NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) welcomes a landmark government announcement that will prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and deliver sweeping reforms to payment legislation. The announcement represents the most significant overhaul of the UK’s payment regime in over 25 years and will help to address the cash flow crisis that has long crippled NFRC members and other specialist contractors across the construction industry.   NFRC Group CEO James Talman said, “This outcome is one our industry has been campaigning for years to achieve. “  “For too long, specialist contractors have been forced to operate under a system that allowed larger firms to withhold their money, delay payment, and use their cash as free working capital.   “Today, the Government has shown that it has listened, and we could not be more pleased.”  The measures will be subject to a two-year implementation period, and dependent on the parliamentary timetable. This gives industry time to prepare, while providing a clear and firm direction of travel. NFRC will work with our Members and government during this transition period to ensure the incoming legislation is appropriate and effective. We will also continue to advocate on behalf of Members who are exploited by the current laws, which are now conclusively recognised to be unfair.   YEARS OF WORK, FINALLY REWARDED  NFRC has been advocating for reform of payment practices and the abolition of retentions for nearly a decade. In 2021, NFRC estimated that £300 million of roofing and cladding subcontractors’ cash was held in retention at any one time. In 2023, 86% of NFRC Members reported difficulties recovering retention payments on local authority contracts. And in 2025, 80% of contractor Members said retentions were still affecting their business. NFRC has taken every opportunity possible to advertise these facts and advocate for reform.   “Our Members are passionate about this issue, not just because it affects their bottom line, but because it affects their people, their livelihoods, and their ability to grow and deliver for the UK,” said Talman.   “The hours our team and our Members have put into this consultation speak for themselves.”   The UK has a critical need for housebuilding, retrofit, clean energy infrastructure, and public sector construction. None of these issues will be adequately tackled if the specialist contractors at the coal face are being strangled by cash flow problems.  CREDIT WHERE DUE  NFRC wishes to acknowledge the Department for Business and Trade for bringing these proposals forward with seriousness and urgency. The consultation process was well-designed, accessible, and genuinely engaged with industry. The government has listened to the evidence industry presented and acted on it.  “We are grateful to the Department for Business and Trade for the rigour and openness they have brought to this process,” said Talman.   “Good consultation deserves recognition, and today’s announcement is evidence of what happens when industry engages and government listens.   “We also want to acknowledge the many industry partners, trade bodies, and our own Members who contributed to this collective effort. Special thanks to the CLC taskforce on this important topic headed by Steve Bratt.”   The government has confirmed it will proceed with many of the measures proposed in the consultation, including:  – Removing the ability to contract out of the statutory charge of 8% interest on late payment.     – Boards or audit committees of persistently late-paying large companies will be required to publish explanations for poor payment performance and the actions they are taking to address it.   – Banning retention clauses.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Roughly a third of all workplace fatalities in the construction industry stem from falls, with scaffolding-related incidents accounting for a substantial portion. Beyond the human cost, these accidents trigger insurance claims that can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds, often resulting in premium increases that burden businesses for years. Proper safety protocols are more just regulatory compliance — they’re financial protection. The Financial Impact of Scaffolding Failures When scaffolding collapses or workers fall from temporary structures, the immediate costs include emergency response, medical treatment, and work stoppage. However, the long-term financial implications extend far beyond initial expenses. Major incidents typically affect insurance premiums substantially. Industry data suggests that serious claims often lead to premium increases ranging from 30% to 50%, though the exact impact depends on factors including claims history, company size, and specific insurer policies.  For small to medium-sized construction firms operating on tight margins, such increases can create serious cash flow challenges. While specialist construction insurers understand these risks, businesses across sectors — from those working with Westminster Insurance on professional liability cover to dedicated construction underwriters — face similar scrutiny of their safety procedures during policy renewals.  Pre-Installation Verification Requirements Before any scaffolding goes up, specific checks must occur to prevent structural failures. Ground conditions require assessment by a competent person, with particular attention to load-bearing capacity and drainage patterns that might compromise stability over time. Underground services must be located and marked, as striking gas or electrical lines during foundation installation creates liability exposure beyond standard construction risks. The scaffolding design itself needs formal documentation for certain configurations. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, scaffolds must be designed by a competent person where their complexity, height, loading, or configuration exceeds what can be safely erected using recognised standard configurations (such as those in TG20:13 guidance). These documents serve dual purposes: they guide safe erection and provide evidence of due diligence should incidents occur. Daily and Weekly Inspection Protocols Regular inspections form the backbone of claim prevention. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 mandate inspections at specific intervals: These inspections require documentation in an inspection register, recording the date, inspector’s name, identified issues, and corrective actions taken. Inadequate or missing records create significant difficulties when defending claims. Critical Component Checks Certain scaffolding elements demand particular attention during inspections because their failure typically results in the most serious incidents. Base plates and sole boards distribute loads to the ground and must remain level, fully engaged, and free from settlement. Standards (vertical tubes) require checking for plumbness, damage, and proper splicing where joints occur. Ledgers and transoms connecting standards need secure fitting with all clips properly tightened. Platforms must be fully boarded according to the scaffold system’s specifications, properly supported, and equipped with appropriate edge protection at any location where falls exceed 2m. For standard scaffold boards in typical configurations, 150mm overhang (4x thickness for 38mm boards) and supports should be placed at intervals appropriate to the board rating, commonly around 1.5m, though specific systems may vary. Tie patterns securing scaffolding to structures deserve particular scrutiny. These connections prevent toppling and must be installed according to design specifications. Inadequate or damaged ties are one of the most common factors in scaffolding collapse claims. Weather-Related Precautions British weather patterns create specific risks for temporary structures. Wind loading affects scaffolds differently based on height, sheeting coverage, and tie strength. Many manufacturers and guidance documents recommend ceasing work when wind speeds approach or exceed 23 mph, though specific thresholds depend on scaffold configuration, sheeting levels, and loading conditions. Training and Competency Documentation Claims investigations commonly examine whether workers held appropriate cards and whether refresher training was current at the time of the incidents. Companies should maintain training matrices showing qualification dates, renewal schedules, and specific competencies for each scaffolder and supervisor. This documentation demonstrates a systematic approach to competency management and supports the defence position when incidents do occur. Record Keeping That Protects Your Position Detailed records play a valuable role in managing insurance claims effectively. Photograph scaffolds at key stages: foundation preparation, after erection, during use, and post-incident if problems arise. Inspection registers should contain specific observations rather than generic statements. When claims arise months or years after incidents, detailed contemporaneous records carry considerably more weight than reconstructed accounts. The investment in rigorous safety protocols and documentation typically represents good value when measured against the costs associated with serious claims.

Chase New Homes is appealing to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for support to progress the delivery of new homes at the former PB Donoghue site in Cricklewood, London. The company is ready to build but is awaiting a resolution to planning matters with Barnet Council that are preventing the scheme from moving forward. Under planning permission 22/5238/RMA, Block B of the development is designated for 38 affordable homes. Despite an extensive marketing campaign and contact with more than 30 registered providers, no housing association has come forward to take on the units. The only offer, from neighbouring Brent Council, was not accepted due to conflicts with the Section 106 Agreement. A payment-in-lieu agreement was eventually reached with Barnet Council on 26 August 2025. However, further clarification and communication are required to satisfy Section 106 obligations, which must be resolved before private units can be completed. Gary Barton, Managing Director of Chase New Homes, said: “We have taken every proactive step to deliver this development, yet Barnet Council’s constant inaction and procrastination stance is stalling progress at a time when London and the UK in general, desperately needs new homes. “Government has been clear about removing blockers and cutting through the unnecessary delays that Council’s continuingly find themselves in and speeding up housing delivery, but in this case, the Local Authority is the sole blocker. We urgently need MHCLG’s support to unlock this site to ensure that the delivery of these homes are not delayed any further.” Chase New Homes notes that the challenges at Cricklewood reflect wider trends across London and the UK, with some registered providers showing less interest in taking on affordable housing units. Payment-in-lieu agreements, which allow councils to pool funds for affordable housing delivery elsewhere, provide a practical solution, particularly where councils already manage housing stock. Barton added: “We are ready to build — but we need decisions and positive actions to be made by Councils to unlock growth and to get Britain building again at the level that is required to hit the targets the Government has set itself.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A housebuilder has been fined £800,000 after a teen apprentice was injured when a temporary stairwell covering collapsed. Charlie Marsh, 17, had been working as a contractor on a Taylor Wimpey UK Limited site as it built around 450 new homes on its Meadfields site in Weston-Super-Mare. The apprentice bricklayer, from Whitchurch in Bristol, was less than 12 months into his career when the incident happened. An investigator for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the teen was lucky to escape serious injury. On 22 August 2023 Charlie had been loading concrete blocks onto the temporary flooring on the first floor of one of the newly built homes. The blocks were being loaded into stacks of between 10 and 20, one of which was on or near to a temporary stairwell covering. This was a large area covered with a timber sheet material laid over joists – both of which would be later removed to install the staircase. However, the area collapsed, causing Charlie and around 20kg of the concrete blocks to fall more than two metres to the ground below. He sustained injuries to his fingers, hand, wrist and shoulder. The subsequent HSE investigation found that the joists under the timber sheet material should have been back propped. This was mentioned a number of times in Taylor Wimpey’s own health and safety manual for the site, however, it had been missed on this particular plot. Had suitably designed back propping been used, it is unlikely the incident would have occurred. Taylor Wimpey UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £800,000 and ordered to pay £6,240.25 costs with a £2000 victim surcharge at the North Somerset Magistrates’ Court on 3 June 2025. HSE inspector Derek Mclauchlan said “Everyone working in construction has a responsibility to ensure people are safe. “Any work involving structural stability is potentially high risk and proper planning and implementation should be given. “This incident could have been avoided had the right steps been taken. “The failures of Taylor Wimpey resulted in a young man at the very beginning of his career being injured. Charlie was lucky those injuries were not far more serious. “Lessons should be learned.” This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Samantha Tiger and Paralegal Officer Rebecca Withell. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Lawyers are urgently warning that the ‘clock may run out’ before an international claim is successfully served, as severe backlogs at the UK’s Foreign Process Section (FPS) continue to impact those in the construction industry dealing with overseas clients. The FPS, which handles the service of claims abroad in compliance with the Hague Convention, is grappling with processing times that could take several months. Businesses in the construction industry hoping to serve documents abroad could run the risk of not successfully serving a claim within the Civil Procedure Rules’ (CPR) six-month deadline, potentially prejudicing their position. Sneha Nainwal, partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, who specialises in cross-border disputes, said: “The FPS handles a range of international disputes, with commercial claims being the most common. “Typical cases involve a UK-based claimant seeking to recover contractual debts or damages from foreign defendants. “These cross-border claims, regardless of industry, are increasingly subject to delays due to the FPS backlog.” The FPS plays a pivotal role in the initial stages of litigation involving the service of documents overseas. When a claimant issues proceedings in the UK and the defendant resides abroad, the FPS ensures legal documents are served accurately and in compliance with international protocols. This crucial function is central to the ‘international service of claim’ phase – a vital step that sets the stage for the progression of the case towards resolution or settlement. By facilitating this process, the FPS supports the efficient administration of justice across borders. The current backlog stems from the residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to global lockdowns and restrictions, the FPS was temporarily suspended, leading to an accumulation of claims waiting to be processed. This delay has compounded over time, with a growing volume of claims requiring international service. Sneha said: “The most pressing risk for businesses issuing a claim is the expiration of the six-month period for serving the claim form. Failure to serve within this timeframe could result in the claim being deemed invalid or struck out. “The best way to mitigate this risk is for claimants to act proactively by ensuring their application to the FPS for serving documents abroad is watertight. “The FPS enforces strict procedural rules, and any oversight or misstep could result in the rejection of the application, forcing the claimant to restart the process and face further delays in an already backlogged system. “To avoid this, ensure all documents are in perfect order and apply promptly for an extension if you anticipate difficulty serving within the six-month deadline. “Don’t leave things to the last minute. For the best chance of success and to avoid unnecessary complications, seek professional advice.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals