Construction Disrupted Episode 109 - The Great British Build-Up (01.04.26)

In this episode we cover groundbreaking policy changes, ambitious housing plans and strategies to improve project delivery, exploring how these initiatives aim to transform the industry and impact communities across the country. Let’s get going!

Construction retentions to be banned

The UK government has announced the abolition of retention payments in construction contracts to protect smaller firms from financial risks like insolvency and late payments. Retention payments, often up to 5% of a contract’s value, have long been criticized for restricting cash flow and exposing subcontractors to risks.

This reform, supported by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), is expected to create fairer contract terms and reduce instability in the industry. However, concerns remain about potential challenges, such as firms delaying payments to circumvent the ban. To address this, measures like adjudication processes and court enforcement will be introduced.

The ban is part of a broader effort to tackle late payment practices, which cost the UK economy £11 billion annually. Other measures include a maximum 60-day payment term for large firms paying smaller suppliers and enhanced powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate and penalize poor payment practices.

New Towns plan part of radical action to meet housebuilding target

The UK government plans to establish seven new towns across England to address the housing crisis and drive economic growth. The initiative emphasizes affordable housing, public transport, and infrastructure to create thriving communities. Locations like Tempsford, strategically positioned to connect key cities, are seen as promising examples.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) have welcomed the plans, highlighting the importance of high-quality design, affordable housing, and strong partnerships. The government’s launch of a National Housing Bank and subsidies for lower-cost lending are expected to support large-scale housing delivery.

Experts stress that effective implementation will be key, requiring long-term funding, collaboration, and a commitment to good placemaking to ensure these new towns succeed.

Impatient for infrastructure? Four changes to improve UK project delivery

The UK’s infrastructure projects have faced delays and budget overruns, with only 59% of planned spending materializing between 2015 and 2024. McKinsey proposes four key changes to address these challenges:

1. Better Planning and Budgeting: Robust, long-term planning can reduce volatility and improve project success rates, as seen in Norway’s State Project Model.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making: Using consistent data definitions and structured reporting can help leaders make informed decisions and improve performance.
3. Digital Tools and AI: Technologies like generative scheduling and digital twins have demonstrated their ability to save time and costs in UK projects.
4. Consistent Leadership: Stable leadership, as seen in the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, ensures continuity and better outcomes.

By adopting these strategies, the UK can improve infrastructure delivery and ensure projects meet their goals.

Bios

Ryan Jones - SLG Agency

For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.

His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.

In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.

Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.

Peter Sumpton - buildDifferent

Peter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.

His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.

Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.

Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.

Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.