Anti-construction protesters face six months in jail
Tougher penalties for protesters will include new measures to protect key construction sites.
Home Secretary Priti Patel revealed a raft of tougher penalties and new police powers in the wake of chaos caused by Insulate Britain members.
The measures will also cover campaigners who try and disrupt major infrastructure jobs like HS2 which have been hit by demonstrations.
Penalties for blocking construction will see a new offence of obstructing the construction of authorised infrastructure introduced carrying a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.
The government will also propose amendments to deal with the “lock-on” tactics used by groups including Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain where demonstrators physically attach themselves to objects.
A new offence will be introduced to criminalise the act of locking-on and new stop and search powers will allow police officers to search individuals and seize items that are likely to be used for lock-ons.
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Jittery clients put brake on projects as subbie rates soar
The pace of construction growth slowed further in September as the industry saw its worst month for order books since January’s lockdown.
Construction buyers reported output volumes rising to the smallest extent for eight months as the industry continued to grapple with transport issues, a severe lack of materials and staff shortages.
The bellwether IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI Total Activity Index posted 52.6 in September, down from 55.2 in August.
A rapid drop in subcontractor availability in September sparked the steepest rise in subcontractor charges since the survey began in April 1997.
Some buyers warned that the unpredictable pricing environment had slowed clients’ decision-making on new orders and led to delays with contract awards.
Tim Moore, Director at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey said: “September data highlighted a severe loss of momentum for the construction sector as labour shortages and the supply chain crisis combined to disrupt activity on site.
“The volatile price and supply environment has started to hinder new business intakes as construction companies revised cost projections and some clients delayed decisions on contract awards.
“As a result, the latest survey data pointed to the worst month for order books since January’s lockdown.
“Shortages of building materials and a lack of transport capacity led to another rapid increase in purchase prices during September.
He added: “There was also a considerable decline in the availability of subcontractors, with survey respondents citing shortages of bricklayers, drivers, groundworkers, joiners, plumbers and many other skilled trades.
“Measured overall, prices charged by subcontractors increased at the fastest rate since the survey began in April 1997.”
Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “Construction activity suffered another setback in September, as builders were hammered by staff and material shortages, delivery delays and higher business costs as this phase of the post-pandemic recovery became the shakiest for eight months.
“Housing and civil engineering bore the brunt of the slowdown with residential building the weakest since June 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic.
Over 60% of supply chain managers said their deliveries were taking longer and 78% were paying more for their goods as inflation remained stubbornly high.
He warned: “Unless stronger supply chain performance is nailed down along with headcount, we are heading towards a stagnant autumn because the sector is certainly not on an even footing at the moment.”
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T&T nabs Lower Thames Crossing commercial role
National Highways has named Turner & Townsend as its commercial partner on the vast Lower Thames Crossing scheme.
The appointment marks the completion of the Lower Thames Crossing integrated client team, comprised of Jacobs/Cowi/Arcadis as technical partner, and Jacobs as sole integration partner.
Across the eight-year contract, T&T will work as part of the integrated client team providing day-to-day cost, commercial and contract management, independent cost assurance and cost audit function across the whole £8.6bn Lower Thames Crossing programme.
Matt Palmer, Lower Thames Crossing Executive Director, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious road project this country has seen since the M25 was completed 35 years ago, and will improve journeys, create new jobs and business opportunities, as well as bring new green spaces for the local community and wildlife.”
If given the green light construction of the main tunnel and link roads will support over 22,000 jobs during construction.
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