Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s biggest event for the built environment, have sent their congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on last night’s General Election victory – along with an open invitation to this autumn’s show. UKCW Birmingham (NEC, 1-3 October) has invited the new Prime Minister to
As the use of lithium-ion batteries on construction sites increases, so does the need for effective fire safety measures to handle the unique challenges they present. Here, Daniel Robins, projects director at CheckFire, explores the increasing risk of lithium-ion battery fires and the appropriate safety measures construction managers need to
A comprehensive new, free online centre of building safety information has launched this month to help promote increased awareness of fire and life safety issues in the planning, commissioning, design, construction, surveying, maintenance, and management of buildings in the UK. The Building Safety Wiki offers regular news updates, guidance, factual
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) was delighted to attend and host a stand at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) on the 20-22nd May. While the event provided an opportunity to engage with a diverse group of attendees, it also revealed continued gaps in knowledge about sprinkler
Green or Living Walls are becoming a familiar feature of the built environment. Often incorporated as components of newer and more sustainable construction projects, they provide a visible statement of green intent and benefit city biodiversity, air purity, thermal environment, and noise abatement, and are of proven benefit to wellbeing
Nearly 400 have their say on how to improve construction quality A recent construction industry-wide survey seeking views on the issue of Contractor Design Portions (CDP) has been flooded with responses reflecting how important it is as a topic across the sector. The survey, issued by the Construction Quality Improvement
Warringtonfire’s upcoming laboratory at Birchwood Park has been recognised with a Considerate Constructors Bronze Award in partnership with main contractor Tilbury Douglas. Issued by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the award recognises the efforts of construction sites, organisations, and suppliers who commit to raising both environmental and community social value standards.
Sika, a leading provider of high-quality roofing solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest Continuing Professional Development (CPD), “Fire Safety in Buildings – Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs.” In today’s built environment, the ever-increasing focus on fire safety in buildings has become a critical concern
The Fire Standards Board (FSB) has announced the launch of the seventeenth professional Fire Standard; Internal Governance and Assurance. The Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard focuses on ensuring that fire and rescue services have internal governance structures and business planning processes which enable senior leaders to maintain comprehensive oversight of
The Association for Project Safety has launched its Micro Manifesto ahead of the UK General Election setting out priorities. It regards these as critical for the built environment not only to raise badly needed awareness of important issues, but to reset the construction industry’s safety relationship with government. APS wants to
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s biggest event for the built environment, have sent their congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on last night’s General Election victory – along with an open invitation to this autumn’s show. UKCW Birmingham (NEC, 1-3 October) has invited the new Prime Minister to not only speak at the three-day event, but hear first-hand from industry leaders on the issues they are currently facing, and how the new Labour government can best support a sector that employs over 1.5 million people and contributes more than £130 billion to the UK economy. At UKCW Birmingham, Sir Keir will have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of professionals from the industry, including architects, contractors, designers, planners, surveyors, and key national house builders, including Berkeley Group, Barratt Developments, Persimmon Homes and Bellway. Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “We would like to congratulate Sir Keir and his party on last night’s victory, and would like to extend an invitation for him and his new Cabinet to come to the NEC in October and hear how they can help our sector over the next five years and beyond. “The theme for UKCW Birmingham 2024 is ‘Growth’, and we hope the new Labour government will quickly set to work on delivering on its manifesto promises on homebuilding, fast track approvals of urban brownfield sites and updating the National Policy Planning Framework.” With its reputation for networking and knowledge sharing, organisers of UKCW Birmingham asked its 2024 Role Models nominees what they would do if they became prime minister. Insightful responses included: Paula McMahon – Honorary Professor of Teesside University (Icon nominee) Kevin Pratt – Director, Purehaus (Pioneer nominee) Rekiya Shodunke, Apprentice Technical Coordinator, Berkeley Group (Rising Star nominee) UKCW Birmingham’s own election wishlist addresses three core topics – mental health, skills and planning: Opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter George Clarke, UKCW Birmingham attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the globe, and will showcase a host of international exhibitors from the likes of Turkey, China and India. The multi award-winning show will feature over 200 exhibitors. 300-plus seminars, CPD sessions and workshops, and over 300 thought leaders and keynote speakers. To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the use of lithium-ion batteries on construction sites increases, so does the need for effective fire safety measures to handle the unique challenges they present. Here, Daniel Robins, projects director at CheckFire, explores the increasing risk of lithium-ion battery fires and the appropriate safety measures construction managers need to take to ensure property and lives are protected. With the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries in modern devices, the risk of fire incidents has become a pressing concern. This type of battery can power everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles, and industrial equipment – including that found on construction sites, where rechargeable electric devices are commonly used and stored.In the UK, fire services responded to 46% more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2023 compared to 2022. This surge underscores the urgency for construction sites to be adequately prepared to address these fires. As set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), all responsible person(s) have a legal duty to provide and maintain satisfactory fire precautions – including the consideration of lithium-ion batteries in all fire risk assessments. Lithium-ion battery fires are typically caused by thermal runaway and catastrophic battery failure. Overcharging, overheating, physical damage, or internal malfunctions can all trigger these dangerous events. Once a battery ignites, the fire rapidly propagates across all the cells and results in explosion, causing significant property damage and posing serious risks to lives. To mitigate these risks, construction managers must implement robust fire safety protocols tailored to the unique nature of lithium-ion battery fires. Implementing fire safety measures First and foremost, staying up-to-date with the latest safety standards and regulations is essential. Construction managers should engage with fire safety experts to continually refine their protocols and ensure compliance with legal requirements. This proactive approach can help prevent incidents and minimise the impact of any fires that do occur. There are an endless number of fire risks that could present on construction sites depending on what and where the project is. Regulation 29 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) states: Suitable and sufficient steps must be taken to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of injury to a person during the carrying out of construction work arising from – (a) fire or explosion; (b) flooding; or (c) any substance liable to cause asphyxiation. This requires the principal contractor to set reasonable safety measures to avoid the harm of those working onsite. For example, flammable materials should not be stored near an ignition source, appropriate fire extinguishers must be clearly visible and accessible, and high-risk tasks should be performed by a qualified person. Each class of fire has to be tackled by a fire extinguisher specifically designed to address its unique causes and characteristics. Alongside putting out the flames, a lithium-ion battery fire extinguisher should be endothermic, drawing out the heat from the battery in order to halt thermal runaway in its infancy, preventing other cells from heating and exploding. This type of fire extinguisher should also boast high Class A ratings to help protect from any secondary fires that could be caused by the exploding battery. Collaborating with local fire services Finally, working closely with local fire services is crucial, as they can provide valuable insights and assistance in developing effective fire safety strategies. Regular consultations and drills can help ensure construction teams are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of a fire. And – as with any other setting – users of the area must all be made aware of plans and tasks should a fire break out. Everyone should be clear on escape routes, fire exits and assembly points. Emergency signage is crucial in helping people off the site and directing them to safety, and site workers should be aware of the location of fire extinguishers to aid their escape. The increasing use of lithium-ion batteries on construction sites necessitates a proactive and informed approach to fire safety. By adhering to current safety standards, implementing specialised lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers, and collaborating with local fire services, construction organisations can protect both property and lives from the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery fires. Recognising the fire industry’s need for specialist lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers. CheckFire, a leading specialist in fire safety solutions, launched its LFX range as part of its ‘The Green Range’ in 2024. These revolutionary fire extinguishers get to work instantly, removing a large amount of excessive heat, rapidly reducing the temperature, and cocooning the fuel of a lithium-ion battery fire in its infancy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A comprehensive new, free online centre of building safety information has launched this month to help promote increased awareness of fire and life safety issues in the planning, commissioning, design, construction, surveying, maintenance, and management of buildings in the UK. The Building Safety Wiki offers regular news updates, guidance, factual articles and expert insights on fire and building safety from a wide range of authoritative sources, all in one place. Published in advance of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report and recommendations, the Wiki aims to help share vital knowledge and information regarding the new building safety regime in the UK, including the Building Safety Act 2022 and related fire safety legislation in all parts of the UK. Much of the content is drawn from existing articles in the long-established Designing Buildings Wiki which already has more than 7 million users a year, 20,000 registered users and nearly 300 articles covering building safety topics. That content, built up over more than 10 years, will be updated and added to on an ongoing basis. Users can easily find relevant information for their projects or disciplines by using the Wiki’s search bar or quick links. Anyone can also contribute their knowledge and expertise to the Wiki, free of charge, adding or editing articles to fill any important information gaps. The Building Safety Wiki is sponsored by LMC (Liz Male Consulting Ltd) and Enframe Consulting. LMC is a public relations and communications consultancy that works with UK and international innovators, change-makers and thought leaders in property, construction and the built environment. Liz Male, founding director of LMC, said: “The new building safety regime affects all aspects of construction and the built environment, setting new standards, policies and processes to restore confidence in building safety. Yet in our conversations with professionals across the industry, we often find big gaps in knowledge, confusion about the new rules, or just assumptions that ‘this doesn’t apply to me’. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report in September will shock the world yet again with its findings, so each of us needs to play our part in ensuring such a tragedy never happens again.” Enframe specialises in construction and design consultancy for architects, providing expert technical guidance on the Building Safety Act. Will Freeman, director of Enframe Consulting, said: “This Building Safety Wiki is a significant step forward in creating a centralised hub for essential building safety information. Our mission is to provide a platform where knowledge is shared freely, contributing to safer building practices and ultimately saving lives. All architects, engineers, contractors and clients should have the knowledge they need to ensure compliance and enhance safety standards across the industry. I hope other fire and building industry experts will also come forward to keep adding vital information into this Wiki, and generations of students and industry professionals will benefit from the facts they learn here.” Visit the Building Safety Wiki today at: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/Building_Safety_wiki Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) was delighted to attend and host a stand at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) on the 20-22nd May. While the event provided an opportunity to engage with a diverse group of attendees, it also revealed continued gaps in knowledge about sprinkler systems among real estate professionals. The conference held at the Royal Armouries Leeds & Leeds Dock featured expert panels discussing sustainable and transformational investment in the built environment. Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, was one of over 12,000 built environment professionals attending and lent his insight into the discussions, stressing the importance of business resilience and safeguarding commercial premises from the outset. The forum featured a series of sessions on a range of topics including the Building Safety Act, with Dame Judith Hackitt as a panellist in one. It was evident that significant effort and interest is still being directed towards remediation work. It was interesting to note the role that sprinklers were viewed as a tool to mitigate risk. Like so much of the changing regulatory environment there were repeated concerns raised by developers about the lack of clarity in the new regulatory regime. The obvious outcome being delays in programme approvals with consequent deadline and project financing cost. A surprising element was the undercurrent of struggles with true collaboration among stakeholders. The wrapper to this appeared to be the sharing of knowledge and the need to foster and grow trust between all parties; developers, consultants, financiers, lawyers and insurers. On that topic one of the most surprising findings was the number of visitors to the stand across these stakeholder groups who admitted to discussing or making decisions about sprinklers without truly comprehending their benefits or how they operate. “We have known for a while that the knowledge gap surrounding sprinklers existed. What was surprising was that this gap persisted with those who actively claimed to be involved in decisions about their provision,” said Tom Roche. “It’s concerning that such critical safety measures are being debated without a fundamental understanding of their capabilities and effectiveness.” The BSA also noted a lack of awareness regarding the provision of sprinklers under regulatory guidance. Many attendees naturally expected the hotels they stayed in and even the large exhibition spaces would be provided with sprinklers. They expressed shock upon learning that they often lack sprinkler systems, despite the number of people within them. Another strong stream within the forum was on sustainability. A lot of focus and attention was focused towards schemes that measure the sustainability of projects. It sounded like a new form of accounting where all elements of carbon involved in the construction, operation and decommissioning of a project were weighed and measured. Given the need to address the sustainability challenge it was striking to see this attention and the number of people with a passion for this subject. The case for the re-use of buildings and materials was very strong. What was striking to the BSA was again that that “shock” events like fire and damage to projects were not part of the thinking. Unfortunately, the potential for damage from a fire during the 50 year life of a building was not something that could be found in these programmes. One wonders if we are missing an opportunity or whether the “accounting” has a gap. On this note another element that came as a surprise was the discussion on compartmentalising large warehouses to avoid sprinkler requirements. According to consultants at the forum, some clients are still pursuing this approach to avoid installing sprinklers in new warehouses, despite the obvious fire risks associated with such massive buildings. “After the recent large fire in Cannock, it was troubling to learn that some developers may be actively seeking ways to engineer out sprinklers,” added Tom Roche. “The scale of these buildings means that they are outside the scope of regulatory guidance and need real fire engineering solutions to ensure they are truly sustainable and do not endanger lives but also preserve valuable assets and investments at risk.” Despite these concerning findings, the three-day event provided an opportunity for the BSA to educate attendees on the multitude of benefits sprinklers provide for life safety, asset protection and environmental protection, and address misconceptions. By exposing the gaps in regulatory guidance and highlighting the consequences of neglecting fire safety measures, the BSA hopes to inspire a more informed and responsible approach to sprinkler installation across UK business buildings. For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green or Living Walls are becoming a familiar feature of the built environment. Often incorporated as components of newer and more sustainable construction projects, they provide a visible statement of green intent and benefit city biodiversity, air purity, thermal environment, and noise abatement, and are of proven benefit to wellbeing and mental health. Credible as these facets are, there remains a need to consider the implications that the provision of Living Walls may have for the resilience of the building, and the continuity of business or provision of services that are provided from it. Many Living Walls are of a scale and location that presents no additional risk to the scenario that would warrant further consideration, but others, applied at larger scale to a building, might have the potential to exert great influence on the safety and insurability of a building – and others around it – if not properly designed and maintained. Green and Living Walls as External Cladding: A Joint Guide to Managing Risk has been produced collaboratively between key Living Wall (LW) providers and UK insurers via the FPA’s RISCAuthority research scheme to address the potential risks from fire, escape of water (EoW), and weather events that these systems may present if incorrectly designed or managed. With endorsement from the FPA, RISCAuthority, Vertical Meadow, Viritopia, ABI, Biotecture, Growing Revolution, and Scotscape, the document is arranged in two key parts: The guide provides a comprehensive review of the core principles of risk control for Living Walls, outlining the documentation, materials, design and maintenance of Living Walls systems, as well as providing an in-depth questionnaire that allows the opportunity for the specifier, façade designer, or architect to describe the proposed Living Wall system to any authority having jurisdiction. Commenting on the release of the joint guide, Professor Jim Glockling, consultant and former RISCAuthority Director who contributed significantly to its authorship said, “This new risk management document, produced with exceptional collaboration between all stakeholders, sets out an agreed suite of core control principles, provides a framework for information exchange with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), and establishes methods of control so that the design may be tailored to meet the needs of all. With some solution parameters currently unverified, the document is as much a call for further research and testing as it is a guidance document.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly 400 have their say on how to improve construction quality A recent construction industry-wide survey seeking views on the issue of Contractor Design Portions (CDP) has been flooded with responses reflecting how important it is as a topic across the sector. The survey, issued by the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) which was established in early 2023 to further embed and promote a quality culture across Scotland’s construction sector, sought the views on what needs to change to improve the CDP process. In total there were 380 respondents from a wide spread of organisation types and sizes covering a variety of professions and occupations from across the construction sector. Over the last 25-30 years there has been an increasing tendency to use CDP for construction projects where a range of specialist sub-contractors are required to contribute towards the overall design and construction of major buildings. However, many believe the CDP system is being used inappropriately and too late in the process. The top line results from the survey show: Colin Campbell, Associate Director at the Scottish Futures Trust, who co-chairs and provides the secretariat for the CQIC work, said: “This has been a phenomenal response to the survey, showing just how passionately industry feels about the issue. We will now begin sifting through all the submissions with a focus to engage further with industry later this year, with the aim to produce best practice guidance for the sector to follow.” Iain Kent, Commercial Director of Morgan Sindall Construction and co-chair of the CQIC, which is the Quality Working Group within the Construction Leadership Forum’s Transformation Action Plan, noted: “The use of CDP has grown over the years and it can have an impact on the quality of the design and construction. Whilst there is undoubtedly a need for CDP in specialist areas of construction, the level of response to this survey shows change is needed that will benefit the whole of the construction industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Warringtonfire’s upcoming laboratory at Birchwood Park has been recognised with a Considerate Constructors Bronze Award in partnership with main contractor Tilbury Douglas. Issued by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the award recognises the efforts of construction sites, organisations, and suppliers who commit to raising both environmental and community social value standards. The Birchwood Park site, which is nearing completion, achieved a perfect 45 out of 45 score. The report judged the site on three different pillars: Respect for the Community, Care for the Environment, and Value for their Workforce. The site received top marks in all categories, earning an ‘excellent’ rating for each and individual praise for its environmental and social policies. Warringtonfire and Tilbury Douglas implemented a series of measures to demonstrate the social value of the site, including an open doors week and hosting a Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity site presentation on mental health, promoting health and wellbeing conversations. The teams also made further charitable donations to Warrington Youth Zone and the Trussell Trust Food Bank, and purchased sanitary products for the workplace via the Hey Girls social enterprise. The report highly commended Warringtonfire and Tilbury Douglas for the project’s environmental pledges, which included a Net Zero 2050 carbon reduction plan, avoiding diesel-powered plant and equipment during the construction, promoting the use of HVO fuel, and planting over 50 trees. Tilbury Douglas’ ISO 14001 accreditation, the international standard for environmental management systems, further reinforces the project’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. Local students from Warrington Vale and Royal College were also welcomed to the site throughout National Apprenticeship Week, with several offered future work experience placements. Iwan Lewis, Project Manager of the site for Tilbury Douglas, said: “Investing in the next generation of construction professionals is a key priority for my team and together with Warringtonfire we have actively engaged in educational outreach activities with Warrington and Vale Royal College to address the skills shortage in the construction and fire stopping industries.” Martin Horne, Regional Director at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We are proud of the value created through our partnership, the successful outcomes achieved, and the alignment of goals and values between our organisations.” Phil Shaw, Managing Director at Tilbury Douglas, said: “It’s a great result and evidences the team’s inherent culture on site driving our sustainability strategy, ‘People, Planet, and Performance’, or PPP, which sets out to deliver improved social and environmental outcomes for our business, customers, and supply chain.” The 101,000sqft Birchwood Park site is set to be the new hub for Warringtonfire’s fire testing services. Due to open its doors in January 2025, it will triple the company’s testing capacity. The laboratory will have two vertical furnaces, two horizontal furnaces, and one indicative furnace ready for test specimens when it launches, with two more furnaces to be added by the end of 2026. Dafydd Llewelyn-Jones, Project Manager for Element Materials Technology, said: “This award recognises all the hard work put into the project, both from our team and Tilbury Douglas. We’re particularly proud of our social value scores, especially our outreach with the local community. Warrington has always been our home, so it is important that we continue to make valuable contributions to both the next generation and the environment.” To learn more about the new site at Birchwood Park, visit https://www.warringtonfire.com/about-warringtonfire/warrington-site-relocation-and-expansion Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika, a leading provider of high-quality roofing solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest Continuing Professional Development (CPD), “Fire Safety in Buildings – Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs.” In today’s built environment, the ever-increasing focus on fire safety in buildings has become a critical concern for specifiers, contractors and building owners. Understanding the relevant regulations, testing methods and certification to enable navigation of the wealth of product information available is therefore essential to ensure the safety and compliance of roofing systems. Sika’s new CPD presentation addresses this need by providing comprehensive coverage of the standards, fire testing and certification for roofing applications, the types of roofing systems and insulation available, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), and the Building Regulations that apply. This CPD aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed decisions when specifying roofing solutions that prioritise fire safety. “At Sika, we understand the critical importance of fire safety in buildings, and we are committed to equipping our customers with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions,” said Mark Harris, Head of Sustainability at Sika Limited. “Our new ‘Fire Safety in Buildings – Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs’ CPD is a testament to our dedication to supporting the industry and ensuring the safety and well-being of occupants.” In addition to the “Fire Regulation and Test Methods for Roofs” CPD, Sika’s Roofing Division offers a range of other CPD topics, including: These CPD sessions are designed to provide industry professionals with the necessary knowledge and insights to navigate the evolving roofing landscape and make informed decisions that prioritise safety, sustainability, and performance. To learn more about Sika’s CPD offerings or to schedule a session, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Fire Standards Board (FSB) has announced the launch of the seventeenth professional Fire Standard; Internal Governance and Assurance. The Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard focuses on ensuring that fire and rescue services have internal governance structures and business planning processes which enable senior leaders to maintain comprehensive oversight of internal activities, assuring them that the service is operating effectively. One of the desired outcomes of the Fire Standard is that services’ internal change and improvement projects are managed through robust development, approval and initiation processes. This will ensure that such projects are aligned to the vision and strategic objectives of the service, and that delivery and organisational development plans are clear and understood by all within the service. An expected benefit of achieving the Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard is that fire and rescue services will improve governance, internal culture and increase transparency. As with all Fire Standards, there’s a corresponding Fire Standards Implementation Tool to support services with the implementation. The tool was designed to support services understanding how well they meet the standard; helping them to embed the standard into existing and new action plans and address any gaps. Chair of the Fire Standards Board, Suzanne McCarthy said: “The Board welcomes the launch of the new Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard and recognises the contribution it will bring to fire and rescue services and the communities they serve. “The standard builds on our portfolio of comprehensive and professional Fire Standards which ultimately help support the safety, health and well-being of the public via English fire and rescue services.” Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, CFO of West Sussex FRS and Chair of NFCC’s Improvement Committee, said: “I’m proud to have led the development of this new Fire Standard which will support all fire and rescue services to follow a consistent and robust process when developing internal governance and assurance procedures. “I also hope that working towards achieving this standard will create internal cultures and a positive working environments that are open to learning, self-evaluation and receiving feedback, creating a more productive, motivated and efficient workforce.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Association for Project Safety has launched its Micro Manifesto ahead of the UK General Election setting out priorities. It regards these as critical for the built environment not only to raise badly needed awareness of important issues, but to reset the construction industry’s safety relationship with government. APS wants to further build on a partnership with the next government that continues to empower the built environment to play a full role in tackling challenges particularly around in areas around building safety and mitigating risk within the building and construction industry. Although APS’s ‘key asks’ are neither especially new nor innovative, the fact is they remain its primary messages for the 650 new Westminster parliamentarians to be elected on 4 July. APS has identified Five ‘Asks’. They are . 1. Training and Skills Development Issue: There is a significant shortage of skilled workers to meet the housing targets set in all the main party manifestoes, but especially in the Tory or Labour ones, both now launched. More info here. Solution: Invest in comprehensive training programmes, and real, meaningful apprenticeships to build a skilled workforce capable of safely constructing the planned 1.5+ million homes likely to be needed over the next five years. APS Ask: Immediate allocation of funds and resources to training centres, and educational institutions – with enforceable output targets. 2. Planned and Selective Immigration (Short Term) Issue: Our members tell us that the current domestic workforce is insufficient to meet critical housing targets in the short term. Solution: Implement a planned and selective immigration policy to attract skilled workers from abroad similar to the Australian model. This would be a short-term tactic for five years. APS Ask: Fast-track visa processes for skilled immigrants with proven experience and identifiable, ‘provable’ skills in the construction sector. 3. Long-Term Construction Workforce Development Issue: Many UK college/university training programmes are simply insufficient to meet the demand for skilled workers. Solution: Enhance and expand apprenticeship programmes to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers for future projects. APS Ask: Partner with industry leaders and educational institutions to design and implement effective programmes relevant to modern methods of construction and developing technologies. 4. Environmental Protection in Planning Issue: Proposed fast-track planning on brownfield sites and abandonment of nutrient neutrality pose environmental risks. Solution: Ensure all planning and construction projects adhere to strict environmental protection standards to prevent uncontrolled pollutants in sensitive environments. APS Ask: Implement rigorous environmental impact assessments for all new construction projects. Some pioneering local authorities are showing this can be done; think how much more with government backing. 5. Retrofitting Existing Buildings Issue: The focus on new builds overlooks the potential of retrofitting existing structures to meet modern housing needs and environmental goals. Solution: Develop a robust and realistic retrofit programme to improve existing buildings’ energy efficiency and safety APS Ask: Allocate funding and incentivise homeowners and businesses to retrofit their properties. In summary, APS urges the next UK Government to prioritise the development of a skilled workforce through improved domestic training programmes and selective immigration (visa) incentives. It is crucial to balance the push for new housing with environmental protections and retrofitting initiatives to ensure sustainable growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
