The post Read About the Latest News on Construction Workers, Potential Domestic Construction, Petrol Powered Tools, and Insolvencies Rise appeared first on UK Construction Blog.
In today’s UK construction news, read about a recent report that found that there are more openings for maintenance workers, instructors, gardeners, and construction workers. Meanwhile, the Crown Estate, National Shipbuilding Office, and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult awarded the contract to APCL Cammell Laird. On the other hand, the industry-leading manufacturer of power tools, equipment, accessories, and hand tools, MILWAUKEE®, commissioned a recent study that revealed the pervasive and widespread use of gasoline-powered tools and equipment on building sites throughout Europe. Finally, the number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales in February 2025 was 2,035, which was 7% less than in February 2024 (2,188) but 3% more than in January 2025 (1,978).
Construction Workers Are in Greater Demand in the UK, According to a Recruitment Survey
Original Source: Recruitment report reveals rise in UK demand for construction workers
More construction, gardener, teaching, and maintenance jobs are available, according to a report.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast found a drop in demand for veterinary nurses, delivery drivers, and train and tram drivers.
Last month, more than 1.5m jobs were listed, up from January, while February saw 10% less.
Neil Carberry, REC CEO, said: “Firms have been working hard to find growth in the face of rising costs since the budget, and it is reassuring that some are now feeling more ready to hire.”
Due to uncertainty about housing and commercial development projects, construction businesses have reported limited activity in recent months.
Government intentions to accelerate housing starts, lower lending rates, and rising property values have enterprises hoping to grow capacity and hire more staff.
Carberry stated, “The same applies to the substantial rise in adverts for parts of the underpressure hospitality sector.”
Even while IT recruitment has yet to rebound, “there are still opportunities for such workers with 30,000 job postings for programmers and software development professionals and nearly 12,000 for IT business analysts, architects and systems designers”.
UK Will Evaluate Domestic Service Operating Vessel Construction
Original Source: UK to assess potential for domestic construction of service operation vessels
APCL Cammell Laird won the contract from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, National Shipbuilding Office, and Crown Estate.
To enable the installation of over 850 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, service operation vessel (SOV) production must increase. ORE Catapult estimates that hundreds of these ships will be in operation worldwide by 2050, creating a global market of about £35Bn (US$45Bn).
“The UK has a proud shipbuilding heritage,” said the ORE Catapult, “but pathways must be found for how the country can transfer this to industries that will be crucial in the future Net Zero economy, like offshore wind. This effort will assist the UK learn how to manufacture vessels for offshore wind, creating jobs and economic investment in local areas.
We know that for the UK to tap into the full potential of offshore wind, we’ll need to drastically increase the number of vessels that can service the turbines of the future,” said Lauren Hadnum, ORE Catapult clean maritime manager. We must ensure that British shipyards can build as many of such warships as feasible. This work will help us understand what needs to be done to make this a reality and suggest ways industry and government can collaborate to produce a successful and joined-up UK shipbuilding strategy for offshore wind.
APCL Group CTO Linton Roberts remarked, “APCL Cammell Laird is delighted to lead the UK SOV manufacturing business case development study. This project advances UK offshore renewable vessel manufacturing. We will present a strong, evidence-based business case that will shape sustainable shipbuilding and strengthen the UK’s offshore wind supply chain.
National Shipbuilding Office CEO Rod Paterson said, “There is significant predicted domestic and global demand for SOVs and crew transfer vessels over the coming decades, which I believe the UK shipbuilding sector is well placed to compete for and win market share.”
Will Apps, Crown Estate offshore wind strategy director, said, “The UK is one of the world’s leading offshore wind energy producers, second only to China, and will rapidly increase offshore deployment to deliver the government’s 2030 clean power targets. Developing the domestic supply chain is crucial to our success.
“We expect SOV demand to rise significantly in the coming years, creating jobs and economic growth in UK communities. The feasibility assessment of low- or no-emission SOVs operating in the UK would be particularly fascinating, considering the relevance of decarbonizing the offshore wind sector and windfarm management and maintenance.
Petrol-powered Tools Continue to Be Used in the Construction Industry
Original Source: Construction Sector Remains Reliant On Petrol-Powered Tools
MILWAUKEE®, a leading maker of power tools, equipment, accessories, and hand tools, commissioned a survey that found petrol-powered tools and equipment are still widely used on European construction sites. Despite their recognized operational and health dangers and the availability of safer alternatives on the general market.
The whitepaper Building a Safer Future depends on a European study of 3,200 construction experts from 14 countries. It asked them about their opinions toward working with petrol-powered equipment and found that most desire to cease fossil fuel use for on-site operations.
Putting European construction at risk with petrol
The continual petrol-related pollutants were frightening. Two-thirds (60%) of respondents said they worked mostly with petrol-powered equipment and machinery, and 27% said they did so all week. As expected, a similar amount cited pollution as a major health risk while on site.
Petrol consumption on sites is shortening construction workers’ lifespans due to well-known health hazards like heart disease and cancer. The majority of respondents (65%) are concerned about it.
Worse, 35% were less concerned about the short and long-term effects of regularly inhaling harmful fumes. This alarming statistic indicates a lack of understanding or ignorance of the serious risks posed by petrol-powered equipment and machinery, and that greater education is needed to phase out this fuel type as soon as feasible.
Workers want to switch.
High-performance, battery-powered equipment is a popular alternative.
Almost all respondents (92%) felt safer if their employer used battery-powered tools, equipment, and machinery. With improved tools and equipment (54%), and better, more comfortable PPE (48%), 45% said it would help workers feel safer on site.
Making changes
This research shows that construction firms must lead by ending the use of fossil fuels to power tools and equipment to protect workers. Battery-powered alternatives are abundant, and their technology has improved greatly in the previous decade, especially run-time.
MILWAUKEE recognizes many on-site workers are legitimately concerned, but a significant number appear indifferent or unphased about the major health risks of persistent petrol fume inhalation. It warns site teams to protect their workers if they still use petrol. The safest option is to permanently replace this unsafe fuel source.
Construction Sector Continues to Exercise Caution as February’s Insolvencies Increase
Original Source: Construction industry remains cautious as insolvencies rise in February
The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales in February 2025 was 2,035, which was 7% less than in February 2024 (2,188) but 3% more than in January 2025 (1,978).
In the 12 months leading up to January 2025, the construction sector saw the most insolvencies (4,031), accounting for 17% of all industrial cases.
“Construction continues to experience the highest number of insolvencies above any other sector, which is to be expected given the ongoing burden of expensive debt and fragile supply chain,” said Kelly Boorman, National Head of Construction at RSM UK, in response to the most recent construction insolvency statistics. Although there is a robust pipeline of business, the volume of deliveries is not increasing because of financial restrictions, mobilization delays, and uncertainty following the Autumn Budget. As a result, companies are conserving working capital and have not yet seen the boom they had hoped for in 2025. The impending hike in employers’ NIC is one of the biggest financial obstacles facing the construction industry. The increase in labor costs will put pressure on profitability in an already under-resourced industry.
Nonetheless, foreign investors view the UK as a favorable location for business, particularly in the real estate sector. As a result, the construction sector, supported by infrastructure and private investment, has cause for cautious optimism. However, regulatory obstacles, political unpredictability, and expensive borrowing prices impede progress. This affects the supply chain, which is still vulnerable because there isn’t enough mobilization and affordable debt available. Before the sector improves, there will probably be more casualties, and we anticipate that project delivery will pick up speed in the latter part of 2025, a full year later than anticipated.
However, the government’s announcement of revisions to its Planning and Infrastructure Bill last week was a major step, she continued. Administrative delays will be decreased by these reforms, which will cut red tape, simplify planning, and speed up decision-making. In order to effectively allocate resources to satisfy local demand, they will also give local authorities more authority over infrastructure projects. Although this is a positive development, it will take time to come to pass, therefore in the lead-up to the Spring Statement, it is crucial that the government take into account how technology can speed up delivery.
Summary of today’s construction news
In simple terms, in reaction to the uncertainties surrounding the prospects for residential and commercial building projects, construction companies have reported low activity levels in recent months. However, businesses are now planning to expand capacity and hire more staff due to government promises to increase home starts, lower lending rates, and rising property values.
Meanwhile, “The UK is one of the world’s leading offshore wind energy producers, second only to China, and will rapidly increase the scale of offshore deployment to deliver the government’s 2030 clean power targets,” stated Will Apps, director of Crown Estate’s offshore wind strategy. A key component of our ongoing success will be building the domestic supply chain.
On the other hand, MILWAUKEE acknowledges that many on-site employees have legitimate concerns, but it is nonetheless alarming that a sizable minority seem unconcerned or unconcerned about the grave health risks associated with continuous exposure to gasoline fumes. It states up front that site teams must make sure their workers are properly safeguarded if they continue to rely on gasoline. It is really a stopgap remedy, though, as replacing this hazardous fuel source permanently is the safest course of action.
Finally, In order to effectively allocate resources to satisfy local demand, they will also give local authorities more authority over infrastructure projects. Although this is a positive development, it will take time to come to pass, therefore in the lead-up to the Spring Statement, it is crucial that the government take into account how technology can speed up delivery.
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