Author Archives: James Wilmore

Construction News research reveals a 30 per cent hike in the average annual package for the 20 best-paid contractor plc executives Amid the continuing cost-of-living crisis, executive pay remains a contentious issue for the general public. In August, the High Pay Centre (HPC) revealed in its annual survey that average…

As construction professionals and legal experts digest the real-world implications of the Building Safety Act, what are the big unanswered questions? Nobody needs reminding that ongoing building safety reforms are aimed at avoiding a repeat of the dreadful events of June 2017, when 72 people died in a devastating fire…

With many subcontractors bitterly regretting the fixed-price contracts they signed before inflation spiralled, James Wilmore asks whether fluctuation clauses and advance payments will become the norm “Collaborative risk-sharing will be key to preserving industry resilience and capacity moving forward.” These were the words of the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) product…

The government’s deadline for developers to commit to fixing unsafe towers could lead to “conflict and costs” as pressures are passed down the construction supply chain, a trade body has warned. In a letter to developers, levelling up secretary Michael Gove has given a six-week ultimatum to sign up to…

Eight firms, including some of the industry’s biggest names, have won places on a £1.5bn framework covering public-sector projects across the North West of England. Kier, Sir Robert McAlpine, ISG, Vinci and Morgan Sindall are among those named on the four-year framework, which kicks off this month. The work includes…

The industry’s highest earners have once again seen their pay rocket, after COVID lockdowns brought a year of restraint. James Wilmore examines how the rises sit within a context of rising worries over the cost of living for those further down the foodchain. Recent events in Westminster have demonstrated that…

With demand for data-centre capacity set to increase tenfold between 2018 and 2025, opportunities abound for contractors – whether it’s building new sites or upgrading existing facilities. James Wilmore looks at the potential and the challenges

Many of the shifts in behaviour triggered by the pandemic have brought data centres to…

Construction News reveals the payment performance of the largest contractors in the UK, and James Wilmore examines how well payment reporting rules are working

Advertising sponsor Insolvencies in construction are on the rise. In recent months, administrators have highlighted cashflow issues as being central to the demise of some firms. Concerns…

Crossrail must end its “expensive” tier-one contracts “as soon as possible” to control costs on the megaproject amid a potential £150m funding shortfall, MPs have said.  In a new report, politicians on the public accounts committee revealed that Crossrail spent around £56m a month between October 2020 and March 2021,…

NG Bailey’s largest division fell to a pre-tax loss of £10.2m in its last financial year, newly published accounts have revealed. The firm’s M&E design-and-build business, which accounts for more than half its turnover, said it was hit by “delays or cancellations of secured or potential projects”, site closures, access…