Category: Government
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Crackdown on illegal working in construction
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More than twice the number of employers have been banned from sponsoring foreign workers in the first year of this government compared with the year before, according to new figures. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 1,948 licences allowing companies to bring in migrant workers were revoked – more than double the number in the…
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Councils rebel against Labour’s planning reforms
Councils across England are mounting a united challenge to the Government’s proposed planning reforms, warning they will strip away local decision-making powers and damage trust in the system. Leaders from urban and rural authorities say the changes – including a two-tier system and tougher housing targets – are unnecessary, unrealistic, and harmful. The growing backlash…
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Apprenticeships in Wales need better promotion, report says
Schools, colleges, employers and the Welsh Government must work together to present apprenticeships as a strong start to a career, the Senedd’s economy committee has concluded. Andrew RT Davies, chair of the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, said: “For many people, apprenticeships can be an excellent choice. They combine learning, earning, working and…
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Industry welcomes £100m ‘technical excellence colleges’
More than 40,000 future construction workers will be trained by 2029 at new ‘technical excellence colleges’ unveiled today (12 August). The specialist colleges will be in every region of England to train the workforce needed to support economic growth and deliver the government’s 1.5m new homes target. The 10 new colleges are Derby College Group,…
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Industry welcomes £100m ‘technical excellence colleges’
More than 40,000 future construction workers will be trained by 2029 at new ‘technical excellence colleges’ unveiled today (12 August). The specialist colleges will be in every region of England to train the workforce needed to support economic growth and deliver the government’s 1.5m new homes target. The 10 new colleges are Derby College Group,…
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Planning bill U-turn changes new home build rules
After mounting pressure from environmental groups and rebel MPs, the government has quietly rewritten a major section of its flagship planning bill. The key changes strengthen nature protections, particularly in greenbelt and rural areas, and introduce new conditions around development timelines. For homebuilders, renovators, and self-builders, this shift could affect how and when you break…
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What is ‘Pot Zero’? The energy policy gaining attention
The majority of UK electricity now comes from low-carbon sources, yet household energy prices are still rising as they are still heavily affected by global gas prices. This is due to the structure of the UK’s electricity market, where wholesale prices are usually set by the most expensive generator, typically gas-fired power. Now a new…
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What is ‘Pot Zero’? The energy policy gaining attention
The majority of UK electricity now comes from low-carbon sources, yet household energy prices are still rising as they are still heavily affected by global gas prices. This is due to the structure of the UK’s electricity market, where wholesale prices are usually set by the most expensive generator, typically gas-fired power. Now a new…
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Self-builders could skip building regulation delays thanks to new scheme
New Government planning reforms could be a game‑changer for self‑builders struggling with delays in gaining building regulations approval. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has unveiled a fast‑track process to speed up approvals, backed by a 100‑strong recruitment drive. This shake‑up injects inspectors and engineers straight into the regulator, potentially getting self‑builders building sooner. You may…
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New planning reforms could help fix broken housing market
The UK government’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill, expected to come into force by late 2025, promises major changes to how housing is delivered in England. The aim is to reduce delays, make it easier to get permission for new homes, and support smaller builders, including people who want to build their own homes. These…