Supply Chain

Early collaboration among construction-sector partners would give clients, contractors and suppliers a better chance of decarbonising their operations, a recent roundtable discussion heard. But while innovative technology can play an important part in meeting net-zero targets, getting better at the basics is crucial, too. Mike Walter reports On the panel…

The UK steel sector has made a final plea to the government to maintain support on energy costs ahead of a much-anticipated announcement.  On Wednesday (4 January), chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured above) told business leaders that he will reveal in Parliament this week how he plans to protect businesses when…

The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has announced the appointment of a new chief executive following the departure of incumbent Kevin Minton. The trade association for the UK plant-hire sector has over 1,800 members which supply 85 per cent of hired plant to the construction industry. Stu McInroy will join the…

The Scaffolding Association has appealed to business secretary Grant Shapps not to scrap the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR), which are set to expire at the end of the year. The government’s post-Brexit Revocation and Reform Bill is currently making its way through Parliament, containing proposals to automatically scrap more…

Material prices could face double-digit hikes next year, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has warned. Concerns centre in particular on the second and third quarter, when energy prices are expected to be “considerably above” the levels seen prior to the Ukraine war, especially without government support. That is set to…

Ministers are close to finalising plans for a two-pronged package of energy-bills support for businesses – including extra help for steel manufacturers – according to media reports. The Financial Times and Sunday Times reported that chancellor Jeremy Hunt is drawing up a package that would give a lower level of…

The year got off to a bumpy start with a major contractor going under in January. But there was better news for those eyeing up nuclear builds. Here are the stories that Construction News readers flocked to read in 2022. 10. Boost for Rolls-Royce’s Snowdonia nuclear plans In mid-October, Rolls-Royce’s…

Steel production has been forced to halt temporarily this week due to the spiralling cost of energy. UK Steel, the trade body for the sector, warned that production could decline further next year if the government does not extend and improve its support for businesses’ energy costs. The current Energy…

The Cumbria coal mine controversially granted planning permission earlier this month could become a white elephant by the end of the decade, according to senior representatives of the steel industry. The plan to build the mine received the go-ahead earlier this month and is the first coal mine to be…

Builders’ merchant Jewson has been sold to a Danish firm for £740m. The construction retailer was founded in 1836 and has been owned by French company Saint-Gobain since 2000. It currently has 600 branches in the UK. Saint-Gobain exchanged contracts with Stark Group for the former’s its entire distribution business,…