Author Archives: James Wilmore

Dozens of higher-risk building (HRB) schemes have been stuck for months at the gateway three approval stage with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), new figures show. According to the data, revealed in a freedom of information (FOI) request from law firm Irwin Mitchell, 44 HRB schemes are still awaiting a…

Multiplex has renewed its denial that it bears responsibility for issues at a flagship Glasgow hospital where immunocompromised children were seriously infected. In a statement to Construction News, the contractor insisted the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) was delivered “on time, on budget, and fully certified” before opening in 2015.…

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has said that “targeted stimulus measures” from the government are required urgently, as weak demand and rising costs continue to dash hopes of an industry recovery. An update from the body’s materials supply chain group said that action was needed due to “persistent difficulties” and…

Repair work on Wales’ iconic Menai Suspension Bridge has been delayed further with completion now expected for spring next year. In an update, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales Ken Skates said the timetable had been affected by “essential safety work”. Work on phase two of repairs, including repainting…

Construction output is expected to grow by just 1.7 per cent in 2026 amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, a trade body has warned. The forecast is a major downgrade on previously predicted growth of 2.8 per cent, made last autumn, the Construction Products Association (CPA) said. In a new report, published…

MPs have called for the Serious Fraud Office to investigate after finding a “catastrophic failure” over government-backed insulation schemes. In a new 34-page report, the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found that more than 30,000 homes had been left with defects due to failures under ECO4 and the Great British…

Subcontractors should be forced to meet the same competence and training standards as tier one firms on public contracts to tackle low-pricing culture, a coalition of trade groups and unions have told the government. The 11-strong coalition wrote to business minister Chris McDonald calling for the government’s latest procurement reforms…

A major building envelope specialist and two of its subsidiaries have filed notices of intention to appoint administrators. Court records show that notices were lodged for holding company FK Group Ltd plus FK Construction Ltd and FK Facades Ltd on Monday (19 January). Construction News understands that Cheshire-based FK Group…

A Kier job to build a new £60m mental health hospital has been delayed due to rain and a subcontractor's collapse, with the facility now expected to open by the end of the year. The FTSE-250 contractor had originally said it expected construction of the new 54-bed Combe Valley Hospital…

Bowmer & Kirkland has been confirmed as main contractor to build one of the largest film studios in Europe, but questions remain over the £450m government-backed project as a new investor is yet to be confirmed. Plans for the 1.5 million square foot Crown Works Studios in Sunderland has faced…