Construction is a strategically important sector to the UK economy, accounting for 7% of the labour market and expected to create 179,000 new jobs by 2022. It is also under the spotlight given the critical role it will play in the Industrial Strategy, and via the Construction Sector Deal, whilst the sector’s predicted spend of £500bn by 2025 serves to underline its contribution. Bev Hurley, Chair of the Institute of Economic Development, explains more.

Cultivating a happy workforce has become an increased priority for businesses globally. Enlightened companies understand their role and responsibility in ensuring the wellbeing of their employees at work and there is growing evidence that when employees are happy, organisations thrive. Jitesh Patel, CEO of Peldon Rose, explores further.

While flat roofs are a superb roof covering solution, failing to factor in fire risks during hot works at the design stage can have catastrophic consequences. Daniel Tucker, Systems Product Manager at BMI UK & Ireland, discusses the NFRC’s Safe2Torch campaign and associated manufacturer support.

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, the negative spotlight on cladding materials had a major knock-on effect for the construction industry, from builders and sub-contractors to architecture firms. Days after the incident, cladding installed on buildings more than 18m in height was called into question by the Government, leading to significant increases in premiums for Professional Indemnity Insurance. Bryan Banbury, Managing Director of leading independent insurance broker Russell Scanlan, discusses the impact on the insurance industry and advises how companies can plan ahead when renewing policies.

With immigration, the economy and trade being at the forefront of the Brexit discussion over the last two years, little noise has been made about the impact this will have on the country’s construction industry, comments Michael Slater, Regional Operational Manager at Western Thermal.