A London construction company and its director were fined after unsafe roof work at a north London refurbishment and extension project exposed workers to serious fall-from-height risks. The HSE said repeated concerns had been raised over an extended period, but adequate controls such as edge protection, safe access and scaffolding were still not in place when further unsafe work was identified in January 2024.
A construction company has been fined after a floor collapse at a house in Oldham left a bricklayer seriously injured and in hospital for a month. The Health and Safety Executive found multiple site safety failings, including poor planning and management, unsafe scaffolding, inadequate work-at-height arrangements and a lack of fire alarms.
The article discusses the risks of client funds mismanagement in conveyancing, using the PM Law collapse as an example of how poor handling of completion money can disrupt client matters. It also outlines the SRA’s move toward third-party managed accounts (TPMAs), which are presented as a safer alternative to traditional client accounts and are expected to become more common across legal services.
The article argues that software upgrades should be treated as a board-level risk decision rather than routine IT maintenance. It highlights the security, compliance and operational risks of running unsupported systems, and suggests that cloud platforms can reduce the burden by keeping firms continuously updated.
The Environment Agency has published guidance explaining how businesses should determine whether they are obligated under extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. It sets out who counts as a packaging producer, how group thresholds are assessed, and the reporting basis for 2026 packaging data.
Four trailers carrying an estimated 200 tonnes of suspected asbestos were abandoned on major roads in Hertfordshire in what local officials described as a major fly-tipping incident. The clean-up is being handled by licensed waste specialists and could cost up to £200,000, with two trailers considered unsafe to move.
HMRC has opened phase two of its mandatory online registration process for tax advisers under the Modernising and Mandating Tax Adviser Registration (MMTAR) programme. The article notes that advisers without an agent services account, including some conveyancers who submit stamp duty calculations, may need to register by 18 November, with non-compliance potentially leading to restrictions or enforcement action.
The article reports that the Recruitment and Employment Confederation has urged the government to reconsider proposed reforms to zero-hours contracts, arguing that construction work requires flexibility to reflect project-based labour demand. The consultation on changes to one-sided flexibility closes on 25 August, while government estimates suggest the reforms could cost employers up to £2.9bn a year.
OHOB Holdings reported higher pre-tax profit despite a significant fall in turnover, which the company attributed mainly to planning delays affecting tall residential schemes while Building Safety Act-related regulations were resolved. The group said profit was supported by successful final account completions and expects revenue to recover as delayed projects progress.
The article reports mixed reactions from planning lawyers to the government’s revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is intended to increase housing supply through clearer national policy, higher-density development and stronger support for schemes near transport hubs. While the changes are broadly seen as pro-development, commentators warn that delivery will still depend on viability, infrastructure funding and local plan updates.
The Environment Agency has published guidance for large producers on reporting obligations under extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. It explains how organisations should identify packaging activities, determine what data must be reported in the Report packaging data service, and apply the rules for branded and filled packaging.
Research cited in the article suggests tenant demand in the Private Rented Sector has risen for the first time in two years, with landlords reporting stronger demand in Q2 2026 than in the previous quarter. The piece also highlights ongoing concerns that landlord investment appetite remains weak, which could constrain rental supply if more landlords choose to sell than buy.
