Sunshine savings: Lidl brings plug-in solar panels to the high street
The middle aisles of discount supermarkets can be a treasure trove of unexpected bargains, from bagpipes to wetsuits – and now solar panels may soon join the list. German supermarket giant Lidl is among the organisations working with the government to support the roll-out of plug-in solar panels. Within the next few months, shoppers could find low-cost solar kits in Lidl stores that can be set up on balconies or in outdoor spaces, helping households start saving on their energy bills. Lidl GB’s corporate affairs director, Georgina Hall, said the move reflects the retailer’s commitment to making sustainable living more affordable. She welcomed efforts to modernise UK regulations, describing the changes as an important step in enabling households to take control of their energy use while supporting the country’s net zero ambitions. Plug-in solar technology is already widely used across Europe. In Germany alone, around half a million units are installed each year. These systems allow users to generate free solar power and feed it directly into their home via a standard mains socket, avoiding installation costs. As a result, households can reduce their reliance on grid electricity and lower their bills. The government believes this simple, accessible technology could help many households cut energy costs while reducing the UK’s dependence on global fossil fuel markets. The push for solar has been accelerated by rising energy prices linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Alongside this, the government has published its long-awaited Future Homes Standard. While largely in line with previous expectations, it includes a stronger emphasis on solar panel installation in new homes. Under the updated Building Regulations, most new properties – with some exceptions such as high-rise buildings – will be required to include on-site renewable electricity generation, most commonly through solar panels. The standard also mandates low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps and heat networks, in all new homes. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government is focused on supporting households through rising energy costs while strengthening the UK’s energy security. He emphasised that expanding access to clean energy, whether through solar panels on new homes or plug-in systems available in shops, is key to reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. Greg Jackson, founder and chief executive of Octopus Energy, said public interest in clean technologies has surged in response to global instability. He noted that demand for solar panels has risen sharply, alongside growing uptake of heat pumps and electric vehicles. He added that generating electricity at home allows households not only to cut bills but also to sell excess energy back to suppliers. Combined with technologies such as heat pumps and electric cars, this can significantly reduce the cost of heating and transport in ways that traditional gas and petrol cannot. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NFRC Celebrates Government’s Move to Ban Retentions and Overhaul Payment Law
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
CBRE Birmingham launches collaboration with MK Reformed to champion workplace wellbeing
CBRE’s Birmingham office announces a new collaboration with leading Midlands-based wellness studio MK Reformed, marking the start of an ongoing initiative designed to place health and wellbeing at the centre of workplace culture. Hosted out of its Paradise home, the two like-minded businesses are joining forces to deliver a series of targeted wellbeing seminars and activities for the CBRE team and its partners. Commencing in March, the session series aim to bring together experts from both organisations to explore accessible ways to improve physical and mental health in a professional environment. The programme will run throughout 2026, focusing on three core themes including nutrition, sleep, and the benefits of movement. Matt Kendrick,CEO of MK Reformed, said: “Our collaboration with CBRE is about showing that wellbeing isn’t an add-on, it’s fundamental to how people feel and perform at work. CBRE is so progressive with its approach to health and wellness in the workplace, that it felt like a natural fit to collaborate. “By creating space for movement, rest, and education, we’re helping teams build sustainable healthy habits that benefit both employees and the business.” Each seminar will highlight the ways in which everyday lifestyle adjustments can positively impact productivity, focus, and long-term wellbeing. The collaboration will also address key workplace topics such as menopause support, low-impact movement, and seasonal mental health strategies such as navigating winter fatigue. Will Ventham, Head of CBRE’s Birmingham Office, added: “MK Reformed is an ideal collaborator for us, an innovative Midlands brand sharing our belief in people-first workplaces, and, together, we’re demonstrating that investing in wellbeing means investing in our team’s energy, resilience, and future. The connection between health, fitness, and the modern corporate environment has never been more significant. We’re excited about how this partnership can not only support our people, but also challenge conventional thinking and enhance the insight we bring across our client’s real estate strategies.” Lydia Dutton, Senior Director, Regional Markets Sustainability Lead at CBRE said: “As workplace expectations evolve, organisations must take a more holistic view of sustainability – one that places physical and mental health at the heart of future‑ready workplaces. With our 3 Chamberlain Square office targeting WELL Gold, this collaboration brings the WELL Building Standard to life, moving beyond design intent to actively promote movement and wellbeing in everyday work.” The collaboration aligns with CBRE’s broader emphasis on ESG and workplace experience, reflecting its commitment to creating environments that actively support employee health. Its new office, 3 Chamberlain Square in Birmingham, has been heralded as ‘the best UK office building outside of London’. For more information, visit: https://www.cbre.co.uk/offices/birmingham Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction industry remains the UK’s deadliest with no noticeable HSE improvements over a decade, research finds
Astutis has analysed ten years’ worth of HSE data to look at which industries have made the biggest improvements when it comes to health and safety in the UK. The research revealed that while construction is the industry that ranks most dangerous, the sector hasn’t made any improvements since 2015, research finds. In 2015, a decade ago, the construction industry had 35 fatalities in the workplace. However, the construction industry also had 35 in the year 2025, showing there has been no improvement in the number of fatal injuries despite best efforts. However, some sectors have made big improvements such as Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing going from 32 to 23 and Manufacturing going from 18 to 11 fatalities, and the Water Supply industry also reducing fatalities from 5 in 2015, to 4 in 2025. Brenig Moore, Technical Director and HSE Expert at Astutis, comments on the research, particularly around the worrying stabilisation in the construction industry: “The construction industry has always come with a massive risk, but what we’re seeing ten years on is a huge shift in where those particular risks sit, and also how they manifest on site. Traditional hazards such as moving vehicles, working at height and structural instability remain the biggest causes of fatalities in the UK. However, construction is becoming more complex, which therefore means more serious risks. Modern sites now have technology that is much more advanced and tighter deadlines and stricter outputs, meaning many people are becoming over-worked, suffering from burnout or making mistakes from feeling fatigued. The data does show a small decrease in fatalities in the construction industry since five years ago, but what we’re really looking for is health and safety awareness to improve in the sector, and get that number as low as it possibly can go, which just hasn’t happened over the last decade unfortunately.” The same research also highlighted regional data, where there were significant disparities in workplace safety outcomes. England recorded the highest number of fatalities at 88 in 2024/25, but when adjusted for population, Scotland emerges as the most dangerous place to work, with 4.69 deaths per million people. Scotland has seen a 136% increase in fatalities since 2019/20, while the North West of England has experienced a 50% rise over the same period. In contrast, regions including Yorkshire and The Humber and the West Midlands have seen substantial reductions, down 60% and 54% respectively over the past decade. For the full research piece, please visit the page here: https://www.astutis.com/astutis-hub/blog/work-fatalities-10-year-comparison Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hyde Group and L&G launch major partnership to accelerate affordable housing delivery
Hyde Group and Legal & General have joined forces to create a new investment partnership aimed at boosting the delivery of affordable homes across the UK. The joint venture brings together the housing association’s development expertise with the financial strength of one of the country’s leading institutional investors. It will launch with a seed portfolio of more than 1,000 homes, forming the foundation for a wider pipeline of new affordable housing. The partnership will be jointly equity financed, with additional support from Legal & General’s annuity portfolio. This model enables long-term capital to be invested into housing, generating stable returns while supporting pension commitments and delivering essential infrastructure. Both organisations say the collaboration is designed to help address the significant shortfall in affordable housing supply, with traditional funding mechanisms alone no longer sufficient to meet demand. The deal forms part of Legal & General’s wider ambition to deliver 10,000 new social and affordable homes by 2030. Hyde Group is also progressing an extensive development programme, with plans to complete more than 5,500 homes over the next five years. Andy Hulme, group chief executive of Hyde Group, said the partnership reflects a growing need to attract institutional investment into the housing sector to bridge the funding gap. He explained that grant funding on its own cannot deliver the scale of housing required, and that bringing pension-backed capital into the sector is key to unlocking delivery at pace. Hyde’s role will include structuring investment, delivering new homes and managing communities, with profits reinvested into further affordable housing provision. Catherine Raynsford, managing director for stock acquisitions at Legal & General Affordable Homes, described the agreement as an important step forward for the organisation’s housing strategy. She highlighted Legal & General’s track record in delivering high-quality affordable homes since entering the sector in 2018, adding that the partnership with Hyde combines expertise with a model designed to attract further institutional backing. The collaboration signals a broader shift in how affordable housing is funded and delivered in the UK, with long-term investment capital playing an increasingly central role. As housing demand continues to outpace supply, partnerships of this kind are expected to become more common, helping to unlock development and deliver homes at scale across the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The £530 Billion Construction Pipeline: Navigating Cost Pressures in a Growing Market
Expert Insight by Christian Rowe The government’s Infrastructure Pipeline sets out 780 projects worth £530 billion over the next ten years, covering transport, energy, education and healthcare. For UK construction firms, this represents a significant pipeline of opportunity. However, the sector recorded more insolvencies than any other UK industry in 2025, with almost 4,000 firms collapsing. This contrast highlights a critical point: a strong pipeline does not guarantee commercial viability. With construction costs forecast to rise by 15 per cent over the next five years and tender prices expected to increase alongside them, successful contractors will be those who balance opportunity with disciplined pricing and robust risk management. Experts at Executive Compass, a bid and tender writing specialist, examine how construction firms can evaluate opportunities and identify which contracts are commercially viable. Rising Costs are Eating into Every Tender The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) forecasts construction costs to rise by 15 per cent over the next five years, with tender prices expected to follow at 16 per cent. Labour remains the primary pressure point, with employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage driving the BCIS Labour Cost Index upwards. Skills shortages are compounding the issue, and demand from the booming data centre sector is adding further strain on mechanical and electrical contractors. While the volume of available work is growing, the cost of delivering it is growing faster. For firms operating on tight margins, this significantly reduces tolerance for error. The Hidden Danger of Bidding Too Aggressively “The sizeable pipeline is very positive for the sector, and the long-term visibility it provides is something the industry has needed for years,” said Christian Rowe, CEO at Executive Compass. “However, visibility alone does not make a contract viable. We are seeing firms bid aggressively to secure work, only to find that cost inflation erodes margin before delivery is complete.” The Procurement Act 2023 introduces greater accountability for contract performance. Suppliers that fail to meet required standards risk exclusion from future opportunities through the public debarment regime. “Bid/no-bid decisions need to be made objectively,” Rowe added. “That means assessing whether you have the cost base, workforce and supply chain resilience to deliver. It is not just about whether you can win.” How to Identify Genuine Commercial Opportunities in the Pipeline With £285 billion of the pipeline funded by the public sector, there is real work to be won. But Rowe urges construction businesses to apply a structured evaluation before committing resources to any tender, “Start by asking whether the contract aligns with your strategic direction and whether you have a genuine competitive advantage such as local presence, specialist skills or delivery track record.” “Then look hard at the risk profile,” adds Rowe. “If price weighting is high and you are competing against national contractors with greater buying power, you need to be realistic about whether you can compete without undercutting yourself into difficulty.” It’s also very important to gain an understanding of the full cost picture before submitting a price. “With tender prices forecast to climb and material costs subject to increasing volatility as infrastructure output grows, firms that price on today’s costs for contracts beginning in 12 to 18 months risk building in losses from day one,” warns Rowe. Seeking Support with Bid/No-Bid Decisions While the infrastructure pipeline brings the construction sector some much needed certainty, firms that use it wisely, with realistic cost forecasting, careful bid decisions and a solid delivery model, have a real opportunity to grow. But for those that chase volume of bids without checking whether their numbers stack up properly, it could mean more contracts ending in financial difficulty. “The pipeline gives the sector the roadmap it has been asking for,” advises Rowe. “The key is selecting the right opportunities, not simply pursuing more of them.” Specialist bid support can assist firms in evaluating opportunities and making informed bid/no-bid decisions, reducing exposure to commercial risk and improving long-term outcomes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals