Weekly Policy Update |
up to Friday 28th July 2025

Our engagement

 The Constructing Excellence Procurement Group is responding to the Government consultation on amendments to the Procurement Act 2023 (please see Public Procurement: Growing British industry, jobs and skills (HTML) – GOV.UK). There are a number of consultation points around direct spend with SMEs, prompt payment, embedding social value and a mandated “make or buy” test as part of the procurement strategy: all specific points of interest to construction procurement experts and one where the unique nature of construction and construction-related processes may offer a different view to the consultation.

To this end, we think it is appropriate that we submit a consultation response from the Constructing Excellence Procurement Group – we will not identify or quote the views of individual members within our response – so do feel free to send us your comments, views, opinions in reproducible format with impunity – and we will produce a collaborative response. Even if you are responding via your own organisation – please send us comments as the more responses included, the greater the clout!  The consultation closes on 5 September 2025. Please send over any input on our response to helpdesk@constructingexcellence.org.uk by Friday 15 August. 

The week in policy

Guidance on Building Control Approval Applications for a new Higher-Risk Building (Gateway 2)

The Construction Leadership Council has published a suite of guidance on Building Control Approval Applications for a new Higher-Risk Building (Gateway 2).

This guidance has been produced by the CLC, industry stakeholders and the Building Safety Regulator.  It provides the baseline principles to guide those involved in submitting and assessing applications and includes practical recommendations on the approach and submission of relevant information.

Read the CLC guidance here.

Sir James Cleverly MP appointed as Shadow Secretary of State for MHCLG 

Kemi Badenoch appointed Sir James Cleverly MP as the Shadow Secretary of State for MHCLG, replacing Kevin Hollinrake MP who will become party Chair. Gareth Bacon MP has also become a housing minister. 

Reforming the waste exemptions system  

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Welsh Government are reforming the waste exemptions system to reduce waste crime and misuse of exemptions plus improve environmental protection. This will likely lead to stricter regulations and more oversight for construction and demolition waste, particularly impacting using waste in construction, treating waste wood, storing waste in secure containers, and storing waste at a secure site. Overall, specific construction activities, like building a noise bund or creating paths may be more closely scrutinised or require permits.   

The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announces plans for a more flexible electricity system 

DESNZ has published the clean flexibility roadmap, setting out the government’s vision for a clean, flexible, consumer-focused electricity system. The government states more households will be able to benefit from shifting their electricity use, including through off-peak discounts for electric vehicle drivers and new requirements for suppliers to make smart tariff information more accessible. The department has published a consultation on the best approach to engage consumers on consumer-led flexibility. 

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) selects 12 universities and research institutions to deliver the Global Talent Fund 

DSIT has selected 12 universities and research institutions to deliver the new £54m Global Talent Fund designed to attract 60-80 top researchers to the UK. The fund will target researchers for the eight high priority sectors outlined in the government’s industrial strategy. 

Independent Water Commission’s Final Report 

The final report of the Independent Water Commission’s calls for a complete overhaul of England and Wales’s water system, recommending 88 reforms to restore public trust, ensure environmental resilience, and modernise infrastructure. Key proposals include a National Water Strategy with 25-year planning, creation of a single, integrated water regulator, compulsory water metering, real-time pollution monitoring, and significant investment in infrastructure. The report anticipates up to a 30% rise in consumer bills by 2030, alongside stronger protections such as a national social tariff and a new water ombudsman. 

In the news

Contractors brace for more pain as material prices climb | Construction Enquirer News

Expert panel to review poor-quality retrofits installed under government schemes – Inside Housing 

NatWest launches £500m loan to deliver homes for social rent – Inside Housing 

Political earthquakes beneath UK’s infrastructure plans – Financial Times 

Mayoral authorities to feature in 2026 UK infrastructure pipeline upgrade – Construction News 

Coming up next week

Parliament is on recess, returning Monday 1 September.