Over the last couple of months, the construction industry has continued to adapt to challenges such as its growing skills shortages, rising costs and shortage of materials. During this period, we've seen much progression in the HS2 project, house prices have continued to rise to new-record levels and much more. Take a look at the full round-up here:
You're in demand: Over 250,000 construction workers are needed before 2026
Over a quarter of a million extra construction workers are predicted to be required by 2026, according to the latest Construction Skills Network report.
With job vacancies at a record high, and unemployment at its lowest level in 50 years, developing a highly-skilled workforce will be the biggest challenge contractors will face over the next five years.
If projected growth is met, construction employment could reach a high of nearly 2.78 million workers by 2026.
This report provides insights into the UK construction economy and its future labour needs.
Read more here.
Housing-market: Average UK house price tops £250,000
The average price of a UK home has topped £250,000 for the first time, but the proportion of sellers reducing their asking price and the time taken to sell a home have both increased.
Annual house price inflation was down from 9% in March to 8.4%, and Zoopla said it expected this to fall to 3% by the end of the year.
Read more here.
Stronger government efforts needed to cut construction carbon footprint
UK net-zero ambitions will fall short unless the built environment is given stronger support to reduce its carbon emissions, MPs have warned.
A report published by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) concludes that the sector had received "little government guidance" towards achieving UK environmental targets, arguing that the industry's "embodied carbon emissions" had been largely "ignored".
Read more here.
UK Professional bodies join forces on diversity in construction
Six main professional institutes in the UK construction industry covering construction managers, architects, civil engineers, planners, surveyors and landscape designers – together representing 350,000 professionals – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sector.
Read more here
HS2: Construction begins on UK's longest railway bridge
A giant bridge building machine has begun work on the first viaduct for the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail scheme on the outskirts of London. It will form the longest railway bridge in the UK!
The 3.4km Colne Valley Viaduct will carry high-speed trains between the outskirts of Hillingdon and the M25 on their way to Birmingham.
A 160-metre long bridge building machine known as a "launching girder" is being used to lift the giant concrete segments that form the viaduct's arches into position.
Read more here.
HS2: New railway supporting a record number of jobs
HS2's workforce increased by more than 2,000 in the last quarter, with the construction of Britain's new railway now supporting a record 24,800 jobs.
HS2's latest reporting figures also show it has smashed the 900 new apprentice starts milestone, just 20 months since full construction works began on first phase of the project.
Read more here.