In today’s UK construction news, read about how the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is encouraging construction companies across the UK to prioritise mental health on National Stress Awareness Day. Meanwhile, the LEEDS COLLEGE of Building (LCB) has expanded its facilities and added new training options by purchasing a sizable building next to its North Street Campus. Lastly, construction on what is being dubbed Britain’s greatest Christian monument is scheduled to start this week after the project team reached its initial fundraising goal of £40 million.
Construction Workers Are Encouraged by FMB to Put Mental Health First
Original Source: National Stress Awareness Day: FMB Urges Builders to Prioritise Mental Health
Today is National Stress Awareness Day, and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) urges UK building companies to promote mental health.
Builders face significant obstacles such as an ageing workforce, skills shortages, economic uncertainty, and tight project deadlines, which increases workplace stress.
The FMB encourages members and the construction industry to discuss mental health on Stress Awareness Day and refer employees to important support resources.
Mental illness affects 73% of the UK’s 2.1 million construction workers, and almost a third endure daily worry.
FMB CEO Brian Berry said:
“National Stress Awareness Day reminds construction workers to prioritise mental wellness. Builders encounter severe working conditions, long days, great physical demands, job uncertainty, and time away from their families, which can affect mental health.
“We need to remove mental health stigma from the workplace and provide spaces where employees can talk about it and seek help. Construction workers have a significantly higher suicide rate compared to the general population. Stress-related absences cost the construction industry millions of pounds annually.
“I would like our members and the wider construction industry to take this opportunity to check in with their teams, promote the support services available, and remind workers that help is always at hand.”
The FMB advises using the Lighthouse Charity helpline and services. CEO Sarah Bolton of Lighthouse Charity added:
“Stress, anxiety, and depression account for 20% of construction-related illnesses, so we should all look out for each other and recognise signs of distress. We can spread support to FMB members and their families by partnering with them. We encourage people to seek help early for any issue.
Construction College Will Acquire a Significant Site to Expand Campus
Original Source: Construction College to Expand Campus with Major Site Acquisition
To enhance its facilities and teaching opportunities, Leeds College of Building (LCB) bought a big property near its North Street Campus.
LCB’s North Street Campus will expand by a third with the 5,000 m² former Vodafone facility on Melbourne Street.
The acquisition would boost LCB’s footprint in an area where it has provided education and skills for 60 years.
Plans are being developed to determine how to utilise the additional space to address regional skills shortfalls. The project needs funding for renovations and specialised equipment to support government priorities for training in infrastructure, sustainability, and new housing.
CEO and Principal Nikki Davis, who represents further education on the Construction Skills Mission Board, said, “We are thrilled to announce the purchase of our neighbouring site. This new acquisition will allow us to train more construction experts and provide a talent pipeline for regional building projects like groundwork.
This expansion enhances our mission as one of the nation’s only Construction Technical Excellence Colleges, developing a key workforce that will drive the construction sector and our economy.
“With the government’s Skills White Paper targeting 60,000 new skilled jobs by the end of this Parliament, we’re optimistic that this project will receive vital investment and support from government and regional partners like the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.”
Construction College Grows
The UK’s only construction and built environment specialist Further Education institution, LCB works with over 800 firms, including NG Bailey, BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall, and JN Bentley.
In August 2025, LCB became one of the first Construction Technical Excellence Colleges. Only 10 English colleges received the status for the 2025-2026 academic year, with LCB representing Yorkshire & the Humber.
To address construction skills shortages, CTEC centres will cooperate with local providers and companies to improve training standards and train up to 40,000 people in high-demand trades by 2029.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said, “It’s fantastic to see Leeds College of Building going from strength to strength, first being recognised as the Technical Excellence College for Construction for all of Yorkshire and the Humber and now expanding into these exciting new premises.
“By training the skilled workers we need for transformational projects like constructing tramlines, building new homes, and retrofitting existing ones, Leeds College of Building puts our region at the epicentre of the nation’s rebuilding effort, creating good jobs and putting more money in people’s
This is an exciting time for LCB, said Nikki Davis. With government and partner support, we can establish a better future for our students and the UK construction sector.”
Holder & Co, Horsforth-based independent commercial property advisors, helped buy the building. LCB’s North Street Campus received another boost with the purchase. A £750k eight-week refurbishment overhauled the campus last year.
After renovation, the Melbourne Street building will join LCB’s South Bank Campus, which opened South Bank 1 in 2015 and South Bank 2 in 2019.
The Largest Christian Monument in the UK is Being Constructed Close to Birmingham
Original Source: Construction begins on UK’s largest Christian monument near Birmingham
After raising £40 million, Britain’s largest Christian monument will be built this week.
An Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer will be built near Coleshill between the M6 and M42 motorways outside Birmingham.
The Möbius strip-shaped structure will be 51 metres tall, twice as tall as the Angel of the North.
The monument will have one million bricks with smartphone-accessible “answered prayer” stories. About 120,000 stories from 125 countries have been submitted, the organisers said.
A groundbreaking ceremony is taking place Wednesday. According to plans, the monument will open in 2028 with 250,000 prayer tiles.
Developers said more than 20,000 donors worldwide have supported the initiative.
The programme was launched by former Leicester City football team chaplain Richard Gamble, who says he had the concept 20 years ago and spent 10 years gathering support.
“I am thrilled to create a monument that will share a million stories of hope and introduce people to Jesus, who answers prayer. We’ve had many delays and problems. He remarked the timing is excellent.
“Eternal Wall is grateful to the thousands of people who have supported this project in any way they can—for every pound donated, every hour volunteered, and every prayer offered to get us here.
Now is the time to construct a sign of optimism… a monument to prayer that preserves our Christian heritage.”
The Royal Institute of British Architects competition picked Snug Architects to design the project, with VSL as the major contractor.
IM Properties, owned by Midlands tycoon Lord Edmiston, provided land for the monument and contributed to its construction.
Once completed, we anticipate that the site will attract 250,000 visitors annually. The proposals include 10 acres of landscaped grounds, a parking park, and a visitor centre and conference centre later.
The group said the site’s infrastructure needs £5.7 million more.
For Lord Edmiston, Eternal Wall is meant to remind our nation and the world of God’s goodness.
“It is a testament to present and future generations of the creator of the universe who has answered many prayers for centuries and still does.
“If we don’t remember the God who protected us in our darkest hours as a nation, we’ll live without his divine guidance and protection. Therefore, I am delighted that my company was a major supporter of this project.”
Summary of today’s construction news
In simple terms, the FMB is encouraging its members and the construction industry at large to make use of this Stress Awareness Day to be transparent, discuss mental health, and refer staff members to essential support services if necessary. Approximately 73% of the 2.1 million construction workers in the UK have experienced mental illness, according to studies, and nearly a third report having anxiety on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, Holder & Co., a Horsforth-based independent commercial property consultant, helped to negotiate the building acquisition. The acquisition is the most recent development for the North Street Campus of LCB. A year ago, the campus underwent an eight-week transformation thanks to a £750k restoration initiative. LCB’s South Bank Campus, which launched its South Bank 1 building in 2015 and South Bank 2 in 2019, will be in line with North Street Campus once the recently purchased Melbourne Street building has been renovated.
Lastly, Lord Edmiston, a businessman from the Midlands, donated the land for the monument through his company, IM Properties, and also helped with the construction. Once completed, the organisers expect the site to attract approximately 250,000 visitors annually. The plans include ten acres of landscaped gardens, a parking lot, and, eventually, a visitor centre and conference complex.
