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Damien Clifford is a partner and co-owner of EthosEQ, a chartered quantity surveying practice I see the commercial realities of delivering sustainable buildings every day. The industry is being asked to meet ambitious Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and energy performance certificate (EPC) targets at a time when almost every…

Renee Preston, director at Gallaway Construction and founder of Construction for Women In the 1980s, Britain faced a youth employment crisis. Unemployment peaked near 12 per cent – and for school leavers it was far worse. The government accepted responsibility and introduced the Youth Training Scheme (YTS), a national guarantee…

Simon Toplass is chief executive at Pagabo A combination of tightening finances, continued insolvencies and a persistent skills shortage has created an environment where risk appetite is lower than ever. With the Autumn Budget looming, contractors and consultants are approaching with caution, but the sector needs to remain alive to…

Tyra Ali is a contractor solutions specialist at Markel Tax The construction industry is preparing for the impact of the Autumn Budget. It seems that on the one hand the government is continuing to push for more housing, while on the other it is tightening compliance on workforce engagement. The…

Tom Garrigan is executive director at the Building Services Research and Intelligence Association The UK’s retrofit ambitions risk collapse under the weight of misplaced priorities. Current policy focuses heavily on installation targets, yet the reality on the ground tells a very different story.  “The fallout from failed work isn’t abstract…

Gary McIndoe is managing partner at Latitude Law Home Office changes to the skilled worker route are creating both challenges and opportunities for construction employers. In its 22 July rule changes, against the background of increased skill and salary levels across the board, the government retained shortage occupation status for…

Richard Brettell, pictured left, is commercial director (industrial) and Jamie Sangster is director of strategy at Sir Robert McAlpine With the UK’s AI market set to grow to about £750bn by 2035, according to one estimate, the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and AI Growth Zones are giving political shape…

Graham Bramley is managing director at Bramley Engineering The Health and Safety Executive’s recent announcement of a review of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) is a rare chance to improve rules that affect almost every construction project. The call for evidence asks dutyholders and industry bodies to…

Rudi Klein is a barrister and director at KleinLegal Recent measures on improving payment practices have failed, yet again, to measure up to the extent of abuse in the industry. We all know about the devastating impact that such abuse has had on businesses over many years. It has sapped…

David Crosthwaite is chief economist at the Building Cost Information Service Construction is no stranger to volatility. It has endured recessions, rampant inflation, global supply chain crises and sharp swings in demand. But stagflation – the combination of stagnant growth and persistent inflation that we’re currently experiencing – is an…