Financial & Legal
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A new White Paper targets tougher oversight of construction products. Proposals would bring all products under designated standards or a general safety requirement, license UK conformity assessment bodies, and introduce sanctions including unlimited fines and up to two years’ imprisonment, with consultation open until 20 May 2026.
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Environment Agency will deploy 33-strong drone squad against waste crime. The unit will use aerial surveillance, with some drones upgraded for Lidar laser mapping, alongside a new screening tool cross-checking lorry operator licence applications against waste permits to flag suspect operators early.
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Northumberland County Council reapproved the Northside dolerite quarry after review. The 28.7-hectare scheme near Kirkwhelpington covers 2.8 million tonnes of extraction, following a redetermination process and updated climate assessment.
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Currie & Brown sees cost inflation easing, but volatility persists. Its latest outlook suggests a more stable baseline for materials pricing versus recent years, yet warns that disruption risk and shifting trade tariffs could still trigger sharp spikes that complicate procurement and contracting in 2026.
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RICS data shows UK construction workloads stayed broadly flat again. Q4 2025 net balances remain negative overall, but infrastructure is positive, and forward indicators have strengthened for 2026, despite financial constraints and planning pressures continuing to hold back activity.
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A bricks bill has progressed through Parliament with fresh updates. The proposal would require the Secretary of State to publish plans to increase the use of UK-manufactured bricks, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains for housing delivery and reduce reliance on imported masonry products.