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‘Build, Build, Build’: UK Government announces plans to help construction’s recovery
Cashflow continues to be a pressing issue as nearly 40% of firms said current reserves would last less than three months, June construction PMI data points to sharp turnaround as more sites reopened and the supply chain kicked into gear, Kier likely to tap equity markets to bolster its balance sheet after Covid-19 takes its toll on revenues, TfL issues briefing note to construction firms on how to safely use the capital’s public network
Market Update - June 2020
Our June Market Update includes insights from our latest contractor survey, which found that productivity levels on site in England and Wales are generally averaging around at 70-90% of pre-COVID levels.
Government publishes forward-looking pipeline of planned procurements for the 2020/21 financial year
40% drop in construction output in April as all sub-sectors experiencing month-on-month falls, G&T contractor survey reveals that rebalancing labour density on site whilst trying to maintain productivity is proving challenging, construction vacancies fall 54.3% but are still higher than financial crisis lows, Laing O’Rourke: projects on track to return to full productivity by the end of July thanks to direct-delivery operating model and MMC
The Future Office
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many to rethink their physical office space. In planning a logistically-difficult return to the office, organisations appear to be asking fundamental questions about the future design and purpose of the post-pandemic office. Whilst there are still many unknowns, the current pandemic has fuelled a seismic shift that will alter our perceptions of how and why we use offices and workspaces for years to come.
CLC launches industry recovery plan to help supply chain emerge from the pandemic
May’s UK construction PMI reading indicates a softer pace of decline in activity, CPA forecasts construction output will fall by 25% in 2020 but notes that the worst effects on activity are behind us, contractors urge Boris Johnson to prioritise environmental sustainability and low-carbon growth in UK recovery, site activity continues to recover with 93% of infrastructure and construction sites in England and Wales now open (Build UK) plus more news and analysis from across the industry
Local authorities told by Housing Secretary to permit requests to extend site opening hours
v.4 of CLC’s Site Operating Procedures removes requirement for face to face contact to be kept to 15 minutes or less, bespoke COVID-19 clauses drafted into contracts but parties are finding it difficult to agree on risk profile, construction output falls but figures show new order momentum was growing before the lockdown, Deloitte’s London Office Crane Survey - new office construction at all-time high before the pandemic hit plus more news and analysis from the construction industry.
PM ‘actively encourages’ construction firms to return to work but notes limited capacity
Construction PMI plunges in April due to complete stoppages of activity, £9bn of projects returned to site last week as the number of delayed projects continues to fall, new report says that next six weeks will be the most crucial for the survival of cash-strapped contractors, tender opportunities fell in April but new contract awards (by value) rose more than 50% compared to one year ago ,more builders merchants remobilise in wake of latest Government advice and operating guidelines
Health and Wellbeing in Schools
How the built environment impacts health and wellbeing represents a critical and growing area of sustainability. We are increasingly aware of the connection between where we are and how we are. It is no surprise that the newest and most popular sustainability certifications for commercial buildings – the WELL Building Standard and Fitwel – focus on the building/body connection.
The Growth Of Healthy Buildings Is Changing How We Manage Them
What makes us healthy? The things we do, the food we eat, the air we breathe? All these elements play a part, but a new factor is being recognised. Click here to read on.
How Does Construction Emerge from the Pandemic?
A number of proactive steps have been taken to help the industry emerge from the pandemic.
Office Well-Being
Unlike other sustainable items, buildings do not communicate in simple terms what they are made of and why they are good for you. Yet all of us are making stronger connections between where we are and how we are, all the time.
Work resumes on 10% of sites initially suspended at lockdown
RICS: headline workloads fall pointing to virtually no change in activity in Q1 2020, talks between Build UK and Local Government Association to extend permitted site opening hours ongoing, construction machinery equipment makers in China raise prices as sales begin to take off