In today’s news, following Brexit, the government of the United Kingdom will implement a plan to remove CE marking from building materials. During this time, Ecclesiastical advises care concerning construction projects that are being undertaken by independent schools. Further, Bouygues UK and Skanska UK are working together to build aspirations in the construction industry for students in Tewkesbury. The government of the United Kingdom has also committed to resolving hundreds of house construction projects that have been blocked.
Post-Brexit UK Government Shelved Promise to Remove CE Marking from Construction Items
Original Source: UK government shelves post-Brexit plan to remove CE marking from construction products
The UK Labour administration, which took power this summer, has halted plans to remove CE certification from building products.
The previous Conservative administration planned to move from Europe’s CE (Conformité Européenne) mark to the UKCA mark once the UK left the EU. Government guidance required CE marking of UK-destined building products by June 2025.
However, Rushanara Ali, parliamentary secretary of state for building safety and homelessness, declared yesterday (2 September) that the government would extend CE marking for construction materials.
Ali explained his judgement, “We listened to the Independent Review of the Construction Products Testing Regime. This showed that the UK alone lacks the testing and certification infrastructure to assess conformity if CE recognition ended.
We are also convinced that eliminating CE marking without revising the domestic regime would create trade barriers and reduce the availability of items that fulfil standards.”
The announcement preceded the Grenfell Inquiry report, due tomorrow (4 September). Ali said the government sought to address “inadequacies” in the building products regime but would consider Inquiry recommendations.
She said, “I am making this extension, and the longer-term future of CE/UKCA marking, conditional on this government committing to a system-wide reform of the construction products regulatory regime.”
She added any CE marking recognition modifications would require a two-year transition period to offer supply chains confidence.
Construction items must undergo a standard or technical assessment under the current regime. These products must have a UKCA or CE mark.
Ecclesiastical Warns Prudence as Autonomous Schools Build Structures
Original Source: As independent schools embrace construction projects, Ecclesiastical advises caution
New Ecclesiastical Insurance research shows that many independent schools are building new buildings using current methods.
Ecclesiastical advises brokers to discuss project risks with clients and the significance of early insurer consultation.
The speciality education insurer found that 81% of independent schools are building or planning to build new structures.
Ecclesiastical urges brokers to underline the necessity of consulting insurers early in new construction projects and for schools to be aware of the dangers.
The study of 250 UK independent school leaders indicated that 19% are building new buildings and 47% aim to do so within one to five years. Extra 15% plan construction projects beyond five years.
Ecclesiastical encourages brokers to notify clients that insurers consider fire resistance and business continuity, while building laws prioritise life safety. Early insurer interaction is vital because building materials may save money in the short term but increase insurance costs in the long term.
Independent schools aim to invest in MMC (27%), solar PV to battery storage (26%), and sustainable buildings (26%), according to the survey.
The independent education sector prioritises energy economy and sustainability, but Ecclesiastical warns that some sustainable materials may be flammable, increasing dangers.
As a prominent UK insurer of independent schools, Ecclesiastical Insurance is committed to assisting the sector, according to client segment director Laura Carter (shown above). She stressed that brokers assist schools evaluate risks and get enough coverage.
Carter stressed the significance of early interaction with all parties, including insurers, when developing new school buildings or sustainability programs to mitigate risks.
Bouygues UK And Skanska UK Lift Tewkesbury Students’ Construction Goals
Original Source: Bouygues UK And Skanska UK Build Aspirations In Construction For Tewkesbury Pupils
Bouygues UK, which is creating the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, and Skanska UK are showing Tewkesbury youngsters local construction projects and alternative vocations.
Tewkesbury, which will open in Spring 2025 with 136,000sq ft for 56 high-quality retail and food and beverage firms. The British Army’s vehicle hub in Tewkesbury is being modernised by Skanska UK.
Two construction firms agreed to collaborate on STEM engagement using ‘Building Aspirations’ sessions to promote the construction industry and career paths to adjacent Tewkesbury Academy and Alderman Knight School.
Nick Toulson, Bouygues UK’s social value advisor for the Cotswolds Designer Outlet project, said it is a great example of competitors working together to increase local learning opportunities and showcase construction careers.
According to him, two tier one construction businesses in Tewkesbury are collaborating on significant building contracts in close proximity. After talking at the school’s professions fair, Bouygues UK, Skanska UK, and Tewkesbury Academy agreed to try combined delivery to improve student learning.
Since we both work with the same educational audience to encourage STEM involvement, the construction industry, and career paths, it makes sense. It’s been terrific working with Skanska and has helped our kids.”
Skanska UK Trainee Quantity Surveyor Alex Green said, “It has been a rewarding opportunity to shine a light on the diverse range of careers and opportunities in the construction industry. As a degree apprentice, I’ve been able to discuss my way into the business, which is growing more popular as an education option. Working with Bouygues UK has been fun, and I think we’ve introduced young people to our industry.”
Four workshops have been offered to 100 students through the cooperation.
The group achieved the following goals by participating in a Building Aspirations session and presenting the local building projects of Bouygues UK and Skanska UK:
- Lay down the building’s background
- Emphasise available jobs both now and in the future
- Describe how the student’s education is important
- Emphasise the role of mathematics in building
Bouygues UK also taught two groups of primary school students at Abbey View School Building Aspirations and Construction Challenge Lessons, and Year Five at Carrant Brook Junior School two Construction Management Challenge activities.
Kelly Jefferies, Mathematics and Design Technology Lead, Carrant Brook Junior School, said: “The students were engaged and enjoyed both sessions. These STEM chances are rare for schools, therefore it was a great experience for the kids. Construction went well. All youngsters were engaged and it was a great high ceiling low threshold workout that challenged all abilities.”
Bouygues UK works with the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Gloucester and Tewkesbury Job Centres as part of its SWAP strategy to improve the social value of the community where it works.
Job seekers 16 and older who are receiving benefits can apply through the sector-based work academy programme (SWAP). Pre-employment training, on-site training and mentoring, a short work placement, and a guaranteed job interview or application assistance are included in this six-week program.
UK Promises to Restart Hundreds of Housing Projects
Original Source: UK government pledges to unblock hundreds of stalled housing construction projects
The goal is to re-start hundreds of sites all around England with building.
A group from the Ministry of Housing and the housing agency Homes England will collaborate with local councils as part of the strategy to speed up the construction of partially built or projects that are currently delayed in the planning process.
To “lend a helping hand to frustrated housebuilders and local communities who want to play their part to get Britain building again,” the government is planning to implement the so-called New Homes Accelerator.
Two hundred big sites have blueprints, either in outline or detailed form, but development has not yet begun, according to government data. It asserted that when combined, they may open the door to 300,000 additional homes.
The report highlighted three potential locations that, once developed, may provide access to almost 10,000 new dwellings: Stretton Hall in Leicestershire, Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community in Essex, and Biggleswade Garden Community in Central Bedfordshire.
Aiming to construct 1.5 million additional dwellings during the subsequent five years, the newly formed Labour administration under the leadership of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined this goal in its 2024 platform. The prior Conservative administration set an annual goal of 300,000 new dwellings but fell well short of that mark.
Some in the industry have voiced doubts about the target’s feasibility, and latest data from the Office of National Statistics shows that just 38,400 new homes were finished in Q1 2024. At the current pace, little over half of the government’s target—154,00 completions—will be achieved by year’s end.
In order to gauge the scope of the problem nationwide, the government recently announced that it has issued a call for evidence, requesting information from landowners, local authorities, and housebuilders on blocked sites with major planning issues.
“The failure to ensure the development system is functioning as it should has delayed the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes for far too long,” Rayner added.
We will not hesitate to step in when necessary, and our government has a moral duty to do all in its ability to help people get the houses they so desperately need.
“In order to help local authorities and developers get shovels in the ground, our New Homes Accelerator will quickly identify blockages, fix problems, and provide support.”
A major limitation on house development has traditionally been the planning process and all that goes along with it, according to David O’Leary, executive director of the Home Builders Federation. The administration’s eagerness to get to work fixing things in the weeks following the election is encouraging. Uncertainty abounds in the process due to understaffing in the planning department and conflicting motivations for several public agencies and statutory consultees. This poses a great deal of danger, which in turn causes building timelines to lengthen and presents significant obstacles, especially for smaller and medium-sized home builders.
New home construction can pick up speed and the housing market can recover if planners take a more realistic approach. New, more affordable housing for young people can be a boon to growth and job creation when homes are unlocked and new communities are delivered. There are many moving parts in the housing market, and we’re excited to collaborate with the government to make sure everything is running well.
Summary of today’s construction news
Overall, we discussed an attempt to decertify construction materials as not meeting certain standards has been shelved by the newly elected UK Labour government. Concurrently, recent studies conducted by Ecclesiastical Insurance reveal that a large number of independent schools are constructing new facilities utilising modern techniques. Skanska UK and Bouygues UK, the latter of which is building the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, are also exposing young people in Tewkesbury to local building projects and alternative careers. Further, as part of the plan, a team from the Ministry of Housing and the housing agency Homes England will work with local councils to expedite the building of half-finished or postponed projects.
