Expert comment – Nationalisation of British Steel – BCIS chief economist
Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: Bringing British Steel under public ownership may help secure a strategically important industry, but the cost of doing so is obviously a major concern. UK steelmakers continue to face some of the highest electricity prices in Europe, while energy market volatility is pushing production costs higher. For example, fabricated structural steel prices, according to the Department for Business and Trade’s producer price index for the product, rose by more than 8% in the year to March 2026. The government’s wider steel strategy, including tighter import quotas and 50% tariffs on some overseas steel from July, is intended to support domestic production, but it also risks adding further cost pressure across construction supply chains. Ministers have already agreed to review the policy following industry concerns over steel availability and project costs. In the near term, while energy markets and global trade conditions remain unpredictable, maintaining a competitive and secure UK steel industry is likely to require significant government support. It is crucial this intervention succeeds. Failure would risk undermining both domestic steel production and the wider construction sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scotland’s Build-to-Rent Market Poised for Revival as 10,000 Homes Edge Closer
Scotland’s build-to-rent sector is showing signs of a major recovery after years of stalled development activity, with new legislation expected to unlock thousands of delayed homes and reignite investor confidence. According to new analysis from property consultancy Ryden, part of the Lambert Smith Hampton Group, changes to Scotland’s rent control regulations could pave the way for nearly 10,000 build-to-rent homes to move forward. The findings were published as part of Lambert Smith Hampton’s “Live & Kicking” Build to Rent Report 2026. The Scottish market has faced significant disruption since 2022, when emergency rent controls were introduced during the cost-of-living crisis. The measures led to a sharp decline in investor confidence, with many planned developments paused or delayed amid concerns over long-term viability and returns. As a result, there are currently no large-scale build-to-rent developments under construction anywhere in Scotland, despite a substantial pipeline of approved schemes waiting to progress. However, sentiment across the sector has shifted following the introduction of the Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which came into force in April. The new rules confirm that qualifying build-to-rent developments will be exempt from rent control measures, providing developers and investors with greater certainty. Industry experts believe the changes could mark a turning point for Scotland’s residential investment market, particularly in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where much of the future activity is expected to be concentrated. David Fraser, partner in residential investment and development at Ryden, said the market had effectively ground to a halt after 2022, but the new exemptions had restored the clarity investors needed to commit to projects once again. He added that Scotland had moved from being one of the UK’s most uncertain build-to-rent markets to one of its most compelling opportunities for investment. More than 5,200 build-to-rent homes have been delivered across Scotland so far, largely within Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, this remains significantly behind comparable English cities, where the sector has become a major contributor to housing supply and urban regeneration. The report also highlights growing interest in co-living and single-family rental developments, both of which are expected to play an increasing role in tackling Scotland’s housing shortage. With tenant demand remaining strong and regulatory barriers beginning to ease, the sector is now expected to enter a new phase of growth, with long-delayed schemes finally moving closer to delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EG On The Move expands UK forecourt network with MPK Garages deal
EG On The Move has strengthened its UK forecourt presence with the acquisition of MPK Garages, a well-established petrol forecourt operator with a strong regional footprint. The deal includes 27 petrol forecourt sites, most of which are freehold. The sites operate under a mix of Valero, Texaco and Gulf fuel brands, with Nisa-branded retail stores forming part of the customer offer. The acquisition marks another step in EG On The Move’s national growth strategy, taking the group close to 200 locations across the UK. It also increases the company’s presence across the Midlands, where MPK has built a respected and established network. EG On The Move said the purchase provides a strong platform for further investment across the acquired estate. Plans include improving the non-fuel retail offer, with an enhanced foodservice proposition, wider grocery range and broader merchandise selection expected to be introduced across the sites. Zuber Issa, CEO of EG On The Move, said the acquisition represented an important move in the company’s UK expansion plans, describing MPK as a highly respected operator with a strong Midlands presence. Wayne Harrand, CEO of MPK, said the business had invested heavily in its people and estate since 2018. He added that EG On The Move shared a similar approach and was well placed to enhance the customer offer across the MPK sites, while delivering long-term value and improved financial performance across the combined network. The transaction further highlights continued investment in the UK forecourt sector, as operators look to broaden convenience, foodservice and retail services beyond traditional fuel sales. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FIS launches drylining design engineer competency framework to elevate industry
Developed in collaboration with industry experts, contractors, manufacturers, and training providers, the framework establishes a clear benchmark for the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required of drylining design engineers. As construction projects grow increasingly complex, the need for qualified and competent design professionals has never been greater. This new framework aligns with broader industry initiatives around competency, including post-Grenfell regulatory reforms, and reinforces the importance of robust design processes in ensuring building safety. The framework outlines core competencies across several key areas, including: Commenting on the launch, FIS Technical Director James Parlour said: “Competency frameworks are required urgently across the industry, and we are grateful to our members for helping to identify and fulfil this critical gap where competency in delivering what seems to be a relatively narrow function is holding up the design of the entire interior system due to its wide ranging interfaces with other packages. It is also a prominent area of risk where contractors design portion is often defined and constrained poorly, and competent design management is key to mitigating this risk for the supply chain.” The development of this competency framework reflects FIS’s ongoing commitment to raising standards and driving continuous improvement across the sector. It adds to a growing suite of installer competency frameworks that are already available from FIS, including: The Competency Framework is available to download from the FIS website at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/competency-frameworks/drylining-design-engineer-competency/ To underpin the Competence Frameworks, CITB, in partnership with Build UK and fire industry experts, have developed a free Fire Safety in Buildings e-learning course to improve an individual’s knowledge of fire safety measures in buildings. The course is suitable for anyone working in the design, construction, or maintenance of buildings, with a specific focus on installers and can be accessed here https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/training-offers-for-members/fis-training-modules/fire-safety-in-buildings/ For further information or for any questions please contact FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New AI in Build to Rent – Practical Guide launched at inaugural ARL Rental Living Tech Conference
The Association for Rental Living has launched a ground-breaking AI in Build to Rent – Practical Guide at its inauguralRental Living Tech Conference. A first for the sector, the new guide acknowledges that AI is already embedded in Build to Rent operations, meaning governance, rather than adoption, is now the critical area of focus. Brendan Geraghty, CEO of the Association for Rental Living – the membership body for all institutionally backed, professionally managed purpose-built rental living sectors – launched the guide following a consultation with the organisation’s membership that began in late 2025. Brendan comments: “From repairs triage and chatbots to pricing and analytics, AI is already influencing resident experiences and operational decisions across the rental living sector. We’ve reached an inflection point in 2026. The Renters’ Rights Act and the EU AI Act high-risk provisions, due in August, along with active CMA enforcement, mean that poorly governed AI now carries immediate legal and reputational risk. In contrast, well-governed, responsible AI has become a competitive advantage” The AI in Build to Rent – Practical Guide acknowledges that governing AI has become far more than just a compliance exercise. Operators that govern AI transparently and fairly will be better positioned with residents, investors and regulators than those that treat AI as an unexamined tech add‑on. In recognition of this, AI governance now forms part of sector standards, with new digital, data and AI provisions in the BTR Alliance Code of Practice for BTR Operators, launching later this month, embedding AI oversight into mainstream operational, compliance and verification frameworks. AI is already in use across the rental living sector, with many operators using it was part of their property management, CRM, maintenance and communications software. However, this is often without explicit oversight or board visibility, creating a significant accountability risk. The Association for Rental Living’s Brendan Geraghty comments: “”The AI did it” is not a defence and regulators are explicit that legal responsibility for AI decisions sits with the operator, not the vendor or the algorithm. With the rapid growth of agentic AI, where autonomous AI agents undertake multi-step workflows, the risks (as well as the opportunities) notch up.” The new guide, available to ARL members, makes it clear that proportionate, risk‑based governance is essential. Low‑risk AI use cases (repairs, document intelligence, comms) offer fast, proven returns, but high‑risk AI (screening, affordability checks, arrears scoring, biometrics and pricing) demands enhanced controls, human oversight and formal approval. Without appropriate governance measures in place, the risk of data leakage, consumer law breaches and embedded bias in decision-making amplifies significantly. Brendan continues: “Residents must remain at the centre of AI deployment. To ensure this, the new AI in Build to Rent – Practical Guide includes an innovative AI Ladder, offering a four-stage proportionate framework and practical pathway for every operator. It enables organisations of all sizes to progress from basic AI awareness to mature, trusted deployment without over‑engineering and with transparency and explainability at its core.” The guide was launched at the Rental Living Tech Conference in London, organised by the Association for Rental Living and attended by 100+ delegates from across the sector. The first dedicated technology conference for rental living, it included sessions on the role and impact of AI on NOI, operations and customer experience, with live demonstrations and practical insights from expert speakers bringing the content to life. Attended by proptech innovators, tech leaders, operators, investors, digital service providers, and rental living professionals, the conference explored how technology is transforming every aspect of rental housing, from resident experiences to operations, data, AI, connectivity and sustainability. ARL members keen to move from AI hype to disciplined execution can download the new AI in Build to Rent – Practical Guide at www.theARL.org.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Control centre milestone as Taylor Woodrow lands £856m HS2 depot contract
Taylor Woodrow has secured an £856 million contract to deliver HS2’s flagship train depot and control centre in Birmingham. The contractor will carry out the major works at Washwood Heath in joint venture with Aureos Rail. The 70-hectare site, formerly home to LDV van manufacturing and Metro-Cammell, is set to become one of the most important operational hubs on the HS2 network. The contract covers construction of HS2’s rolling stock maintenance depot, as well as the network integrated control centre. Once complete, the facility will oversee day-to-day railway operations, including train dispatch, driver communications and wider network management. Around 500 construction jobs are expected to be supported during the build programme. The Washwood Heath depot will include a main maintenance building, carriage wash, automatic vehicle inspection facility, overnight train stabling sidings and a dedicated test track. It will play a central role in keeping HS2 services running safely and efficiently once the line becomes operational. The award is one of the first major contracts to be approved under the reset of the HS2 programme, led by Mark Wild, as ministers look to simplify delivery and bring costs under tighter control. HS2 said the contract had undergone additional scrutiny from Wild and an independent review panel, following lessons learned from earlier civil engineering packages, the Stewart Review and Crossrail. Construction partner BBV, the joint venture between Balfour Beatty and VINCI, has already completed significant remediation and enabling works on the heavily contaminated brownfield site. Taylor Woodrow and Aureos Rail will now work with HS2 and the future operator to finalise designs before the scheme progresses into full construction, testing and commissioning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals