Category: Opinion
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How’s the government going to ‘get Britain building’?
The government has published two major planning announcements aimed at the housebuilding sector. David Parry explains what’s in each of them. (Image: Paul Maguire via Dreamstime) The end of May saw the publication of two major government announcements for the construction sector, both setting out further intentions to free up the planning system and get…
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Rising wage costs are eating into construction’s margins
The industry’s persistent skills shortage is pushing wage inflation while also thwarting project delivery, writes Nitesh Patel. Wages in construction are rising at a faster pace than across the wider economy. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that average weekly earnings in the industry accelerated to 7.5% in the year to February, from 6%…
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Five things construction firms need to know about the new Fair Payment Code
Many construction firms were signatories to the PPC, but most had signed up when bidding for contracts and forgotten about the commitment they had made. Many were not engaging with the PPC, the person who had championed joining the PPC had moved on, there was no ownership, and firms were no longer complying. View the…
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a new chapter for black professionals in the built environment
In an industry as vast and vital as construction, leadership should reflect the diverse talent that drives it forward. Yet, for too long, black construction professionals have been underrepresented at the highest levels, within construction professional bodies and as decision-makers within the built environment. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Trans colleagues: you are welcome at CIOB
Following recent backlashes for the trans community in the UK and abroad, Caroline Gumble emphasises the importance of showing allyship with LGBTQ+ colleagues. I’ve always regarded having a CM column as a privilege. In recognising the responsibility that comes with that, I have mainly focused on writing about the achievements of our members and key…
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‘A trained specialist is the key to ensuring quality and safe fitness for purpose’
Michael Hawkyard FCIOB: ‘A further remedy a creditor may wish to consider is the issue of a statutory demand’ (Image: Dreamstime.com) A selection of readers’ comments about news and issues in the industry from across the CIOB community and social media. ‘Our main contractor client is withholding payments. What can we do?’ This contract clinic…
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How developers can use incentives to build water-efficient homes
“The second point, which links closely to this, is customer demand, or a lack of. Home buyers have long been wise to the benefits of buying a home that is energy efficient, as energy saving is far more widely talked about than water saving, so buyers demand developers have this high on their agendas. They…
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Why increased construction investment will kickstart growth
To put a spotlight on the energy sector, the focus on net zero is likely to drive further nuclear and offshore wind activity, which is already gaining strength. The final investment decision on Sizewell C is expected in June. Additionally, a target of 43-50GW of offshore wind power by 2030 has been set by the energy secretary,…
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‘There is a skill deficit in quantity surveyors’
A selection of readers’ comments about news and issues in the industry from across the CIOB community and social media. Image: Dreamstime.com What can we do about the shortage of quantity surveyors? Ken Hubble MCIOB sent us a letter about an important challenge facing the industry and what he believes would fix it. From my…
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Setting a new standard for procurement competence
By setting the highest standards of procurement competence across the life cycle of a building and at all levels within the supply chain, the framework aims to address a key finding of Hackitt’s 2018 report, which identified that poor commercial and procurement practices in the years leading up to the Grenfell fire had driven a…