Retentions have been used in UK construction since the 1840s. Yet today, many in the industry are questioning whether they still offer the security they once promised.

Originally introduced during the railway boom, retentions were meant to protect projects. Today, they’re locking up billions in unpaid funds and pushing contractors closer to insolvency. In fact, it’s estimated that £3 to £5 billion is held in retentions across the UK construction sector each year, with much of it never recovered.

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Ashton, Partner at Hawkswell Kilvington Solicitors which is one of the UK's few law firms focused solely on construction and engineering. Gary explains how retentions work, why they often go unrecovered, and what legal tools contractors have at their disposal.

We talk about:
✔️ How retention works in the UK and why it's so widely used
✔️ The legal and financial risks retentions create during insolvency
✔️ Why better contracts and clear payment terms matter
✔️ Alternatives like escrow accounts, project bank accounts and retention bonds

If you have ever lost money on a project or struggled to recover withheld payments, this episode offers practical insight and expert advice from someone who sees the impact every day.

Learn more about HK Legal here: https://hklegal.co.uk

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How did Manchester go from a struggling industrial city filled with abandoned mills and a thriving rave scene to a forward-thinking hub for business, technology, and innovation?

For PushON, a leading digital agency based in Manchester’s Ancoats, this transformation isn’t just a story from the sidelines. It’s something they’re a part of every day.

In this episode, we sit down with PushON’s Strategist and Managing Director, Simon Wharton, to explore a range of topics — from Manchester’s remarkable transformation and choosing the right digital platforms, to harnessing SEO and AI as powerful tools for growth. With two decades of experience in this rapidly evolving space, Simon has witnessed firsthand the growth and constant need for innovation, both in the digital world and within the construction industry itself.

We get into:

✔️ The role digital marketing, SEO, and a strong online presence plays in helping construction companies grow — whether you’re a small corner shop or a large enterprise.

✔️ Why choosing the right platforms and tools is key to staying competitive in a changing market.

✔️ AI as a capability extender, not a threat, allowing companies to do more with less and respond faster to opportunities.

✔️ Predictions for the future of the industry, from smarter processes to a more connected, data-rich ecosystem.

Learn more about PushOn here: https://www.pushon.co.uk/

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

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What do 862 million plastic straws have to do with driveways?

When Johnny Pearce saw plastic waste building up along the beaches near his home, he couldn’t shake the feeling—especially as a dad—of wanting to set a better example.

He already had a successful business. But what if that business could be part of the solution? In this episode, we talk to Johnny, co-founder of Oltco, the company behind Recycle Bound—the world’s first driveway solution made using recycled plastic waste.

What started as a personal mission to become a better role model became a ground-breaking innovation in sustainable construction. Just one standard driveway using Recycle Bound repurposes the equivalent of 150,000 plastic straws.

That’s over 50 years’ worth of plastic bottle recycling from a single household!

Here’s what you’ll hear:

✔️How multiple tests and persistence finally paved the way for Recycle Bound – Oltco’s most durable system ever

✔️How Oltco is dealing with ocean waste head-on

✔️Why more businesses are going green—and what that means for the future If you care about eco-friendly construction, smart business moves, and real-world innovation, don’t miss this conversation.

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast hosted by the team from the UK Construction Blog! 

Ever wondered where your construction skills could take you beyond the job site? 

In this episode, we talk to John Ryan, a skilled bricklayer who took his on-site experience to the classroom as a trainer in Further Education. 

He shares his inspiring journey, challenges faced and why he believes it’s important to train the next wave of tradespeople, now more than ever. 

If you’ve spent years working on-site and are wondering what opportunities lie beyond, Ryan’s journey might just inspire your next move.

Topics covered:

✔️ The path from bricklaying to teaching
✔️ Skills every aspiring bricklayer needs
✔️ Common misconceptions about working in construction
✔️ The future of trades and why they matter
✔️ Advice for anyone considering a career in construction

For further information check out: https://www.teachinfurthereducation.education.gov.uk/

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Welcome to the very first episode of UK Construction Podcast hosted by the team from the UK Construction Blog! 

In this episode we talk with Tom Redfern, Senior Sustainability Manager at Aggregate Industries, to uncover the ground-breaking ways the construction industry is going green.

From turning quarries into forests to recycling asphalt infinitely, Tom breaks down how sustainability is changing the game in construction and how Aggregate Industries is contributing to this mission. 

We also dive into carbon capture in concrete, the push for green hydrogen in asphalt production, and what it takes to manage sustainability across 200+ sites. 

Topics Covered:
✔️ How asphalt and concrete can be infinitely recycled 
✔️ The surprising impact of carbon capture in construction 
✔️ How a quarry was turned into a 64-hectare forest 
✔️ The future of green energy in asphalt production
✔️ Why sustainability is becoming a major business advantage

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Follow Tom Redfern on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/t-redfern/

The Friends of Paxton Pits: https://paxton-pits.org.uk/about-paxton-pits/the-friends-of-paxton-pits/
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The UK Construction Podcast: Your weekly insight into British construction innovation. Join industry leaders, architects, and engineers as they share expert knowledge on projects, trends, and emerging technologies.

Featuring:

• Expert interviews
• Market analysis
• Project insights
• Professional guidance

Subscribe now to stay informed on Britain's evolving construction landscape.

Hosted by The UK Construction Blog.