Weekly Policy Update |
up to Friday 26th September 2025

Construction Leadership Council Launches Mental Health Consultation

Have your say on mental health in construction.  Following a series of workshops with Mates in Mind and University of Warwick, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has launched a consultation to address the root causes of poor mental health in our sector. This consultation invites views on what can be done to eliminate or reduce these causes.  The consultation closes on 5 November 2025.  More info here: https://lnkd.in/evBG_wrS
As the secretariat for the CLC’s Health, Safety & Wellbeing Working Group,  Constructing Excellence encourages all industry members to get involved. Your input is vital to building a strong evidence base for meaningful change.   Please take part and help shape a healthier future for our sector. Complete the consultation here: https://lnkd.in/ef2T-mNt

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs launches consultation on water efficiency standards 

The government has launched a new consultation on Part G (domestic) of the English Building Regulations, which sets water efficiency standards for new-build properties. The consultation proposes new requirements that “could see all new homes fitted with water-saving features such as aerated taps and showerheads, and dual flush toilets.”  With the government target of 1.5m new homes by 2029, this will be an important measure to reduce the impact of new homes on already water-stressed such as Cambridge and North Sussex. Water efficiency in homes also delivers energy and carbon savings, by reducing hot water demand. The proposed design standard should deliver savings of around 20 litres per person per day (l/p/d) compared to current standards: the proposal is for a standard of 122 l/p/d “as part of the trajectory to achieving 110 l/p/d household water use by 2050.” Defra notes this could save £111 a year on energy and water bills in new homes.  

The consultation closes on Sunday 16 December. 

Future Homes and Buildings Standard changes

Meanwhile, we are expecting a final decision on the Future Homes and Buildings Standard changes to Parts L (energy/carbon) and Part (F) ventilation by the end of the year. These changes should see all new buildings constructed with low carbon – rather than gas or other fossil fuel fossil fuel – heating systems. There is also a consultation open on similar changes to Parts L, F and O (overheating) in Wales. 

Green light for record number of major infrastructure projects 

A “record” 21 decisions have been made on major infrastructure projects such as wind farms, airports, and roads in the last year, the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government has announced. The government also aims to have made 150 decisions of this nature by the end of its term. In June, the government launched its Infrastructure Strategy with a key focus on policies and programmes to unlock the pace of development, such as through changes in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. 

Ofgem launches consultation on requirement to lower standing charge tariffs 
Energy regulator Ofgem has launched a consultation seeking feedback on introducing new rules to require energy suppliers to offer customers at least one lower standing charge tariff option.  BBC News report that some industry commentators have criticised the move as unlikely to result in any significant decrease in energy bills. However, proponents of the move argue that changed pricing – by making bills based more firmly on the actual amount of energy used – can promote energy efficient behaviour from consumers.

Reports, commentary and insight 

Home Builders Federation co-launches “Partner a College” initiative 
The Home Builders Federation has launched a national initiative with ten further education colleges which will serve as a two-year pilot to try to bridge the gap between education and employment in the construction industry. These colleges will work in close partnership with a diverse group of home builders ranging from national developers to regionally-focused small and medium enterprises and suppliers spread across the country. 

PwC publishes UK construction sector forecast 

The consultancy PwC has announced it expects the UK construction sector to continue to grow in 2025, with real output rising by 1%. This is despite high interest rates and subdued private sector demand. The report also highlights how the infrastructure services sector is also currently receiving record investment.  

Almost 1.5 million homes could be built on brownfield sites in England, report finds 

The countryside charity CPRE has claimed that almost 1.5 million new homes could be built on brownfield sites in England, The Guardian reports. The CPRE study calls for more government action and is critical of some developers’ decision to seek to instead build on green belt land and in areas of outstanding natural beauty. 

In the news

Procurement update: The importance of navigating frameworks | Features | Building

Contractors hike bid margins as risk fears grow | Construction Enquirer News

Charity urges overhaul of visa rules to tackle construction worker exploitation | Construction News

Four in ten firms adopt ‘opportunistic and ad hoc’ stance on innovation | Construction News