Author Archives: Ian Weinfass

Red Construction Group has said it is on track to grow its turnover by more than 60 per cent in the current financial year. The main contractor, which has offices in London, Bristol and Bedford, made the announcement as it released its results for the year to 31 March 2023.…

The government believes it can raise £300m previously lost to fraud through a rule change for subcontractors claiming gross payment status via the construction industry scheme (CIS). Under CIS, subcontractors that have gross payment status can receive payments with no tax deducted at source. But the government says organised criminals…

Homes England could lose up to £9.2m from the administration of Stewart Milne Group. Manchester-based Stewart Milne Homes North West England (Developments) Ltd went into administration on 12 January and has a different administrator to that of the rest of the housebuilding group, which folded four days earlier. The English…

The government’s decision to lift a “de facto ban” on onshore windfarms in England will not address the “godforsaken” picture for developing them, MPs have been told. In September, a rule that allowed English local authorities to reject an application to build a windfarm on the basis of a single…

HS2 is preparing to apply for an extension to the injunction banning “disruptive protests” on its route, including on the cancelled phase 2a, Construction News can reveal. The legal measure, first granted in 2022, bans anyone from entering or remaining on HS2-owned land; obstructing or otherwise interfering with vehicle access;…

The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has added women’s personal protective equipment (PPE) to its contractor checklist. Companies that opt in to the CCS code of considerate practice will now have to ensure that PPE is available on site in suitable sizes. Contractors signed up to the voluntary code are assessed…

Permasteelisa has posted an £11.2m pre-tax loss in its latest accounts. The company, which was the UK’s largest envelope specialist between 2018-22, blamed inflation and legacy issues for the loss in the year to 31 March 2023. In its previous financial year, the firm, whose jobs often involve glazing skyscrapers…

Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out reviving HS2’s second phase if he wins power at the next general election. After several months during which his party has not committed to a position on the megaproject since Rishi Sunak cancelled its northern leg in October, the Labour leader said on Thursday…

Clegg Construction managing director Simon Blackburn has announced his retirement after 20 years in charge. Commercial director Michael Sims has taken over as MD, while the rest of the leadership team remains unchanged, the company said in a statement. Sims joined Clegg in 2021 after two decades at GF Tomlinson,…

Wates has landed the £70m conversion of a Grade II-listed building in central London into a life-sciences hub. The contractor has been appointed by clients Oxford Properties and Pioneer to work on the eight-storey Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square. The 1930s building has a number of unique heritage features behind…