and the way it has transformed the space at St Mary’s. “A lot of people have remarked on how wonderful it looks, completely in keeping with this very special and historic building. “Many congratulations to Pilbeam Construction for being honoured in this way and for working with us so closely on the project. We’ll be very proud to display the plaque and to welcome people to enjoy the South Aisle at St Mary’s with us.” Expertise was required to complete the renovation, which included digging down to put in insulation for underfloor heating pipes before adding a screed layer and ceramic tiles. These were then topped with stylish Clipsham Stone tiles, expertly laid next to the church’s existing Victorian floor tiles. All these works needed to be carried out with minimal disruption and damage to the fabric of the building, including the church’s famous Father Willis organ. Alan Corbett, managing director at Pilbeam Construction, said: “This was a special project to be involved in and we were delighted to see it win an award. “Then to come back and present a plaque to our friends at St Mary’s, and see for ourselves how well the project has been received, was inspiring. We hope the newly renovated space will be used and appreciated for many years to come.” For more information please visit: https://www.pilbeamconstruction.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Evesham and Droitwich’s MP has spoken to one of the leading businesses in the area to find out how they’re setting the standard for road planing in the UK. Nigel Huddleston met a range of staff from Jet Plant Hire during his visit to the successful contractor. The company has an extensive fleet of planing machines and ancillary equipment which is deployed on projects right across the UK, from large contracts in the private and public sectors, to general hire. The MP found out about the rich history of the company, which was originally founded in 1989 by the current Managing Director Sean Witheford’s father. Since its humble beginnings, the business has gone from strength to strength to become one of the largest local employers in Evesham. It’s also envied for the work it does to become an increasingly sustainable business, repurposing 100% of road planings during jobs. During the last year the company has delivered hundreds of thousands of tonnes of planings from job sites. The majority of these have gone to local businesses, with an average of 1 million tonnes of road planings generated every year. Currently the average tip is just 5.2 miles from the job site. Sean Witheford, Managing Director of Jet Plant, said: “It was a pleasure to host Nigel… I’m incredibly proud of the progress the business has made over the last few decades and it’s always great to be able to demonstrate that. “We’re fully accredited and accountable…. Our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and excellence in planing solutions reinforces our position as an industry leader, setting the benchmark for others to follow. “Nigel toured our Evesham HQ, met numerous people from our talented team and even got to climb onto one of our impressive two metre planers too.” Nigel Huddleston, MP for Evesham and Droitwich, said: “I was delighted to visit Jet Plant Hire and be able to talk to them about the challenges that they are facing, as well as being able to hear about a lot of the great work that they are doing for our highways network. “They are an important local employer, and I was pleased to help and support them in their plans to engage with local schools about the job opportunities that they have on offer for our future workforce.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oliver Jones-Orrells has been appointed to the assistant director role that will support development, investment and continued economic growth in Manchester. Previously Head of Estates at Transport for Greater Manchester, Oliver has working alongside the Council on projects such as Mayfield and Electric Park but originally started his career here, training as a Chartered Surveyor and working on Eastern Manchester investment and regeneration. He will take up his new role in August. During his time at TFGM Oliver oversaw a variety of property development and disposal activities including roles delivering the Bus Depot Acquisition programme which enabled the rollout of Bus Franchising in GM He also oversaw land assembly activities relating to the Trafford Metrolink extension including a joint venture with Peel at Trafford Wharfside, and he was a Director of the Mayfield Partnership. During previous roles at Manchester City Council, Oliver was the property lead for the Eastern Gateway which included roles working alongside private and public stakeholders to facilitate development and land assembly in Ancoats and Islington, Holt Town and the Etihad Campus, alongside secondments to the New East Manchester Urban Regeneration Company. Oliver will take up the assistant director for development and investment role from late August 2024. Oliver said: “Manchester has been a hugely rewarding place to live and work and the development and growth of the city over the last twenty years has been an immense source of pride for me. “But there is still much more we can do and I relish the opportunity to contribute towards the city’s continued ambition for sustainable and inclusive economic growth – and the creation of great neighbourhoods that strengthen communities, attract investment and create jobs that will make sure that Manchester continues to thrive.” Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “We welcome Oliver to our strategic development team where he will play an instrumental role in attracting further investment to the city, supporting sustainable economic growth and deliver exemplar investment for our communities. We look forward to working closely with him as he takes up this challenging role.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Drainage and water supply system specialist, Polypipe Building Services, has launched new technical brochures for its MecFlow Supply Systems designed to make the specification process as smooth as possible. There is a technical manual dedicated to each key MecFlow products: MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press, which are now available to download. The manuals provide detailed information and full technical specifications to support building service and public health engineers when specifying projects. MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press Supply Systems are designed to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability offering robust solutions for a wide range of applications in commercial and high-rise projects. Together they form a fully comprehensive supply system from the basement or plant room to risers, runouts and apartments. Designed for robustness, MecFlow Fusion is available from ø20mm to ø 315mm and features a tough multi-layer composition that’s reinforced by microfibres for added mechanical strength and antimicrobial properties. The welding techniques used to install MecFlow Fusion produce secure, long-lasting joints without the need for hot works. Also available exclusively in MecFlow Fusion is the patented CLICKWELD™ technology, that allows a “dry fit” and adjustments before electrofusion of the joints. Certified to BS EN ISO 15874 with WRAS approval, MecFlow Fusion uses socket weld, buttweld and electrofusion jointing methods to create homogenous joints. Designed for flexibility and durability, MecFlow Press is a multi-layer composite piping system available from ø16mm to ø32mm. Engineered for potable, hot and cold plumbing and heating installations, MecFlow Press takes the best of both metal and plastic systems. Providing an oxygen tight barrier, low thermal expansion and first-class flow rates, the ideal choice for runout and apartment installations. Certified to BS EN ISO 21003 with WRAS approval, MecFlow Press uses press-fit jointing featuring a stainless-steel sleeve with tool guide and inspection holes ensuring peace of mind. Each of the technical manuals provide in-depth information on the systems range, including: With the product’s full specifications available in two fully comprehensive publications, specifiers and contractors have complete reassurance and confidence that MecFlow Supply Systems comply with legislation and meet the project requirements. Ian Crickmore, Technical Director of Polypipe Building Services, explains: “We recognise the importance to our clients of having technical information readily available during the specification process, helping them to correctly plan a project from the ground up. Our new MecFlow Supply Systems technical manuals are designed to make that process time-efficient and hassle-free, with easy to navigate information including full specifications, technical illustrations and rating tables, providing specifiers and contractors with complete reassurance that the MecFlow product is the right fit for their project.” Download the technical manuals today: MecFlow Supply Systems | Polypipe Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BMI Redland, the specialists in pitched roofing solutions, are celebrating 40 years of Cambrian Slate – the innovative engineered slate tile which has paved the way for responsible roofing and even won the prestigious Queen’s Award. The launch of Cambrian Slate was a world-first for the roofing industry in the mid-80s, bringing a natural slate roof tile to market with all the qualities of an engineered product. The system represented an entirely new approach to recycling by taking some of the large amount of waste rock generated by the slate quarrying process and turning it into an attractive, durable slate tile. Cambrian made it possible to balance traditional aesthetics alongside engineered performance and sustainability. Reflecting the ground-breaking nature of Cambrian, during 1984, its development was kept tightly under wraps, with a brand-new factory built in Wales – just a few miles from where the slate is quarried – which remains the heart of production to this day. Within a decade of its launch, Cambrian also won the 1991 Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement. BMI’s commitment to innovation has seen further developments over the last four decades, with the most recent being its compatibility with the Redland PV InDaX Adapt in-roof solar system. “When we launched the Cambrian tile in the mid-80s, it was the world’s first natural slate composite tile, combining the best of traditional Welsh slate with the quality and uniformity of an engineered product,” says Mat Woodyatt, Product Manager at BMI. “In the years since its launch, the tile has helped housebuilders and roofers to elevate levels of quality, maintaining traditional natural slate aesthetics and even prioritising sustainability – so it was well ahead of its time. “It truly is a product for the whole team to be proud of and it is genuinely reflective of the innovative culture that our company is built on.” Suitable for a wide range of projects and architectural styles, Cambrian Slate is a specially engineered system, which can be specified with Cambrian fittings to create a complete system. Made using over 60% responsibly sourced Ffestiniog Welsh slate, it is lightweight, suitable for pitches as low as 15° and simple to install. BBA certified, Cambrian comes complete with a 60-year product guarantee alongside a 15-year weathertightness, durability and design liability guarantee when specified using SpecMaster. Discover the full potential of Cambrian at bmigroup.com/uk/cambrian Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2024 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. Averaging £10,198 million per month, work starting on site in the three months to the end of July increased 8% compared with the same period last year. This uplift was attributed to a significant spike in major project-starts which rose considerably, increasing 42% compared to 2023. However, this growth was tempered by a decline in underlying project-starts which were down 11% on the previous year despite inching up (+2%) against the preceding three months. Overall, work starting on site failed to grow on the preceding three-month period, declining 10% during the three months to July. Commenting on the figures, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilén says, “Construction activity is showing encouraging signs of recovery, with starts on site up 8% compared to last year and main contract awards reflecting a steady 3% year-on-year growth. This momentum indicates a cautiously optimistic outlook within the industry, particularly as the new government’s planning reforms begin to take shape.” Main contract awards fell 9% against the previous three-month period, but pulled slightly ahead of last year, rising 3%. Drilling into the data, major contract awards were responsible for this slight growth, advancing a third on the year before. Underlying contract awards, however, declined 5% against the preceding period and 11% compared to 2023 levels. Planning approvals were down across the board, dropping back 6% against the previous three months and 32% on a year ago. Major planning approvals fell 12% against the preceding period, with the value decreasing by 54% on last year. Underlying planning approvals increased 6% on the preceding three months, but finished 5% lower than the same period in 2023. The sector-specific and regional index, which measures underlying project performance, saw modest growth during the three months to the end of July 2024. Residential construction experienced a particularly healthy period, contributing to a 2% overall growth in underlying starts. Taking a closer look at the highlights… Residential starts going strong Underlying residential starts increased 12% during the three months to July, despite falling back 17% on the year before. This overall boost was attributed to a spike in private housing starts, which rose by 25% following a weak start to the year as developers’ sentiment toward the prospects for the housing market improved. Despite the upturn, starts were still 12% lower than a year ago. Social housing work starting on site remained depressed, dropping by 23% against the preceding three months and being 32% down against the previous year. Prison starts jump tenfold amid Community & Amenity decline Underlying community & amenity project-starts fell 44% compared to the preceding three-month period to stand 8% down on last year. Underlying contract awards experienced a weak performance, decreasing 52% against both the preceding three months and the previous year. Underlying approvals were also down 51% (SA) on the previous three months, and 47% on 2023 to total £142 million. Major community & amenity projects (>£100 million) fared better compared to the same period last year, when no major projects started on site. Major approvals also increased on the preceding three-month period and on the same time last year. Totalling £205 million, prisons accounted for the highest proportion (50%) of community & amenity starts, with the value jumping more than tenfold on a year ago. Regional Outlook Refreshingly, regional performance was generally impressive. Yorkshire and the Humber and Scotland performed strongly, with the value of starts rising by 10% and 4% during the three months to July and up 5% and 4%, respectively, on a year earlier. Other strong performers included the East Midlands, which experienced a 33% rise in starts against the preceding three months but was still 11% lower than a year ago. The South West, Wales, and Northern Ireland also experienced double-digit growth of 16%, 10%, and 39% respectively against the preceding three months, but the value of starts remained down from a year ago. London experienced a 9% rise against the preceding three months but was 20% down against the previous year. By contrast starts in the East of England, the North East, and the North West declined by 7%, 23%, and 10% respectively against the previous three months. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the UN’s International Equal Pay Day approaches, it’s important to tackle the gender pay gap in construction, which, according to the 2023 ONS data, stands at 12.1% (median average). The Gender Pay Gap across the construction sector has worsened by a median 3% over the past three years, going from 9.3% to 12.1%. There is a clear picture here of a worsening gender pay gap, but what does the construction industry need to do to get into a more positive place, and how can it achieve pay parity? Acknowledge the Issue at Hand It’s often simple to ignore these issues, but for real change to occur, we must acknowledge them. As an industry that intersects with many others, we must recognise the problem and start addressing it. Year Median gender pay gap (5) 2023 12.1 2022 10.0 2021 9.3 *calculated as the difference between average hourly earnings (excluding overtime) of men and women as a proportion of average hourly earnings (excluding overtime) of men. Transparent Salary Reporting While any business that employs over 250 people is legally required in the UK to publish a gender pay gap report, this isn’t to say that smaller companies can’t. While the data may be harder to analyse, there is nothing stopping you from going through the process of gender pay gap reporting. Using data from a construction analytics software can help to streamline the process and provide your team with insight. Similarly, you can also offer clear salary bands across the company. This way people can see what range they can be earning from, and how moving up should affect their pay. Create Bias-free Hiring Practices Companies that utilise bias-free hiring practices such as seeing anonymous CVs can help to remove any notion of gender and race as part of the hiring process. You can also use tools such as the Gender Decoder to remove gender-coded language in job descriptions, which help to remove unconscious gender bias in the hiring process. You could also take a more drastic approach like the Eindhoven University of Technology, who only allowed women to apply to jobs for the first six months they were open, and then let men apply. While this policy has changed since the outcry, the initial policy worked. In five years, the percentage of newly hired female academic staff grew from 30% to 50%. The number of female permanent academic staff increased from 22% to 29%. Actively Address Harassment and “Lad” Culture While construction holds a legacy of lad culture and “banter”, it’s important to set clear boundaries of what is ok and what isn’t ok across the workplace. It can be off-putting for anyone who feels like they may not fit in with the “banter” to want to join a company. With harassment of any kind, it’s important to make a clear statement as to how it has been dealt with and how workplaces plan to action these kinds of things. Whether sexuality, race or gender, making an example of how things have been dealt with shows that such behaviour isn’t tolerated and makes employees affected feel seen and heard. Working with Schools and Universities Growing the pool of those interested in working in construction has to start from the ground up. Whether your company wants to partner with a local school to offer workshops, or you offer training programs to those in universities, working with local educational institutions is a great way to boost the intake of a variety of people throughout the construction industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
