Blogs

Since the start of the pandemic, material prices in construction have risen sharply, and now, factors such as the war in Ukraine and inflation have only exasperated things.  

Timber, steel, concrete, and tiles for roofing have seen the biggest increases. However, other materials have seen significant increases, too, such as plastics, quarry, and other metals such as aluminium, lead, cast iron, and copper.

On the 27th of June 2019, the government declared the net zero emissions law. This required the UK to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050. However, for this to happen, significant changes must be made. For example, in their heat and building strategy, the government has outlined that they require high-efficiency, low-carbon buildings to help meet their target.

Modern methods of construction (MMC) are increasingly viewed as a way to deal with the UK’s housing problems, thanks to increased production speed and the quality of the final product. LHC interim Managing Director, Elaine Elkington investigates how this approach also supports the Government’s levelling up agenda.

Five months on from Professor David Mosey’s ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ report, I meet Claire Bailey-Jones, head of business development from Novus Property Solutions – a supplier with which LHC Group has a longstanding working relationship – to discuss the key lessons the sector can learn to make tangible, practical differences.

Anyone working in planning or communications will be familiar with the concept of “hard to reach” audiences. It is used to refer to members of a community whose voices haven’t been fully represented during a consultation or engagement process, often because there has been some form of barrier or challenge in communicating with them.

LHC was one of more than 600 respondents to the consultation, which sought responses to the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper, published December 2020.

Tony Woods technical manager at LHC, discusses how local authorities and education providers can engage with the supply chain to maximise Government funding opportunities

‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ is the result of many discussions with clients, suppliers, advisers and procurement specialists like LHC. Commissioned by the Cabinet Office, the report’s 24 recommendations build upon earlier guidance in the Construction Playbook. LHC was pleased to be involved in this review process and welcomes the recommendations outlined in the report.

There’s no doubt that the industry is recovering from the minor downturn it suffered during the pandemic, but now it faces a different challenge: shortages. The latest Federation of Master Builders state of trade survey shows that 60% of builders have paused projects because they can’t find the skilled tradespeople they need.

Last week, on the 3^rd of December, it was Fuel Poverty Awareness Day. The statistics behind the day are shocking to say the least.