Galliford Try reported a 24.7% rise in annual pre-tax profit, with management attributing much of the improvement to operational efficiencies and earlier contractor involvement in projects. The company also highlighted growth in infrastructure and building margins, stronger cash generation, and a larger order book, while noting increased provisions for onerous contracts, rectification, and some fire-safety claims.
Glenigan’s latest review shows a sharp fall in construction starts over the summer, even as main contract awards rose strongly, suggesting a healthier future pipeline than current activity levels imply. The report points to public sector-led momentum, especially in health and infrastructure, while also highlighting planning delays, regulatory change and financing pressures.
Barratt Redrow says it recovered £38.4m from subcontractors and suppliers in the year to 28 June 2026 as it continues to pursue legacy defect costs linked to fire safety and reinforced concrete frames. The company also reported £96.8m of legacy property charges, ongoing remediation activity overseen by the Building Safety Regulator, and noted an early-stage collective competition claim involving several housebuilders.
The High Court has enforced an £8.7m adjudication award in favour of Coventry & Warwickshire Development Partnership over alleged overpayments linked to the collapsed contractor Buckingham Group on a Coventry earthworks project. The court rejected Avison Young’s attempt to resist enforcement and granted summary judgment.
The article examines how major construction clients and contractors are using the CLOCS standard to reduce road risks from construction logistics, prompted in part by fatal cycling collisions in Oxford. The University of Oxford has said contractors bidding for its major pipeline will need to follow CLOCS best practice, reflecting a wider push to improve safety for vulnerable road users around construction traffic.
The article argues that revised public procurement social value rules, including a minimum 20% weighting for contracts of £5m and above, could improve economic and community outcomes if implemented carefully. It warns that the forthcoming guidance must avoid reducing social value to easily counted metrics and should recognise regional supply chains, specialist SMEs and broader capability in infrastructure delivery.
HMRC has launched a targeted crackdown on payroll fraud in the construction sector, focusing on criminal umbrella companies and labour supply chains in Liverpool and Manchester. Legal commentators say contractors should strengthen due diligence because HMRC may pursue unpaid tax further up the chain where red flags should have been identified.
Henmead, parent company of Eric Wright Group, reported higher turnover and pre-tax profit in its latest audited accounts, alongside increased cash balances and headcount. The company said performance was supported by operational efficiencies, a diversified business mix and a strong contracting pipeline, while noting that Building Safety Act requirements continue to lengthen preconstruction periods on large residential schemes.
Lendlease has brought a High Court claim against Berkeley Group seeking nearly £96m in relation to alleged fire-safety and other defects across 20 residential schemes originally developed by Crosby group companies. The claim relies in part on the 2023 developer remediation contract and seeks building liability orders, indemnity or contribution, as remediation work continues or is yet to begin at some sites.
Codi Group has launched a £750m, four-year Welsh housing construction framework covering new-build housing and refurbishment work, with up to 48 principal contractors to be appointed across six lots. The framework is due to start in April 2027 and will be available to Codi Group and partner housing organisations for call-off contracts across Wales.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a contractor for the final phase of its RAAC failsafe programme, with around 18 months remaining on a seven-year effort to make the estate safe. The works, valued at about £6.5m, will involve roof re-covering and additional steel and timber supports rather than removal of the RAAC itself, while a replacement hospital remains part of the national New Hospital Programme.
The outgoing interim chief construction adviser has called on clients and funders to take primary responsibility for competence and safety across the built environment. Her final report argues that while stronger standards and smarter regulation are important, lasting improvement depends on behaviours, accountability and avoiding cost or programme pressures that undermine building safety.
