Category: Government
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Proposed safety reforms signal move to single construction regulator
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Image: Feverpitched | Dreamstime.com The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed it will introduce primary legislation to regulate the fire engineering profession, aimed at strengthening public safety and raising professional accountability. The government has concurrently published its plans for a single construction regulator, which complements the fire engineering proposals by placing them within a wider…
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Government unveils plans for 50,000 new apprenticeships
A £725m package of reforms to the apprenticeship system will help to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth, according to the government. The funding includes £140m for a pilot scheme which will allow mayors to connect young people – especially those not in education, employment or training (NEET) – with thousands of apprenticeships at…
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Autumn budget: ‘bolder measures’ needed on construction skills
The autumn budget has been met with both relief and concern across the construction industry. Although funding announced for SMEs training apprentices under 25 has been welcomed, many construction leaders worry that the chancellor’s measures do not go far enough to address urgent skills challenges. Below are reactions from some of the industry’s key stakeholders.…
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Call for workforce reforms to tackle construction skills crisis
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in 1.5m new homes, apprenticeships, Careers, CSJ, education, Featured, Government, People, policy, skills, training“Instead of focusing purely on access to learning, they have understood that learners need teachers with strong industry experience to develop their skills, employers to take them on, and an industry which has a pipeline of work to sustain career progression. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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BWF CEO: We are united against ‘dumbing down’ of apprenticeships
Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), tells CM People why industry leaders are coming together in response to the government’s proposed apprenticeship reforms. Last month, an open letter addressed to the prime minister made headlines as a powerful coalition of construction industry leaders and professional bodies warned that government-backed reforms to apprenticeship…
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Government calls for employer insights to combat illegal working
Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, said: “These legislative amendments will restrict the ability of rogue employers to take advantage of illegal workers and encourage businesses to provide work opportunities to those permitted to work in the UK. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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New measures announced to tackle London’s housing crisis
Emergency interventions to unlock housebuilding in the capital have been set out by the housing secretary and mayor of London. The measures, which are subject to consultation, aim to fast-track the planning process for sites with at least 20% affordable housing. According to a government statement, the proposed measures will “tackle squeezed viability, including the…
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Construction coalition slams proposed apprenticeship reforms
The letter refers to plans to “shorten the minimum duration of an apprenticeship to just eight months”, as well as plans to mandate “a new end point assessment (EPA) that favours a shorter, high-level assessment plan over the current final, impartial stage of an apprenticeship”. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Government must learn from HS2 ‘disaster’, PAC chair warns
Former Transport for London commissioner Mike Brown has been appointed as HS2 Ltd chair and will work alongside chief executive Mark Wild to deliver a programme reset, including reviewing the costs and schedule, renegotiating HS2’s large construction contracts and reviewing HS2 Ltd’s skills and structure. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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UK planning bill changes aim to unshackle ‘stubborn’ system
The government has proposed a series of new measures it hopes will turbocharge planning and infrastructure delivery across Britain. The amendments to the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill could become law later this year if ministers vote them through. If passed, the bill will give ministers new powers to issue ‘holding directions’ to stop councils…
