Master Builder Magazine: June-July 2023

NEWS IN NUMBERS

12.8% The annual house building cost inflation percentage at the end of 2022. Source: BCIS Private Housing Construction Cost Index

Net zero timber skills launched

T imber Development UK has launched its Timber Skills Action plan in partnership with the HCI Skills Gateway to support the construction industry to increase the use of timber and achieve net zero targets. Engineered products such as Cross-Laminated Timber can capture and store carbon in the built environment, resulting in a net benefit of 754CO 2 /m 2 reduction compared with other forms of construction. The Timber Skills Action plan will provide development of training programmes and Continuing £60m fines for rigging bids Ten demolition firms have been fined £60 million by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for illegally colluding to fix bids for demolition and asbestos removal contracts between 2013 and 2018. The CMA also disqualified three directors of firms involved in bid rigging across £150 million worth of contracts. The CMA said rigging the bids deceived customers into thinking the bids were competitive – but this was not the case.

Professional Development (CPD) progression.

David Hopkins, Chief Executive of Timber Development UK, said: “The construction industry faces a steep climb to achieve net zero targets as one of the worst- performing industries. Timber provides a ready-made solution that doesn’t rely on greenwashing, speculative innovations, or progress in other industries to deliver genuine carbon savings in the short and medium term. We now need the construction sector and government to hear this call to action.”

150 The number of construction industry volunteers supporting a national drive to reduce

suicide rates amongst construction workers. Source: Make It Visible

The guilty firms include: Brown and Mason (£2.4m) Cantillon (£1.9m) Clifford Devlin (£423,615)

DSM (£1.4m) Erith (£17.5m)

JF Hunt (£5.6m) Keltbray (£16m) McGee (£3.7m) Scudder (£8.2m) Squibb (£2m)

3X Construction workers are

three times more likely than others to commit suicide . An important reminder during May’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Source: ONS

Brown and Mason, Cantillon, Clifford Devlin, DSM, John F Hunt, Keltbray, McGee and Scudder agreed to reduced fines by admitting their involvement.

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