Encouraging post A level and GCSE students to consider careers in construction

Northern regional specification manager Amaret Chahal, who has co-written some of Actis’ CPD training material,

recently spoke to students at Barnsley College about the joy of construction

 

Actis encourages post A level and GCSE students to consider careers in construction

Students digesting their A level and GCSE results this summer are being encouraged to consider pursuing a career in construction by insulation specialist Actis.

With the new government committing to delivering 1.5 million new homes during the current parliament, the industry needs more people to work in areas such as architecture, planning, quantity surveying, land acquisition, infrastructure and legal work, as well as practical skills like bricklaying and carpentry.

The Skills England Bill announced last month is aimed at addressing a severe labour shortage in the construction industry and, along with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, will pave the way towards creating the homes the government plans to deliver over the coming five years.

Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper says a key element in achieving this aim is to ramp up training opportunities for young people within the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) says a quarter of a million new workers will be required between now and 2028 to achieve this target and the NHBC adds that current build volumes must more than double to hit the government’s goal.

The desire to work in construction is there, at least in younger childhood, according to a recent survey of 100,000 young people by the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC), which found that it is one of the preferred career paths for students by the time they reach 11 years old.

And the CITB has seen almost one million visits to its Go Construct website so far this year, with a third of users under 18 and 33% identifying as female, all of which shows enthusiasm which needs to be matched with opportunity.

Actis is one of the many organisations within the industry encouraging more people to embrace a career in the sector through its school and college outreach initiatives.

Women in Construction ambassador and Actis northern regional sales director Jemma Harris has been involved in a CITB careers event and addressed students at a school in Yorkshire, with the aim of inspiring young women to follow a career in a male-dominated profession.

Northern regional specification manager Amaret Chahal, who has co-written some of Actis’ CPD training material, recently spoke to students at Barnsley College about the joy of construction.

And South-West area sales manager Tom Hendzel has helped out with lectures to construction trainees at Cornwall’s Truro and Penwith College.

The government’s pincer movement – of speeding up new homes delivery through its Planning and Infrastructure Bill and training more people to have the skills to enable this to happen – will also need to involve an increase in Modern Methods of Construction, explained Mark.

Creating more modular, offsite homes, which can be built up to 30% more quickly than traditional brick and block, will not only enable the homes to be delivered more quickly, but will also ensure a consistent quality and more effective thermal efficiency.

 

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MCDONALD’S TO INVEST £1 BILLION IN THE UK

MCDONALD’S TO INVEST £1 BILLION AND CREATE OVER 24, 000 JOBS ACROSS THE UK IN NEXT FOUR YEARS

 

As it celebrates 50 years in the UK, McDonald’s has announced plans to open over 200 new restaurants in the next four years[1], that will create more than 24,000[2] new jobs, signaling a £1bn investment from McDonald’s and its franchisees in the UK and Ireland.

 

These ambitions have been revealed as part of the new report “McDonald’s at 50”, prepared by planning and development consultancy Lichfields, which explores the business’s positive impact on its communities across the country, since its doors first opened on Woolwich high street in 1974.

 

The new restaurants are part of ongoing investment that McDonald’s will make to ensure the business continues to meet evolving customer expectations. The roll out will include testing new restaurant formats, with ‘Drive to’ restaurants recently launched, and additional smaller formats being trialed this year – ensuring every new restaurant meets the needs of the community in which it operates.

 

The plans will also see a renewed focus on opening high street restaurants, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to supporting successful high streets across the country as town and city centers continue to evolve and respond to a variety of challenges.

 

Alongside new restaurants, the business will continue to upgrade and reimage more than 1,500 existing restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

 

The “McDonald’s at 50” report tells the story of the massive contribution McDonald’s makes to the UK economy. In 2023 alone, it details the more than £2bn spent by McDonald’s with UK-based suppliers and farmers, and the 209,475 jobs that were supported by McDonald’s across the UK.

 

Looking back over the last five years, the report outlines the £618 million invested by McDonald’s in delivering new restaurants and upgrades that provide the best possible customer experience, alongside almost £1.37 billion spent by McDonald’s’ UK based suppliers, investing in improving their production and distribution, in the same period.

 

Accumulatively over the 50 years McDonald’s has been operating in the UK, the report also reveals the huge £94.45 billion figure the business has contributed to the UK economy since first opening its doors (further details below).

 

The report also highlights that:

  • 209,475 jobs were supported by McDonald’s across the UK in 2023, including 171,415 people employed by McDonald’s and its franchisees directly.
  • £618 million was invested by McDonald’s in delivering new restaurants and upgrades to provide the best possible customer experience, between 2018-2023
  • 41 new restaurants were opened by McDonald’s in 2023, the highest number in two decades
  • £14.8 million was raised for charity by McDonald’s, its customers and franchisees, in 2023, including £10.3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, and £4.5 million for local charities, donated by franchisees
  • Over £4 million has been raised for BBC Children in Need since 2021. McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need have also worked together to launch Makin’ It: a nationwide initiative that partners McDonald’s restaurants with local youth projects and youth workers to provide young people with genuine opportunity in the areas they live in
  • Over £51.56 billion has been spent by McDonald’s with UK-based suppliers and farmers since 1974
  • Over £2bn was spent by McDonald’s with UK-based suppliers and farmers in 2023 alone.
  • £94.45 billion (Gross Value Added, approx.) has been contributed to the UK economy since McDonald’s opened its doors 50 years ago. This includes the impact of McDonald’s restaurants, as well as the additional activity across its supply chain and the wider economy.
  • During 2023 our UK based suppliers invested over £100 million improving their production and distribution, and this figure rises to almost £1.37 billion, over the past 5 years, representing a significant level of capital investment.

 

Alistair Macrow, CEO, McDonald’s UK&I, said:

“We have come a long way since we first opened our doors in Woolwich 50 years ago. We have become an important part of communities across the UK, and I’m delighted that in this milestone year we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to growth, and announce the creation of new jobs across the country as we plan to open over 200 new restaurants over the next four years.

“It’s a moment to celebrate, and also to look ahead to what’s next. Whether that’s continuing to provide the best value for our customers, investing in our restaurants, supporting our suppliers across the UK or launching new initiatives for young people where our communities need them most.

“We’re proud of what we have delivered in the last 50 years and are committed to investing in new opportunities and supporting growth across the UK.”

 

 

2023 Regional Breakdown

Location Economic Output (GVA) Jobs Supply Chain Expenditure
Scotland £457.2m 15,425 £42.9m
Northern Ireland £332.0m 6,625 £183.9m
North West £767.1m 25,100 £113.7m
North East £252.4m 8,600 £9.8m
Yorkshire & Humber £974.2m 17,670 £557.2m
East Midlands £435.5m 16,625 £112.1m

 

East of England £819.9m 22,625 £338.9m
London £832.6m 24,945 £87.6m
South East £801.4m 26,675 £204.2m
South West £394.6m 14,090 £24.6m
West Midlands £811.7m 19,310 £302.6m
Wales £369.5m 11,195 £112.1m
Other (Isle of Man, Channel Island and Homeworkers) £10.9m 595 £670,000

 

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The Electric Air Taxi Industry

Skyports Infrastructure has been given the green light from planning authorities to build the UK’s first permanent vertiport testbed for the electric air taxi industry. 

Alongside partners Bicester Motion and OEM Vertical Aerospace, the 444-acre future mobility site will be located in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

“This facility will become a hub for testing our ground operations, proprietary technology stack, and integration with flight operations,” Addison Ferrell, Director of Skyports Infrastructure, told Zag Daily.

“The UK has a strong aviation history, which will continue to prosper as we and our industry partners develop the next generation of quiet, electric, vertical flight. As we transition into the build phase and progress through testing and development, the insights we gain will be crucial in defining the future of the UK’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.”

New images have been released today showing the vertiport adjacent to Bicester Motion’s existing generational aviation grass runways, where it will continue the airfield’s long history of aerospace innovation. The vertiport will include a 160 square metre passenger terminal.

Vertical Aerospace’s latest VX4 prototype will be the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to fly at the vertiport. This is designed to be piloted, carry four passengers and has a range of up to 100 miles. The company successfully completed its first tethered piloted flight in July and is now progressing through its piloted test flight programme.

Source: Zag Daily

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Proposed Reservoir Seeks Major Earthworks Companies

Companies interested in delivering the major earthworks programme for Thames Water’s proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire are invited to take part in a supplier engagement exercise.

The reservoir, known as SESRO (South East Strategic Reservoir Option), is a nationally significant infrastructure project that would guarantee the water supply of 15 million people across the South East, serving Thames Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water customers.

Ground investigations, embankment trials and environmental surveys are already underway, under carefully controlled conditions, at the proposed site for the reservoir near Abingdon. The fieldwork programme will help to inform an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate in 2026.

Indicative designs and an interim master plan for the new reservoir, which has a capacity of up to150 million cubic metres (150 Mm3) and a surface area of approximately seven square kilometres (7km2), are currently subject to a 12-week public consultation which will close on 28th August 2024.

If Development Consent is granted in 2028, construction is expected to start in 2029.

Thames Water’s supply chain and procurement team is now beginning the process of engaging interested businesses to outline the broad range of contract opportunities that will stem from the proposed construction programme.

For the critical excavation element, the scale of opportunity for companies that specialise in earthworks and heavy plant machinery is significant. It is estimated that around 45 million cubic metres (45 Mm3) of material will be excavated and moved to build the reservoir’s embankment structures, which range in height between approximately 15 and 25 metres. The majority of the earthworks are expected to be carried out across six main summer working seasons (March to October).

Mohit Farmah, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain at Thames Water said:

“It’s vital that we start talking to businesses now about the opportunities that could be coming their way. Early engagement will ensure we have a pipeline of interested companies in place and ready to bid for contracts as soon as they are released.

“If SESRO is approved for construction, it will generate hundreds of new contract opportunities for businesses to capitalise on.”

As an initial step, companies with an interest in delivering the proposed earthworks programme are invited to complete a short market sounding questionnaire. A market brief, which provides further information on the SESRO earthworks programme, and the accompanying questionnaire can be found here or at:

Thames Water is seeking responses by the 30 August 2024.

Thames Water is also conducting future market engagement for SESRO and its wider portfolio of major infrastructure projects. To find out more, and to register your company’s details, click or visit:

 

Source: Thames Water
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The Dangers of Silica Dust

COMMENT

 

Ridwaan Omar, a Partner and Head of Regulatory in the Insurance team at Forbes Solicitors, commented:

 

“The cutting, sanding, drilling, sawing, polishing and carving of quartz can create a fine dust called Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). Exposure to the silica dust risks an incurable lung disease.

“Current legislation controlling exposure to silica dust is set out within “The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)”, which other than the requirement to ensure that the risks are assessed, requires employers to implement measures to minimise workers exposure to harmful silica dust.

“Measures may include ensuring that there is “local exhaust ventilation” to capture and remove airborne contaminants at source, and the use of water to suppress dust during cutting and grinding processes. In addition, employers are required to prevent or control exposure to RCS through the provision of suitable and adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including respiratory protective equipment, when the risk cannot be controlled by engineering controls alone.

“Regulations also require the monitoring of silica dust within a workplace to ensure that exposure limits do not exceed the Workplace Exposure Limit of 0.1mg/m3 respirable dust, (averaged over 8 hours). There is also a requirement to have a regular health surveillance of workers exposed to silica dust.

“However, despite these regulations, recent inspections and reports indicate that compliance is, at best, inconsistent, and particularly among small and medium sized companies. The HSE have sought to raise awareness through targeted guidance, campaigns, and site inspections. In July 2023, the HSE launched a new inspection operation focusing on manufacturing businesses that use materials containing silica, to ensure businesses are complying with regulations to protect workers from dust exposure.

“Health professionals including the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) have warned that there is a growing number of people, including young workers, contracting silicosis and are calling for tougher safety measures to address rising cases of silicosis among workers in the quartz worktop industry. While BOHS is not calling for a ban of engineered stone worktops, they are calling for the HSE to improve its safety guidance. The question is whether the existing regulations are sufficient to address those health risks?”

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Blurring the lines between green and grey

As the UK Government seeks to address the nation’s housing crisis, ambitious plans are being put forward to curb the profits that landowners can make from selling green belt land for development.

In a move to meet Labour’s target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2030, ministers are considering radical changes to the existing planning framework, which could see local councils empowered to purchase green belt land at prices significantly below its market value.

A New Approach to Housing Development

The proposed changes stem from a need to tackle the escalating housing demand, particularly in high-pressure areas around London and the South East. England’s green belt, encompassing over 6,300 square miles or approximately 13% of the country’s land, has long been a protective barrier against urban sprawl. However, as housing targets become more aggressive, the focus has shifted towards utilising this land more effectively, including its so-called “grey belt” areas – land that is of lower environmental or agricultural value.

Under the new proposals, local authorities may gain the power to compulsorily purchase green belt land at a “benchmark” value. This value would be set below the typical market rate for similar plots outside the green belt, effectively limiting the windfall gains that landowners could expect when their land is earmarked for development. The Government’s rationale is clear: by curbing the financial incentives, the cost of land acquisition for housing projects could be reduced, thereby facilitating the construction of more affordable homes.

Balancing Development and Preservation

This initiative comes at a time when the Government is under pressure to deliver on its housing promises. Experts have pointed out that to meet these targets, development cannot be confined to brownfield sites or low-quality grey belt land. Significant greenfield development may be unavoidable, especially in areas where property prices are high and the need for housing is critical.

Despite these pressures, the Government is keen to emphasise that any development on green belt land will come with stringent conditions. For instance, it is proposed that 50% of the new homes on such sites must be classified as affordable, and that these developments must be supported by essential infrastructure.

However, this approach is not without its detractors. Environmental campaigners and countryside protection groups are likely to oppose any encroachment on the green belt, arguing that it risks undermining the very purpose of these protected areas. There are also concerns that the concept of “grey belt” land is being used to blur the lines, potentially leading to the degradation and development of land that is currently greenfield.

Compulsory Purchase and the Market

One of the most controversial aspects of the proposals is the potential use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to acquire land. This legal mechanism, while powerful, is often seen as a last resort due to its complexity and the potential for lengthy disputes. Critics argue that by setting land values below market rates, the government may inadvertently disincentivise landowners from selling, leading to delays in the availability of land for housing.

A senior industry source has warned that the reliance on CPOs could backfire, suggesting that the process is too slow to meet the urgent need for land. They argue that rather than capping land values, the government should focus on clearly defining the requirements for affordable housing and allow the market to adjust accordingly.

Potential for Policy Manipulation

There are also fears that some landowners may manipulate the system by deliberately degrading their land to classify it as grey belt, thus making it eligible for development. This has raised alarms among environmental groups, who worry that such tactics could lead to the loss of valuable greenfield sites under the guise of urban expansion.

The countryside charity CPRE has expressed concerns that the government’s proposals might lead to a situation where grey belt policies are exploited, resulting in greenfield land being developed. They argue that more emphasis should be placed on utilising existing brownfield sites, which they believe could provide space for 1.2 million homes.

Final Thought

As the Government continues to consult on these proposals, the debate over the future of the green belt is set to intensify. While the need for more housing is undeniable, the challenge will be in balancing this demand with the preservation of England’s cherished rural landscapes. Whether the proposed capping of land profits will accelerate or hinder this process remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the stakes are high for all parties involved.

Independent policy institute, Curia will be launching their planning and housing programme in the Autum to deliver implementable solutions to assist with the delivery of the Government’s house building target.

Source: Chamber UK

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How to Self Build a Flood Resistant Wall

The incredible story of how Nick and his wife Annie are fighting to protect their home from  flooding and offers practical insights on how to self-build a flood resistant wall

Drawing on their personal experiences of flooding at their Worcestershire home, Nick and Annie Lupton have today published an e-book, “The Great Wall of Pixham: Our Journey and Practical Guide to Building a Flood Wall”. It reports on their experiences of building a flood wall around the perimeter of their 17th century home, providing invaluable insights and step-by-step guidance for others considering a flood wall to help protect their home.

The Lupton’s bought Pixham House in 2016, fully aware that the area was prone to flooding. While in a beautiful location, it is in the middle of the River Severn flood plain. The house already had a series of flood resilience measures in place, which worked well in holding back the water, however their long-term fear was that the house would start to suffer structurally. Taking the matter in their own hands, they took the bold decision to build a wall around the entire perimeter of the property.

The wall has since withstood three floods, working exceptionally well to protect the structure of the house while making the couple’s lives more manageable during a flood.

Nick has written the e-book to offer a detailed view on the steps they took, which he hopes will support other homeowners, seeking to protect their properties from the effects of flooding.

Confirms Nick:

“For us, the wall has been a complete game changer. When flooding occurs, we now have a dry layer of land between the house and the wall giving us peace of mind. We featured on the BBC in January 2024 and, since then, have been inundated with interest from people in how we did it, what we did, and seeking advice. The e-book documents the entire process and we hope many people will benefit from observing our project, from the perspective of a non-construction professional.”

‘The Great Wall of Pixham’ e-book provides step-by-step guidance, including:
– Where do you start – is a flood wall right for your home?
– Permissions and consents;
– Designing the wall;
– Materials used;
– Project management;
– The building phase;
– Lessons learnt.

The e-book, which is hosted on the FloodMary.com website, is packed with practical advice, backed by thorough research and real-world application, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to mitigate the risk of flooding.

Adds Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, property flood resilience champion and former flood victim, FloodMary.com,

“Nick originally featured in my e-book, which details example of Property Flood Resilience measures that real homeowners have installed. Now, Nick has gone a massive step further with building this significant wall to help resist the mighty River Severn. The interest in their flood wall has been staggering and so I’m delighted to host the e-book on my FloodMary.com website. Nick and Annie’s guide is inspiring and, by sharing their learnings, the hope is to make the process a little less daunting for others thinking of doing the same.”

Concludes Nick;

“Pixham House has a rich history and we want to preserve it for the future. If we hadn’t have built the flood wall, I fear the longevity of the building would have been compromised. Now, we have seen the wall in action and we are proud of what we have achieved. Flooding can be a devastating experience, but with the right knowledge and preparation, we show that it is possible to safeguard your home – and your sanity!”

Thanks to the sponsors of the e-book, including Lakeside Flood Solutions, Direct Pumps & Tanks, Ibstock, Retaining Wall Solutions, and Flood Mary, for making the publication of our guide possible.

“The Great Wall of Pixham: Our Journey and Practical Guide to Building a Flood Wall ”

is available to download now  CLICK HERE

 

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Schlüter®-DILEX-F movement joints redefining the tiling landscape

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Adding to its well established and diverse product range, Schlüter®-Systems has developed the Schlüter®-DILEX-F movement joint system to transform the appearance of tiled floors; completely changing the landscape in terms of visual impact: replacing the discordant intrusion of conventional movement joints with a much more discrete and elegant alternative.

 

An ideal solution for statement kitchens and connected dining or open plan living space, DILEX-F presents a well-engineered set of fully compatible components designed to address a technically and aesthetically challenging task facing flooring and fit-out specialists in both residential and commercial scenarios.  The effect is to skilfully overcome  typical reservations about using movement joints.

 

Where, for instance, it is necessary to butt lengths of movement joint together across large floor areas – normally creating highly visible and jarring discontinuities – the DILEX-FCS carrier profiles are unified using the DILEX-FIS insert which is supplied in 30m roll lengths that are easily cut to length and inserted at the very end of the job, when other trades have finished their potentially damaging activities.  In the interim, the FCS profiles are protected by an orange strip. Then a special tool is supplied with each roll of DILEX-FIS insert, which is used to clean the channel after the orange protection strip is removed; with the handy device also serving to push the colour matched insert snugly into place.

 

Another feature of the DILEX-F system is that the rectified tiles – avoiding any cut edges – are laid tight up against the DILEX-FCS profiles, rather than leaving a gap for grout between the tiles and the movement joint; this being a key factor in Schlüter®-System’s fully functional yet barely visible insertion.

 

Manufactured from recycled rigid PVC, the DILEX-FCS carrier profiles have been developed to be set in place on the substrate using standard cementitious tile adhesive, prior to the commencement of tiling operations: with a choice of four heights rising from 9-12.5mm, to suit a variety of tile thicknesses.  The profile legs are pushed into the tiling adhesive, spread with a notched trowel and aligned both longitudinally and to the correct level before being allowed to set.  The flooring tiles are then laid flush with the top of the profile and any excess adhesive cleaned off immediately.

 

Importantly, the pliant, cross-linked silicone DILEX-FIS profile, which is available in 10 different colours to match or contrast with common grout colours, incorporates an anti-stretch ‘tendon’, and a double arrowhead shaped stem to resist stretching or being accidentally dislodged.  Ultimately it presents a pristine and resilient feature joint able to absorb both compressive and tensile forces resulting from thermal or structural movement across the zone.  The DILEX-FIS can, however, be replaced if desired.

 

As well as being physically robust and able to withstand impact or long-term wear from foot traffic, DILEX-F is resistant to mould growth and bacteria and requires only routine cleaning with standard detergent products.  The surface finish to the soft insert is, meanwhile, resistant to dirt particles adhering or becoming embedded.  It is recommended to install the tiling and DILEX-F profiles in combination with a decoupling membrane from the manufacturer’s DITRA range to help ensure a long, trouble-free installation.

 

In addition to its accessible and well-illustrated website, Schlüter®-Systems offers a comprehensive technical advisory service able to advise on the specification of movement joints: including the DILEX-KS, which might be recommended where greater degrees of movement are anticipated.  However, as well as residential settings, the DILEX-F system can be utilised in locations where medium traffic loads are anticipated, such as for commercial offices and even car showrooms.

 

For further information CLICK HERE to visit the website

or call 01530 813396

 

 

 

For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk/

 

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Energy Super Highway Approved

A multi-billion pound subsea cable that can shift vast amounts of renewable electricity between Scotland and England has been given the go-ahead by regulators.

SSEN Transmission says the energy transfer project is needed to move energy around the grid on days when the wind doesn’t blow or demand is high.

The two 315-mile (507km) cables will run from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire and will initially work alongside a similar link down the west coast.

It is part of wider moves to modernise and increase capacity on the energy transmission network for the shift away from fossil fuels to tackle climate change.

Although the link can carry electricity in both direction, the majority is expected to flow out of Scotland.

The project has been assessed by Ofgem as costing £3.4bn however SSEN says inflationary pressures mean it will now come in at £4.3bn.

The country is already a net-exporter of electricity meaning more leaves Scotland than is imported.

But the bi-directional link will also enable electricity to be imported when needed, such as on days of low wind.

A new converter station is being built close to Peterhead power station from where high voltage direct current cables will be laid on the seabed.

The cables will hit land near Bridlington in East Yorkshire where they will be buried underground to Drax and connected into the national grid.

The connection will be large enough to carry enough renewable electricity to power two million homes.

The project will be the first of four subsea electricity links planned along the east coast with the eventual capacity capable of powering 7.5 million homes.

Approval has been given in just five months under the regulator Ofgem’s fast track process.

Energy analyst Sepi Golzari-Munro says the links are vital to modernise the transmission network.

She added: “We’re obviously trying to have cleaner electricity from renewable sources but what this also does, crucially, is improve our energy security and will ultimately bring down bills.”

Approval for Eastern Green Link 2 is likely to be quickly followed by Eastern Green Link 1 connecting Torness in East Lothian with Seaham in County Durham.

The two initial projects are expected to be followed by connections between Peterhead and Lincolnshire and then between Kinghorn in Fife and Norfolk.

They will work alongside the Western Green Link which runs between Hunterston in Ayrshire and the Flintshire Bridge on the border between England and Wales.

Opened in 2017, the 240 mile cable has transmitted more than 23,000 GWh of green energy in its first five years.

Claire Mack from the industry body Scottish Renewables says it is harnessing abundant natural resources.

She said: “In the same way that we’ve exported {oil} from the North Sea for the last four decades and beyond, the same thing is the case with renewables.”

While ground work in Peterhead is already underway, the offshore cable laying is expected to begin in 2028 with the first transmission of electricity due the following year.

Project director Ricky Saez describes Ofgem’s decision as a “major milestone” on top of approvals being given for onshore work by Aberdeenshire Council.

Source: BBC

 

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Skills England Bill – Will it Get Britain Building?

The Labour party has aimed high and set itself the ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes over their five-year term. After a rocky year in the construction industry, this is exactly what we need; bold targets will jumpstart activity in the sector. But the government will need to consider every potential hurdle if it is to get its homes off the ground.

Labour has recognised that its mission will require significant reforms to planning laws and environmental rules, which is a positive start. It has been gutsy in its approach to these issues, which is absolutely necessary if we are to turn the page on a stagnant period for housebuilding and “get Britain building again”. There is one problem area, though, which the government has attacked with rather less urgency: the worker shortage.

The worker shortage has been confronting our sector for some time. Since 2019, we have lost 300,000 workers, who have taken their years of expertise with them. Now the workforce is stretched to the point of snapping, just as Labour orders more and more building projects.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) reports that private housing is one of the top three areas bearing the brunt of the shortage. Many of the skilled workers that are required for building homes, including roofers, electricians and carpenters, are in short supply. This, surely, should mean that tackling the issue is at the top of the government’s to-do list.

Some may be under the impression that Rachel Reeves’s plans to scrap major infrastructure projects like the Stonehenge tunnel and the Restoring Your Railways project would give us some breathing room, but the reality is that there are still not enough hands on deck.

With the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station works set to begin in October of this year, and plans to build more prisons, schools, laboratories, and data centres (the list goes on), demand for skilled workers is only going to increase. The construction workforce is made up of some of the most dedicated professionals who put in long hours and tireless effort, but there simply is not enough of them to meet demand.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has presented us with the Skills England Bill as a potential solution but, while this policy has well-meaning foundations, it’s no miracle antidote.

The initiative is designed to patch over the UK-wide skills gap by freeing up apprenticeship levy funding. Companies would have more choice over how they use the funding, and could select courses in the skills that they are most in need of – a reform to the older, more rigid system that I am in favour of.

Skills England may provide a long-term fix for the skills squeeze that the construction sector is feeling, but ministers will need to conjure up a much speedier solution if they want to see their vision of 1.5 million new homes realised. Apprentices don’t magically learn skills overnight; it will take years to build up the workforce we need if we rely solely on this policy.

I’m all for encouraging young people into the industry – after all, it is home to some of the most innovative, solution-driven thinkers that this country has. A career in construction can provide young people with practical skills and the opportunity to climb through the ranks to a well-paid and rewarding career, but sadly not everybody shares my view. The truth is that many are disinterested in a career in construction. In CITB’s Migration and Construction Report, many employers singled this out as the reason for why they are so understaffed.

So, even if apprenticeships could be completed overnight, I’m not sure the uptake would be enough. CITB reports that 251,500 more workers will be needed to meet UK construction output by 2028 – that’s a pretty sizeable number that’s going to require more than just apprenticeships.

When announcing the policy, Starmer argued that we should not be “pulling the easy lever on importing skills”. However migrant workers are incredibly important on and off construction sites. This “imported” talent brings with it years of experience and will be pivotal to the government’s plans to boost housebuilding.

If we lose migrant talent now, Labour’s targets are looking unrealistic.

The skills shortage is already hurting the sector and we cannot afford to exacerbate the issue. The government must keep this top of mind as they look to implement new immigration policies. Shut overseas talent out, and it risks a construction activity slump that will be costly to the sector as well as to the UK’s economic growth.

The worker shortage must be tackled with the same vigour that Labour have approached restrictive planning and environmental laws. Now is not the time for idealistic, long-term fixes – they must be bold in searching for a solution that will fill the skills gap now.

Source: Reaction

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