Build UK Focuses on Cost of Doing Business
The rising cost of doing business is front and centre of our discussions with members, Government and other stakeholders. A combination of war in the Middle East, increases in taxes and levies, and the new Employment Rights Act and other legislation has led to significant increases in the cost of delivering construction projects, and Build UK has written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, urging the Government to maintain delivery of the Infrastructure Pipeline whilst reviewing contractual arrangements to ensure that the risk of inflation is shared appropriately.
With the latest update from the CLC’s Material Supply Chain Group revealing that the cost of building materials has already increased by around 5.1% this year, Build UK’s guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, sets out ways to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project which are fair and proportionate to all parties, including the use of fluctuations provisions.
Build UK has supported the CLC in calling for a delay in the introduction of new limits on tariff‐free steel imports, which could lead to cost increases of up to 40%. Build UK member, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), has highlighted that many steel products are not being manufactured, or are only available in limited quantities, in the UK, and as a result of our concerted action Ministers have committed to work with industry to identify potential solutions before the tariffs take effect from 1 July. We are also calling for a delay in the Building Safety Levy as that will further increase housing costs if implemented from 1 October as planned.
Build UK is working with the CBI to demonstrate the impact of the increased cost of doing business on employment opportunities, investment and growth across construction and the wider economy, and members across the supply chain are asked to complete this short survey by tomorrow (Friday 8 May).
Supplier of the Year – Get Your Customers Voting
The Supplier of the Year Award is back for the 2026 UK Fencing Awards — and it’s your opportunity to be recognised by the people who matter most: your customers.
This award is decided by contractor nominations, meaning the more your customers back you, the stronger your chance of taking home the title.
How to get involved
We’re encouraging all suppliers to actively promote the award and ask their customers to put them forward.
Whether it’s through your depot, invoices, email signatures or social media, a simple prompt can make all the difference.
👉 Encourage your customers to nominate you: www.afiorg.uk
Why it matters
- Recognition from your customer base
- Increased visibility across the industry
- A chance to stand out as a trusted supplier
And to help drive engagement, every contractor who submits a nomination will be entered into a prize draw to win a free ticket to the awards, taking place on 12th November at Old Trafford.
If you haven’t started promoting yet — now’s the time.
Improving Payment Performance
Build UK updates its payment performance table every month with the latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations. Our tier one Contractor members are currently paying invoices in an average of 29 days, down from 45 days when the table was first launched in 2018, with 97% paid within 60 days.
New reporting requirements on retentions will take effect for the majority of the industry in July, and Build UK recently led a ‘pilot’ for Contractor members to share their results for the first quarter. As well as enabling members to test their internal data collection process, it identified a number of queries regarding the way the data should be reported, and we are working with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to ensure members report on a consistent basis. The Build UK payment performance table will be updated from the end of July to show the amounts that Contractors and Clients withhold in retentions from their suppliers.
The Government’s response to the Late Payments Consultation outlined new measures to tackle late payment, including a ban on the withholding of retentions, which are expected to be taken forward as part of a Late Payments Bill introduced in the King’s Speech next Wednesday 13 May. Build UK is working closely with DBT on the implementation of the measures, including how they interact with the Construction Act, and Fergus Harradence, DBT’s Deputy Director for Construction, Logistics, Airports & Water, will be joining a meeting of our Trade Association members on Thursday 14 May to provide an update on the next steps.
2026 UK Fencing Awards – Your Chance to Be Recognised
Entries are now open for the 2026 UK Fencing Awards, taking place on 12th November at Old Trafford — and this year’s event is set to be bigger than ever.
From outstanding contractor projects to individual achievement, the awards recognise the people and businesses driving standards across the fencing industry.
Categories include:
- Contractor categories across all sectors
- Project of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- NEW: Women in Fencing
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Whether you’re showcasing a standout project, recognising a rising star, or highlighting someone who has made a lasting impact on the industry, this is your opportunity to be recognised.
👉 Enter now: www.afiorg.uk
📩 Lifetime Achievement nominations: info@theafi.co.uk
A night to remember
This year’s awards will take place at the iconic Old Trafford, with a very special guest speaker set to be announced soon.
It’s shaping up to be a standout evening — and one you won’t want to miss.
Get your entries in and be part of it.
Construction Products Reform
Thanks to those members who have shared their views on the Construction Products Reform White Paper. There is clear support for a more robust regulatory system for construction products that ensures manufacturers have clear duties for which they are held accountable and that users are provided with accurate and reliable information.
Under the current proposals, the requirements will differ depending on whether a product carries a CE or UKCA mark or is unmarked. The draft Build UK response calls for the General Safety Requirement to be applied to all products, so that users can have a baseline universal understanding of the obligations of manufacturers to produce safe products. However, we have flagged that the current plan to enact the General Safety Requirement later this year, and for it to come into force next year, is unlikely to provide sufficient time for the industry to prepare. Members are invited to review the Build UK response and submit feedback by next Wednesday 13 May. More building safety news, including the latest data on Gateway Two applications published by the Building Safety Regulator, can be found in our Building Safety update.
FenceX 2027 – The UK Fencing Industry’s Must-Attend Event Returns
Following the record-breaking success of FenceX 2025, the UK fencing industry’s flagship event is set to return even bigger and better in 2027.
FenceX 2025 brought the industry together in unprecedented numbers at NAEC Stoneleigh, with more than 80 exhibitors and hundreds of visitors enjoying a day packed with innovation, live demonstrations and valuable networking opportunities. Highlights included the largest destruction testing schedule ever seen at a UK fencing event, a packed seminar programme, the Gate Automation Zone in partnership with DHF, and a hands-on Best Practice Day showcasing both timber and metal fencing.
Building on this momentum, FenceX 2027 will take place on Thursday 23 September 2027 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Hall 1. Planning is already underway to deliver another standout event for the fencing and perimeter security industry, with new features, returning favourites and even more opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike.
Stand bookings will be opening shortly, offering companies the chance to secure their place at the UK’s leading fencing industry event.
Further details will be announced soon.