Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

Administrators for ISG are pursuing a specialist contractor and AtkinsRéalis for £4m worth of damages over an allegedly faulty school roof.The legal action has been launched against consultancy AtkinsRéalis PPS and roofing contractor Longworth Building Services over defects at a special educational needs (SEN) school it built in Bury, Greater Manchester.Documents seen by Construction News claim the roof was “seriously defective”.The claim is being brought in an attempt to recoup £4m in costs that ISG incurred when repairing the roof for the client, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council.In 2011, the council appointed ISG Construction as the main contractor on a project…

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves with the famous red briefcase.Widespread condemnation came after the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves made the budget announcement last Wednesday.Trade organisations and opposition politicians branded it “harmful”, and threatening to agriculture while it lacked the “fundamental change” needed to inspire investment in the Highlands and Islands.However, the Shetland Labour candidate for next year’s Holyrood election welcomed the announcement as a “major boost” for the region.An extension on the freeze on National Insurance thresholds was announced by Mrs Reeves, alongside changes to salary sacrifice pension contributions above £2,000. There was also a freeze on…

A handyman who has experience removing squatters said he helped one homeowner reclaim her Hollywood property from Iron Chef winner Adam Fleischman, who was allegedly living there rent-free.After the homeowner, Claudia, contacted handyman Flash Shelton, he went to the house and confronted Fleischman for squatting in the home since May without ever paying rent.Shelton posted the video of the confrontation to his YouTube channel, hoping media attention would urge Fleischman to move out.Fleischman confirmed to Fox News that he left the home on Monday and no longer lives there.Shelton told Fox News: “I asked him if he felt that he…

The Communities and Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) has launched procurement for a building materials supply framework worth up to £1.94bn.Running from May 2026 to April 2034, the eight-year framework will cover the supply and delivery of materials including plumbing, electrical, retrofitting, ironmongery, glazing, roofing, timber and flooring.Painting and decorating materials, managed stores, tools and plant hire are also included.CHIC is procuring the framework on behalf of its members, along with Efficiency North and other public sector clients that may join during its lifetime.The contract will be available to CHIC members’ directly managed workforces and external contractors delivering responsive repairs, void…

Following The Times’ recent coverage on jobs most and least at risk from automation, plastering was recognised by Microsoft as one of the UK’s safest professions in the world of AI. In this article, Sam Blacknell, Head of Skills and Partnerships at British Gypsum and Isover, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, explores why that recognition matters – and why, even in a digital era, the future of construction will always depend on people. In an age where artificial intelligence dominates headlines and digital transformation is reshaping industries, it’s reassuring to see skilled trades celebrated for their lasting value. For a…

Victorian Plumbing’s (VIC) share price barely budged on results day despite a decent set of final numbers, as investors remained unconvinced by the group’s efforts to revive legacy British furniture brand MFI.The Lancashire-headquartered company delivered higher revenues as a result of market share gains in its core bathroom business, with order volumes growing by 6 per cent to 1.1mn. It also increased adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation by 17 per cent, to reach £32mn. This was driven by revenue growth and “more efficient marketing”.  Overall marketing spend as a share of revenue decreased by 140 basis points…

On November 26, Hong Kong witnessed a deadly fire in Wang Fuk Court in the city’s northern Tai Po district, it is a crowded high-rise complex was engulfed in flames. The death toll has mounted to 159, and left missing. And now, a student union-run notice board at Hong Kong Baptist University which has been monikered the ‘democracy wall demanded justice. The board has now been blocked, though the message remains visible from even behind the tall barricades. “We are Hongkongers. Urge the government to respond to public demands so justice can be done,” the notice stuck on the democracy…

Prince Harry delivered an unexpected move during his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.While the public often sees him in serious settings, giving talks, attending royal engagements or sharing occasional candid moments, few would have imagined that the Duke of Sussex has a hidden talent.In a post on Instagram, the teaser featured the star-studded guests which included Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, Irish actress and singer Jessie Buckley and Prince Harry.Instead of a usual promotional teaser, the show released a video of the 41-year-old putting his own spin on Alison Hammond’s viral Great British Bake Off soundbite.Prince Harry,…

A British homeware chain has been saved after it collapsed due to months of increasing losses. Fired Earth, a home interiors brand known for tiles, paints, and bathroom products, closed all its showrooms across the UK after collapsing into administration in November.The chain closed all 26 of its UK stores, as well as their showrooms, resulting in the loss of 133 jobs. However, the store has since been saved by Topps Tiles, in what management has called a “significant opportunity”.The £3million deal made between the two retailers includes Fired Earth’s brand name, online business and approximately £2.5 million worth of…

The work is already making a difference at RSPB Pulborough Brooks and RSPB Pagham Harbour, where new dams, sluices and other upgrades are supporting wildlife conservation and improving public access. The improvements come as part of the wider £2.4 million Downs to the Sea project, which aims to restore a network of wetlands and blue spaces across the region. Pulborough Brooks. (Image: RSPB) Oriole Wagstaff, senior site manager at RSPB South Downs reserves, said: “This work marks a major success for both wildlife and people at RSPB Pulborough Brooks. “Thanks to the new water management structures, we now have far…