Construction will soon begin on a new Retirement Village development on Roman Road on the outskirts of Hereford. The site in Holmer will provide 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent and is being brought to the city by Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group. Platform, who run a similar development at Harling Court in
Influential electrical body SELECT has launched a new Associate Membership scheme that will give manufacturers and service providers the chance to become part of Scotland’s largest construction trade association. Eight leading industry organisations have already signed up as founder members of the new scheme rolled out by the campaigning trade
The annual construction contract award figures highlighted in real-time on the BCLive league table for 2021 from research gathered & validated by Builders’ Conference, were down on the previous 12 months and fell well short of the £90 billion that had been predicted early in the year. But the table
Exclusive polling conducted for the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting ‘Red Wall’ voters hard, with an astonishing 79 per cent saying the Government does not understand the financial pressures on working families. EUA and YouGov polled 1600 voters in
CONTINUING OUR TRADITION FOR INNOVATE TOOLS, THE MX FUEL™ POWER SUPPLY IS CURRENTLY THE BEST TEMPORARY POWER SOLUTION FOR THE JOBSITE. SUPPLYING 3600 PEAK WATTS/ 1800 RUNNING WATTS OF PURE SINE WAVE ENERGY, THE POWER SUPPLY POWERS EVERYTHING FROM HIGH DEMAND 16A TOOLS TO SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS. Historically, generators have been
The need for new homes continues to rise, with an average 200,000 new houses being built each year. This increase has resulted in added pressure being placed on construction companies, and their supply chains, to keep up with demand. One solution which is aiding the industry and enabling houses to
The rising demand for homes with more space has led to a surge in house prices in London’s outer boroughs, according to Bellway London. The developer says buyers are increasingly choosing locations on the edge of the capital over traditional property hotspots closer to Central London following the pandemic. A
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, highlights ten issues that will affect construction supply chains in 2022. 1. The Building Safety Bill The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is set to change how certain buildings are constructed, maintained and made safe. It will include regulatory
Other key challenges include getting hold of materials and struggling to recruit staff A fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year than 2021 for their companies Almost one in five (19%) electrical companies are looking to hire new staff in 2022 The rising cost of
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3,450sqm, four-storey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65-year history. Constructed offsite, this large-scale building will allow the
Construction will soon begin on a new Retirement Village development on Roman Road on the outskirts of Hereford. The site in Holmer will provide 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent and is being brought to the city by Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group. Platform, who run a similar development at Harling Court in Ledbury, will also provide onsite care and support services plus various communal facilities for the residents. Darren Beale, Regional Managing Director at Vistry Partnerships West Midlands said, “We have extensive experience designing and constructing extra care schemes and we’re very pleased to be working in partnership again with Platform Housing. As one of the country’s leading regeneration specialists we recognise the need to support our partners to build homes across all tenures, particularly homes and care services for older people.” Steve Eaves, Director of Regeneration at Platform Housing said, “This is a fantastic partnership that will provide much needed older persons housing in a very popular and strategically important area for our partners at Herefordshire Council. We are also very much looking forward to working with Vistry again. They have a great track record of successfully delivering large schemes with Platform.“ Cllr Ange Tyler, Cabinet member for Housing, regulatory services, and community safety, said: “Providing affordable housing is a key issue for Local Authorities across Britain, and Herefordshire is no different. One of our key priorities is to deliver safe, comfortable and affordable housing, particularly for vulnerable people. We are therefore delighted to be working in partnership with Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group on this project, and look forward to the new Retirement Village taking shape.” Some £19m is being spent on the project which is anticipated to begin in the spring.
Influential electrical body SELECT has launched a new Associate Membership scheme that will give manufacturers and service providers the chance to become part of Scotland’s largest construction trade association. Eight leading industry organisations have already signed up as founder members of the new scheme rolled out by the campaigning trade body for the electrical sector in Scotland. As well as offering Associate Members a wide range of benefits, the initiative will also allow them to build beneficial relationships with SELECT’s 1,260 member businesses, who between them have an annual turnover of around £1 billion. Iain Mason, Director of Membership & Communications at SELECT, said: “Associate Member schemes are frequently used by modern trade associations to help develop a mutually complementary network of industry-specific partners. “Designed to accommodate organisations who don’t meet the usual criteria of membership, our new scheme will give some of the industry’s biggest names the opportunity to ally themselves with an established and successful trade body. “At the same time it will allows us trade to build stronger relationships with organisations that can offer relevant and useful services to our members.” The eight founding members of the new SELECT scheme are: Aico – European market leader in home life safety Flexel – manufacturer of innovative electric heating systems and accessories Linian – innovative UK manufacturer of cable-fixing products Luceco Group – global manufacturer and distributor of high-quality electrical products Megger – industry leader in electrical test and measurement simPRO – leading job management software solution for service, project and maintenance contractors Tala Training – leading provider of health and safety training and consultancy services Thorn Lighting – internationally leading supplier of integral lighting solutions. Mr Mason said: “The response to our new category of membership has been extremely positive, with these leading enterprises enthusiastically signing up well before the official launch. “We are delighted that so many well-respected industry names have already joined us and we look forward to welcoming many more in the weeks and months to come.” The scheme, which was formally launched on January 1, is open to service providers, manufacturers and any other commercial organisations related to the electrical industry. They do not have to be UK-based and may have a European or international remit. Among the benefits are a prominent logo and biography on a dedicated section of the SELECT website, networking and promotional opportunities, the chance to host webinars and events and the ability to promote goods and services via a wide range of member communications. Associate Members will also be eligible for preferential discounts on advertising, sponsorship and events, including the association’s popular Toolbox Talk roadshows, which are due to tour Scotland in May and June after a two-year absence. Mr Mason added: “SELECT has always been a strong advocate of collaboration and cooperation within the construction sector and we believe this new initiative will allow members and Associate Members alike to enhance and expand their networks to everyone’s benefit.” Founded in 1900, SELECT was first trade association in the world to serve the electrical industry and is today regarded as an exemplar in the construction sector, especially in the fields of training, technical skills and communications. It delivers a wide range of services to around 18,500 professionals and apprentices, trains more than 3,500 electricians each year, and is committed to regulation of the electrical industry for a safer Scotland.
The annual construction contract award figures highlighted in real-time on the BCLive league table for 2021 from research gathered & validated by Builders’ Conference, were down on the previous 12 months and fell well short of the £90 billion that had been predicted early in the year. But the table ended on an unseasonal high to send the UK construction industry into the New Year with its tail up. Neil Edwards CEO of the Builders’ Conference looks back over a roller coaster year and a surprisingly upbeat month. LINKS TO CONTRACT NOTICES…. Construction contract awards TOP50-BCLIVE Table Rolling YR Jan-21 to Dec-21 researched by Builders Conference Construction contract awards FULL- BCLIVE Table December 2021 researched by Builders Conference Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Region for December 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Region for 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Private or Public Sectors for December 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Private or Public sector for 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Category for December 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Category for 2021 First the bad news. The annual BCLive league table for 2021 was down around £8.0 billion on the previous 12 months, coming in at £75.8 billion. But the good news is that the figures for 2020 were skewed somewhat by around £12 billion of HS2-related work that was awarded at the end of the year. Furthermore, even though December is traditionally a quiet month that is greatly curtailed by the festive holidays, December 2021 still delivered £4.4 billion in new contract awards, above the established £4.0 billion monthly benchmark. In addition, the statistics for the final month of 2021 show an encouraging geographic spread of forthcoming workload. Climbing to the top of the heap in December 2021 is French-owned joint venture company CNIM which won a landmark £480 million energy centre new build for client Tata Chemicals Europe. The project involves the construction of a new Energy from Waste (EfW) facility located at Lostock Gralam near Northwich in Cheshire that will produce 69 MW of clean, renewable energy while diverting 600,000 tonnes of waste per year from landfill. In second place on the BCLive league table was BAM, which secured three new contract awards during the month worth a combined £302 million. The largest of these is a £250 million mixed use development at Gateshead Quays on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead. That development will include an indoor arena and exhibition space, public realms, and hotel, leisure and residential space. It had been previously reported that this contract had been secured by Sir Robert McAlpine. The client is Ask Property Developments. Claiming third position on the BCLive league table for the month of December 2021 was Wates with a combined haul of six new contract awards worth a total of £297.6 million. The most notable of these is the new build of a research and development laboratory for client Public Health England in Harlow that is valued at £160 million. Maintaining the dominance of the house-building sector, Hill Partnership took the fourth spot on the BCLive league table with three new housing contract awards during the month that together were worth £187.7 million. The largest of these is a £95 million project to create 547 new dwellings as part of the Marleigh Phase 1 development in Cambridge. In addition to the new housing, that project also includes a new primary school, a nursery, a market square and a new community centre. Claiming fifth position and simultaneously regaining the crown for the most projects in the month was Morgan Sindall. The company picked up a creditable 18 new contract awards during the month worth a combined £152.3 million. The largest of these was picked up by group company Lovell Partnerships; a £43 million housing new build for client Norfolk County Council on a site at Bowlers Green in Hopton. Despite month being shortened by more than a week due to the Christmas holidays, 11 companies picked up more than £100 million in new contract awards to further reinforce December’s positivity. Although it failed to pass the £1.0 billion mark for the first time in a long while, London reigned supreme in the regional run-down, netting 82 new contract awards worth a combined £776 million. The North West (£644 million) and the North (£549 million) enjoyed upbeats months, while the West Midlands (£201 million) and East Midlands (£138 million) were down on recent highs. Scotland reported 22 new projects valued at £340 million to end the year on a high while Wales continues to languish, serving up £71 million split across just 13 new contract awards. Of course, while 2021 is now at an end, 2022 begins with a hangover. The construction sector still faces the triple threat of skills shortages and both materials and fuel price hikes however, £4.4 billion in a short month in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic still feels like something close to a Christmas miracle. Quick review of BCLive table for December 2021 214 no companies were detailed as winning new contracts during December 2021 321 no new construction orders were researched by Builders’ Conference all detailed on the UK’s only Live league table of construction contract awards BCLive CNIM secured overall top spot with a single contract worth £480 million Morgan Sindall Group was the company with the most number of new construction orders in the month with 18no totaling £152.3 million The importance of independent, live construction information, sales leads and bespoke construction sector analysis has never been more important and the Builders’ Conference delivers this real-time service, via one of the most digitally advanced platforms on the UK market. To keep the UK’s only independent and transparent construction project information service available WE NEED YOUR HELP! By becoming a member today – Your business will then have the ability to critically analyse thousands of projects
Exclusive polling conducted for the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting ‘Red Wall’ voters hard, with an astonishing 79 per cent saying the Government does not understand the financial pressures on working families. EUA and YouGov polled 1600 voters in 18 Red Wall constituencies across the north of England, covering seats won by the Conservatives for the first time in 2019 on a range of energy issues. The figures will put pressure on the Government to relieve the pressure of escalating energy bills. The joint poll also found that 80 per cent of Conservative voters in 2019 now believe the issue of energy bills to be important to them, with nearly 60 per cent stating that rising energy bills are having a big impact upon their personal finances. EUA’s analysis of the polling found that 17 of the 18 seats would switch back to Labour if there were to be an election now. The survey comes a few weeks away from a predicted £719 (56 per cent) increase in energy bills, as the Price Cap is reviewed, taking effect in April. Commenting on the findings, EUA’s Chief Executive Mike Foster said: “These numbers confirm just how deeply the cost-of-living crisis is hitting working families. And at the heart of this crisis are escalating energy bills. When there is such strong sentiment expressed by the public, the Government must listen. Sky-high energy bills are not the fault of consumers, but they are paying a heavy price. It is also very clear that politicians will pay a price for not tackling sky-high bills.” “In October, the average Price Cap bill rose by £140, another £700 is simply not affordable. Voters will expect action before April’s figures kick in. There is plenty the Government can do but in the short-term, their options are limited. Cutting VAT on energy bills and switching environment levies onto general taxation will help. They could increase the Winter Fuel Payment paid to pensioners too, but they do need to act.” “To provide long-term relief from high energy bills, the Government needs to prioritise energy efficiency measures such as insulation. It also needs to confirm its intention to switch away from fossil fuel gas to hydrogen for home heating. This will meet the UK’s net zero obligation without adding further financial burdens to consumers.” The constituencies polled as part of the research were: Barrow and Furness, Bishop Auckland, Blyth Valley, Burnley, Darlington, Don Valley, Great Grimsby, Hartlepool, Leigh, North West Durham, Penistone and Stocksbridge, Redcar, Rother Valley, Scunthorpe, Sedgefield, Stockton South, Wakefield, and Workington. For more information, visit the EUA’s website: https://eua.org.uk
CONTINUING OUR TRADITION FOR INNOVATE TOOLS, THE MX FUEL™ POWER SUPPLY IS CURRENTLY THE BEST TEMPORARY POWER SOLUTION FOR THE JOBSITE. SUPPLYING 3600 PEAK WATTS/ 1800 RUNNING WATTS OF PURE SINE WAVE ENERGY, THE POWER SUPPLY POWERS EVERYTHING FROM HIGH DEMAND 16A TOOLS TO SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS. Historically, generators have been a frustrating jobsite nuisance. Not only do they have to be operated outdoors due to excessive noise, but users must also worry about dangerous emissions, hazardous extension cords, petrol “ The new MXF Power Supply powers everything from high demand 16A tools to sensitive electronics. ” Additionally, users who are reliant on shared power sources such as spider boxes are often met with the frustrations of tripped breakers, extension cords, and voltage drops. The MX FUEL™ Power Supply is not only safer than petrol-powered generators, but it can also be used indoors, eliminates the need for petrol and extension cords, and doesn’t require engine maintenance, thus reducing downtime and allowing users to get jobs done faster! The compact size, zero emissions, and quiet operation of the power supply allow users to safely operate the unit in confined, indoor spaces and a roll cage provides durability for outdoor jobsite use. With a push button start, users can start it in seconds, getting up and running faster than ever before by eliminating the repetitive motions of pull starts. The MX FUEL™ Power Supply delivers enough power to run one 16 Amp tool and one lower wattage device simultaneously and can be powered by a single battery or two batteries for double the run time. A great advantage of the MX FUEL™ Power Supply is the interchangeable battery system, resulting in no downtime for the user. The Power Supply also will be forward compatible with any new MX FUEL™ batteries launching in the near future. As an added benefit, ONE-KEY™** provides the ability to track the power supply with community tracking and alerts, complete inventory management, and industry leading smart-equipment technology to secure the user’s investment. *The MX FUEL™ Equipment System: This groundbreaking cordless system revolutionises the light equipment market by delivering the performance, run time, and durability demanded by the trades without the hazards associated with emissions, noise, vibration, and the frustrations of petrol maintenance. Each of the solutions on the MX FUEL™ system go beyond the limitations of petrol and power-cord units and operate off one completely compatible system all on the same battery. This is Equipment Redefined. **ONE-KEY™ is the first digital platform for tools and equipment. By integrating industry-leading tool electronics with a custom-built cloud-based program, ONE-KEY™ provides a new level of control and access to information that revolutionises the way work gets done. The ability to customise, track, and manage through ONE-KEY™ fundamentally changes the way users interact with their tools. Specifications MX FUEL™ Power Supply (MXF PS-602) • Running wattage: 1800 W • Starting wattage: 3600 W • Weight with two MXF XC406 battery packs: 28.2 kg • ONE-KEY™ compatible: Yes • Integrated charger: Yes • Push button activation: Yes Kit Includes MX FUEL™ Power Supply, (2) MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ XC406 Battery pack, Integrated charger Milwaukee Tool will remain unwavering in their commitment to delivering disruptive innovation by working alongside trade professionals to identify challenges and provide solutions that are unparalleled in enhancing jobsite safety and productivity. The future of the jobsite is cordless. milwaukeetool.eu For further information please contact: Joe Wicks – Digital Marketing Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1628 894477 Email: joe.wicks@tti-emea.com
The need for new homes continues to rise, with an average 200,000 new houses being built each year. This increase has resulted in added pressure being placed on construction companies, and their supply chains, to keep up with demand. One solution which is aiding the industry and enabling houses to be built more quickly is the off-site manufacture of prefabricated building component products. Andrew Almond, Marketing Manager at Stormking, a UK-based manufacturer of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) prefabricated products for the construction industry, explains how building off-site can benefit the new home construction supply chain and keep projects on track: “GRP building products are helping to revolutionise the way new homes are built. These products range from door canopies to chimney stacks and are manufactured off-site before being delivered to, and installed, onsite. They can be ‘dry-fit’ into place, which requires no specialist knowledge, training, or tools. “This ease of installation is saving construction companies both time and money – especially when compared to using traditional building materials and methods. However, this is only one advantage that is drawing the sector towards off-site manufactured products. “Safety, choice and – in our case – UK-based manufacturing, are all benefits cited by construction companies when opting for off-site manufactured components. “Firstly, safety. GRP products are substantially lighter than their conventional counterparts. This means they are easier to manoeuvre around site and at height, helping to reduce the potential for handling hazards. There is also no need for additional scaffolding or machinery, which again helps to mitigate against any associated dangers. “Secondly, choice. GRP component products can be produced in a wide variety of styles, colours, and textures. This allows for more creativity with regards to design and enables specifiers to easily source products required for specific planning requirements. Overall, GRP off-site manufactured products offer greater scope in terms of look and feel than traditional tile or brick. “Lastly, but definitely not least, is the ability to source these products from UK-based manufacturers. Here at Stormking we have over 500,000sq ft of manufacturing capacity spread over five sites in the Midlands. This, together with our 300 plus strong work force and fleet of over 20 delivery vehicles, means we can support the industry nationwide, from the Isle of Wight to Northern Scotland. Being based in the UK is also helping us to reduce our carbon footprint. “We understand that environmental credentials are now an important consideration for many companies when choosing a supplier. Here at Stormking, we believe that GRP products offer more environmental and sustainable benefits than traditional building materials. Transportation is reduced as components are delivered in one piece and from one supplier; less resources are required to install the products which reduces the need for more deliveries to site; and the products have a long lifespan, of over 35 years at present, so need replacing less frequently. In addition to this, and to further reduce our carbon footprint, we are working with fleet operators on testing electrical vehicles for our service teams. “So from cost efficiencies and safety, to ease of installation and sustainable credentials, it is clear to see why the construction industry is choosing to use more GPR prefabricated products to keep projects moving – and we believe this trend will continue to grow as more companies realise the many benefits off-site manufactured GRP products can offer.” Further information about Stormking and its GRP product offering can be found at www.stormking.co.uk or email your enquiry to sales@stormking.co.uk or call 01827 311 100 to discuss your next project.
The rising demand for homes with more space has led to a surge in house prices in London’s outer boroughs, according to Bellway London. The developer says buyers are increasingly choosing locations on the edge of the capital over traditional property hotspots closer to Central London following the pandemic. A greater desire to have access to open space and the rise in homeworking are among the main factors which have resulted in property seekers gravitating towards London’s outer fringes. Two of Bellway London’s most popular sites over recent months are situated in the outer boroughs of Havering and Bromley, which have both experienced average house price growth of five per cent or more over the past 12 months. By contrast, more central boroughs such as Southwark, Camden, Islington and Hackney all saw prices decline. Emma Hamlett, Sales Director for Bellway London, said: “One of the narratives to have emerged from the pandemic is that of homeowners deserting London and other big cities in favour of a peaceful life in the country. “In reality, the picture is slightly more complex than that. While the shift towards flexible working has given more people the freedom to choose locations further away from their place of work, this hasn’t translated into a mass exodus from the capital. “One trend we have noticed over the past year or so is that buyers are increasingly opting for London’s outer boroughs to get on the property ladder and put down roots. These locations typically offer more space, a more relaxed way of life and greater sense of community than neighbourhoods closer to the centre. “And because they are served by London’s public transport network, they generally make for a cheaper and more convenient commute than more rural towns and villages within the traditional commuter belt. “Our St George’s Park development in Hornchurch, in the borough of Havering, is a prime example of this trend. Unlike most new-build developments in more central locations, St George’s Park features a wide mix of two to five-bedroom houses, which all offer gardens, which are proving particularly popular with families, while also benefiting from apartments with balconies. The site also benefits from being close to open spaces such as Hornchurch Country Park and is only a mile from Hornchurch Underground station. “We are currently selling between two and three homes a week at our Maybrey Works development in Sydenham, in the borough of Bromley. This development is attracting first-time buyers who want to be close to Central London but without being right in the heart of the city. Maybrey Works is situated just a two-minute walk from Lower Sydenham station which has direct trains to Charing Cross and London Bridge in around 25 minutes.” According to the Rightmove House Price Index for November, Bromley was the London borough with the highest house price growth over the past year, with an average increase of 6.5 per cent. Havering saw the fifth highest increase, with a rise of 5.0 per cent, while prices in Wandsworth grew by 2.3 per cent, placing it 19th out of the 32 London boroughs. A report by property experts Savills has forecast that prices in prime outer London, which includes areas such as Battersea, Wandsworth, Clapham and Hampstead, will rise four per cent next year and 13.7 per cent by 2026. For more information about Bellway London’s developments in Hornchurch, Sydenham and Nine Elms, visit https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk/.
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, highlights ten issues that will affect construction supply chains in 2022. 1. The Building Safety Bill The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is set to change how certain buildings are constructed, maintained and made safe. It will include regulatory reforms on fire safety and quality of construction products and will introduce a developer levy. Virtually everyone involved in the design, construction and management of higher-risk buildings will be affected. It is expected that the Bill will receive Royal Assent between April and June 2022 with the provisions coming into force in stages. The HSE will oversee the new building safety regime and is already urging affected parties such as designers to prepare. For more information, subscribe to the HSE’s free BSR eBulletin here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHSE/signup/15087 2. New framework for Environmental protection The Environment Bill became the Environment Act 2021 when it received Royal Assent on 9th November 2021, introducing a post-Brexit framework for environmental governance, primarily in England. The Act paves the way for further laws and guidelines such as legally binding targets around air pollution, biodiversity, water quality and waste which will be defined in due course. Businesses of all sizes can prepare by reviewing how they currently monitor and manage environmental processes and ensuring environmental management remains high on their agenda. 3. Net Zero targets From 1st October 2021, it became mandatory for all companies bidding for government contracts worth more than five million pounds a year to commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Under the new rules, set out in Public Policy Note 06/21, in-scope organisations need to produce a carbon reduction plan detailing where their emissions come from and what environmental management measures they have in place. While some large companies already self-report Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect owned) carbon emissions under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations, the new targets require them to go further. This includes committing to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and reporting Scope 3 emissions such as business travel, employee commuting, transportation, distribution and waste. The requirements currently only apply to government contracts, but they could become an advisory part of the Common Assessment Standard in 2022. 4. Focus on Diversity & Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion is an issue steadily rising up the supply chain agenda, with construction clients increasingly looking for evidence that contractors are proactive in this area. A progressive Diversity & Inclusion strategy will look to create a positive workplace environment where everyone feels valued and people are treated as individuals according to their needs. This may, for example, include making reasonable workplace adjustments to accommodate those with disabilities or those that have different work/life commitments. To help companies improve their approach to Diversity & Inclusion, The Supply Chain Sustainability School offers a free Fairness, Inclusion & Respect toolkit which can be accessed here:https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/topics/fir/ 5. The standardisation of Social Value The concept of social value has been around for a while but it is set to become more defined in 2022. Within construction, social value usually covers how a build can add value in terms of its wider social, economic, and environmental benefits, but there is growing demand for more consistent measurement of social value. The Social Value Portal’s National Social Value Measurement Framework – also known as the National TOMS – provides a consistent method of reporting and measuring social value. Construction companies can find out more about how they can implement it in their business practices here: socialvalueportal.com/national-toms/ 6. The increase in digitalisation Digitalisation has been a slow burner for the construction industry, but according to McKinsey , Covid-19 was a turning point with 50% of companies surveyed saying they have increased investment in digital transformation to meet the demands of the next normal. Central to the construction industry’s digital transformation is Building Information Modelling (BIM), which offers digital modelling for all components of the construction process from tools, people and materials to mapping work areas, reducing defects and identifying health and safety hotspots. The ability to move the planning of build projects online allows a more collaborative way of working with stakeholders having access to data and documents from anywhere and at any time. Guidance on implementing BIM, designed to help construction businesses on their journey to digital transformation, is available from the UK BIM Framework and is updated quarterly. 7. The skills shortage Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a record leap in job vacancies, estimated to be 1.2 million in September 2021 across all industries. The skills shortage has been a growing concern within construction due to workers reaching retirement age and not enough people entering the industry to replace them. Furthermore, the industry has seen a 42% decline in EU workers. The skills shortage makes it even more critical that efforts to diversify the industry and attract a wider range of people to construction roles pay off. It also reinforces the importance of looking after existing staff and contractors. In recent months CHAS has seen record use of the CHAS Jobs Board, a free resource that allows construction clients to quickly and easily find local accredited contractors. Find out more here: www.chas.co.uk/blog/jobs-board-now-live/ 8. Materials shortages The Department for Business and Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Monthly Statistic of Building and Components consistently showed month-on-month price rises throughout 2021. The Construction Leadership Council reported improvements in product supply in some areas, and the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) are now receiving record-breaking timber imports; however, supplies are still likely to be under strain in 2022. A shortage of HGV drivers to deliver materials remains an issue, with take-up low for the government’s 10,500 visas for overseas lorry drivers. An FMB survey shows jobs are still being delayed as a result. 9. COVID-19 Covid-19 is still circulating with outbreaks and the impact of new variants difficult to predict. Businesses will therefore need to remain COVID-secure and continue to manage the risks of the virus in 2022.
Other key challenges include getting hold of materials and struggling to recruit staff A fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year than 2021 for their companies Almost one in five (19%) electrical companies are looking to hire new staff in 2022 The rising cost of materials will be the most significant challenge facing UK electricians in 2022, according to a new report assessing the confidence of the industry. The study, conducted by ElectricalDirect, specialist retailer of electrical products, surveyed electricians about their views on the year ahead and found that, while some are quietly optimistic, they are well aware of the upcoming difficulties. Overall, a fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year for their companies than 2021, and one in seven (14%) believe the industry will grow stronger over the coming months. In fact, almost one in five (19%) electrical workers believe their company will have fully recovered from the pandemic by this time next year, and the same number (19%) are looking to expand and hire new staff. Furthermore, more than one in six (18%) electricians think they’ll be in a stronger financial position in 2022, with more work (18%) and better job security (21%). However, some electricians are naturally more cautious about the next 12 months. Almost a quarter (22%) think their company will find business tough in 2022 and one in seven (14%) think the industry will struggle. All the respondents acknowledged that there will inevitably be challenges, and the rising cost of materials is the number one concern (23%). Simply getting hold of materials is also a worry (22%), as is the ability to recruit people to fill job vacancies (22%). Interestingly, the main challenges vary slightly by generation. Recruitment (24%) is the biggest cause of apprehension amongst millennials (25-34s), while for 35–44-year-olds, the rising cost of materials (22%) tops the list. For 45-54s, getting hold of tools and equipment (24%) is the major stressor. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult couple of years for both the country and the electrical industry, and while there is still a long way to go before a full recovery can be expected, it’s encouraging to see that some electricians are feeling positive as we approach 2022. “However, it’s clear that for many, the next 12 months will involve challenges of all shapes and sizes, and we hope that electricians are able to ride out the storm until the landscape finally stabilises.” For more information about the report, including data breakdowns by age, gender and region, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/blog/a-bright-future
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3,450sqm, four-storey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65-year history. Constructed offsite, this large-scale building will allow the Trust to free up space within the main hospital to help reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience for urgent care services. As main contractor, Premier will be leading the project team which includes delivery partner Claritas, P+HS Architects, and M&E specialists, TClarke. Awarded under the Crown Commercial Service modular buildings framework, the project follows the team’s successful delivery of a £10m contract for the offsite construction of a 62-bed Priority Assessment Unit at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey. The new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital will provide 48 purpose-designed consultation rooms and eight procedure rooms for a range of services, including dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory, neurosciences, pain management, and urology as well as other aspects of surgery and therapies. Dan Allison, Divisional Director at Premier Modular, said, “The use of an offsite solution for this project will ensure faster delivery and earlier occupation, to the benefit of patient care.” “Offsite construction is safer, quieter and cleaner than in-situ construction, which will radically reduce disruption during the build phase to staff and patients, and the surrounding residential community. This type of building solution is also enormously beneficial on restricted hospital sites such as this, reducing the amount of plant, materials, and vehicle movements to site by undertaking as much work in the factory as we can. The new building has access roads to three sides and is immediately adjacent to the Normanby Building.” “We are working to a short programme to bring these state-of-the art facilities into use as early as possible this year, to the benefit of patients and to assist with the rising demand for hospital services.” Stephen Hatcher, Associate at P+HS Architects, said, “The building is designed to minimise impact on the environment over its life and is targeting a BREEAM excellent rating. It will have areas of green roof to encourage biodiversity, a highly insulated building fabric to reduce heat loss and running costs, energy-efficient ventilation and electric air source heat pump system for heating, and solar panels for electricity generation.” The façade design will be contemporary and was informed by the existing buildings on the hospital campus.A double-height feature entrance will provide visibility externally and allow high levels of natural light for the reception and waiting area. Developed in collaboration with clinicians and patient representatives, the interior design will be crisp and modern, whilst assisting patients with sensory needs. To maintain patient flows, the new facility will be linked to the Normanby Building at ground floor level. Premier Modular is providing a full turnkey construction package for this project including engagement with the clinical team at the design stages, development of a highly sustainable M&E strategy, demolition of an existing building on the site, groundworks, offsite manufacture, module installation, and fitting out. For further information, visit www.premiermodular.co.uk, call 0800 316 0888 or email info@premiermodular.co.uk.