UK Construction Week’s Post

Does your modern slavery statement clearly explain how workers can raise concerns in a safe and confidential way? Our analysis of 100 modern slavery statements from UK construction companies found a gap: A lack of clear reporting channels, hindering worker voices and potentially allowing modern slavery to persist. ➡ Learn more about this along with ways to improve your statement and your approach to tackling modern slavery in our latest article: https://lnkd.in/ei4bQE8p #modernslavery #construction #transparency #antislavery

It’s Anti-Slavery Day, and we’ve partnered with Unseen UK to raise awareness about the harsh realities of modern slavery in the construction sector. Together with leading construction companies and labour agencies—including Berkeley Group Plc, Laing O'Rourke, Skanska, Kier Group, Galliford Try, VGC Group, Danny Sullivan Group, Hays, and Morgan Sindall Construction—we've created an impactful short film that highlights the struggles of modern slavery victims and key warning signs to look out for. As a key labour contributor to the construction industry, we recognise our collective responsibility to protect the supply chain and work towards eradicating modern slavery from UK construction sites. At Randstad UK, we are committed to preventing exploitation by empowering our colleagues across the built environment with educational tools and training programmes needed to raise awareness and report concerns. 👉 We encourage you to watch and share the film—because together we can make a difference. Let’s work towards building an industry where dignity, respect, and safety are non-negotiable for all. Find out more about this initiative at https://lnkd.in/eMBYwxeY #AntiSlaveryDay #ResponsibleBusiness #ModernSlavery #EndModernSlavery #EndForcedLabour #ConstructionIndustry #ConstructionEthics #EthicalWorkplace

⚠ Construction has been identified by the Home Office as a high‐risk sector for modern slavery due to its complex supply chains, multiple levels of sub‐contracting, and high turnover of labour on projects. As such, there are a number of initiatives led by Build UK members designed to help employers ensure workers are recruited responsibly, and work free from exploitation.     ▪ Berkeley Group Plc, Galliford Try, Kier Group, Laing O'Rourke and Skanska have worked with anti-slavery charity, Unseen, on a video showing the signs of slavery on site: https://bit.ly/4e9q0C3     ▪ Stronger Together, the campaign led by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), offers a wide range of free resources, including a toolkit to help identify and prevent modern slavery: https://bit.ly/3NRIoVe     ▪ Supply Chain Sustainability School (UK) has published a new operational toolkit, developed by Action Sustainability, which contains free resources such as posters, toolbox talks and videos, to help those involved in site setup and management to tackle the exploitation of workers on site. https://bit.ly/40yosP6    Unseen operates a confidential modern slavery and exploitation helpline to report any concerns, which can be contacted on 08000 121 700. 

For anyone that hasn’t seen, there is consultation underway for relaxing a raft of Permitted Development planning rules in the UK. https://lnkd.in/eQduxy7K The potential removal of the ‘20cm eaves rule’ and ‘materials to match existing’ is particularly welcomed as it will allow for easier and more robust retrofit detailing. It will also accept that all our non-conservation area homes are going to be one storey taller. The changes will allow a corresponding architectural language to emerge rather than the continued layer-cake effect that currently exists with loft extensions. I am pleased that Class B loft extensions is being considered for flats. The current legislation is discriminatory, responding to tenure only and not the building as a whole. This should also be extended to Ckass A. The proposed easier route for demolition could cut both ways. There will be greater renewal of poorly performing buildings but increased embodied energy, surface water run off and waste with no regulation. Thought provoking and interesting. #planning #architecture #housing #permitteddevelopment

Understand the prevalence of modern slavery within the UK construction and property sector, your responsibilities and best practice associated with tackling it. Join us for our upcoming workshop on 11 June ➡️ https://loom.ly/vB7jDTU #construction #raisingawareness #UKCW2024 #bestpractice #registertoday

🚧 UK Construction and Property Toolkit 🚧 Our toolkit provides a comprehensive action plan and checklist for contractors, suppliers, and labour agencies towards tackling modern slavery. This robust strategy includes free-to-download resources such as template policies, multi-language posters, leaflets, and videos. 🔑 Key benefits of implementing this Toolkit: 🌍 Raise awareness amongst employees about modern slavery 👀 Identify common signs and patterns of exploitation 📋 Provide an actionable plan for discovering and addressing modern slavery 🛡️ Develop an impactful annual slavery and human trafficking statement in line with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 🤝 Engage positively with employee representatives to protect against exploitation 📈 Demonstrate proactive measures to stakeholders, investors, and NGOs Download the toolkit on our website here ➡️ https://loom.ly/DzXdIdo This toolkit is part of Stronger Together’s UK Construction and Property programme, which also offers training, industry engagement, collaborative projects, and a safe platform to share challenges and best practices. Find out more about our UK Construction and Property programme here ➡️ https://loom.ly/iUgy3P8 The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Saint-Gobain St. Modwen Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Wolseley Group #constructionsector #tacklingexploitation #forcedlabour

After 6 years, we finally achieved Listed Building Consent for a project that has been a labour of love and hate in equal measure. It involved several periods of unauthorised works, people taking things into their own hands, an appeal, and the rather complex issue of spatial openness vs. optimum viable use. We achieved a great result for the client and the Council (Buckinghamshire Council) alike. The project shows that there's a lot of work to be done to educate landowners on the importance of historic assets and how to undertake sensitive alterations without compromising their significance, especially in today's highly competitive market. Key takers—A sound understanding of a site's history and its historical principles is the basis for achieving this. Open and frank communication with an element of pragmatism between the client and the LPA is essential. Special thanks to liz mayle for her invaluable input and Morwenna Breen-Haynes for her understanding, which wasn't easy given the challenges facing local government. #listedbuilding, #planningenforcement, #localgovernment,

The ICF foundation walls have been poured to grade and now it's time to see these walls grow up to 30 feet above grade! Even the gable walls and chimney will be constructed with ICF! A net-zero home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year, making it highly energy-efficient and sustainable. Done by using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)—airtight sealing, and advanced windows to minimize heating and cooling needs. Energy is generated through a combination of solar panels, water turbines, and, in some cases, wind or geothermal systems, ensuring a balanced offset of energy use. Efficient HVAC systems, such as heat pumps and radiant heating, work with smart thermostats to optimize indoor climate control. Water conservation measures like low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and greywater systems add to its sustainability. Smart technology monitors and manages energy consumption, while eco-friendly materials, such as micro cement, reduce the home’s environmental impact. Altogether, net-zero homes help lower carbon footprints and provide long-term energy savings. #setin #elviano #greenbuildings #netzero #ICF #insulatedconcrete #geothermal #waterturbines #solarenergy #smarttech #sustainability

QUESTION: What are we not talking* about in the construction industry? Or, not talking about enough? Please share in the comments below. 👇 *Talking with the intent of flushing out what can and should be done about it. Whatever it is. #community #construction #constructionindustry #constructorsguild

Join us for a comprehensive discussion on maintaining high-rise building infrastructure, where industry experts will delve into the intricacies of sustaining the structural integrity, safety, and functionality of tall structures. In this session, participants will gain valuable insights into the unique challenges posed by high-rise buildings and discover cutting-edge strategies to address them. #elevate #highriseconference #TeamCAI #CAISocial #BusinessPartner Community Associations Institute • Keystone Chapter