1. Theresa May and the construction industry – what we know so far
Senior figures in the industry gave the thumbs up to Theresa May becoming the new prime minister, though May’s stance on issues that will impact on construction and infrastructure are largely unknown. Read more…
2. Skanska plans robots for next phase of Battersea
Skanska is planning to use robotic technology on Battersea Power Station’s next phase. Last year the contractor received £700,000 from Innovate UK to develop robots and says the technology will be ready for use on a project in nine months. Read more…
3. Brexit bites as construction activity hits lowest point since recession
Figures for June showed the UK’s construction industry experienced its weakest performance since the financial crisis. Activity in the sector shrunk to 46.0, down massively from 51.2 in May, and into contraction for the first time in more than three years. Read more…
4. Revealed: Construction’s biggest H&S fines
Construction companies have been hit with almost £8m in health & safety fines since new penalties came into force at the start of the year in which fines are proportional to turnover, according to new analysis by leading legal firm BLM. Read more…
5. Chinese construction group to invest £1bn in Sheffield
In what is one of the biggest investment deals outside of London, China’s Sichuan Guodong Construction Group has inked a deal with Sheffield City Council to invest up to £1bn over the next 60 years. Read more…
6. London planners step up campaign against iceberg basements ‘epidemic’
In March, plans for a 1,485 sq m basement were submitted to Kensington & Chelsea council by an investment banker. Now London’s planning authorities are trying to crack down on an “underground epidemic” of iceberg basements with tighter regulations. Read more…
7. Drone roofing survey project wins CITB funding
The CITB unveiled the next round of projects for its Flexible and Structured funding, among them a new robot roofing initiative that could dramatically reduce accidents on site. Read more…
8. John Sisk & Son suffers £18m losses
The firm lost £17.8m before tax in 2015 on the back of poor performance of a number of contacts in its UK South division, compared with a £860,000 profit in 2014. The company was hit after problems arose on several big contracts. Read more…
9. Kier looks to sell Mouchel Consulting and streamline business
In a trading update, Kier said it was aiming for “portfolio simplification” and in doing so would be looking to offload its Mouchel consulting business after integration costs spiralled from £15m to £44m. Read more…
10. 500 jobs lost as contractor Dunne collapses
Contractor Dunne Group, which was assigned to a number of significant projects, went into administration in July with the loss of 524 jobs. Read more…
Top in Agenda
New CIOB president Paul Nash – View from the top
With spells at several top consultants, new CIOB president Paul Nash aims to bring influence and authority to the role. He spoke to CM deputy editor James Kenny. Read more…
Top in Comment
What can construction learn from Pokemon Go?
Paul Wilkinson, a technology consultant specialising in construction collaboration tools, on the latest gaming phenomenon sweeping the globe. Read more…
Top in Management
How to get credit where it’s due
Construction companies could save themselves millions of pounds through the R&D tax credit scheme – if only they knew how the system worked. Garry Hague, a director at R and D Tax Specialists, explains. Read more…
Top in International
French nuclear regulator highlights ‘anomaly’ over steel forgings in 18 reactors
French regulatory agency the Nuclear Security Authority (ASN) has revealed that it has concerns that 18 reactors operated by EDF could have similar anomalies to that discovered at the Flamanville reactor in Normandy. Read more…
