UK Brick Prices Surge as Supply Pressures and Energy Costs Hit Construction Sector
UK brick prices are climbing sharply once again, adding fresh pressure to housebuilders, contractors and homeowners already grappling with rising construction costs. Industry data and supplier updates suggest the latest wave of increases is being driven by a combination of higher energy prices, supply chain disruption and weakening domestic brick production. Manufacturers and merchants across […]
£1 Billion Apprenticeship Boost to Support 50,000 Young People
The UK Government has announced a major £1 billion investment aimed at helping 50,000 more young people access apprenticeships and high-quality training opportunities over the next three years, as part of a wider push to tackle youth unemployment and close skills gaps across key industries. The funding package forms part of the Government’s broader reforms […]
Eve Livett Appointed Junior Vice President of the Guild of Bricklayers
The Masonry Association of Great Britain is proud to announce that Chief Executive Eve Livett has been appointed Junior Vice President of the Guild of Bricklayers — marking a significant milestone both personally and for the wider masonry sector. Eve becomes the first woman to hold a leadership position within the Guild, reflecting the evolving […]
Masonry Association Launches Industry Survey on Cavity Barrier Installation
The Masonry Association Technical Committee has launched a new industry-wide survey to better understand the real-world challenges and best practices associated with the installation of compression-fit cavity barriers. This initiative forms part of the Association’s ongoing work to bridge the gap between technical guidance and practical site application—a key theme identified by members across the […]
Supply Chain Pressures Highlight Need for Collaboration
Rising tensions in the Middle East are beginning to ripple through global construction supply chains, with several major manufacturers warning of price increases across key materials. In recent weeks, contractors across the UK have reported sudden uplifts in the cost of essential products. While the increases are still emerging, early indications suggest they could place […]
New Garden Town Set to Transform Essex with 10,000 Homes
A major new “garden town” development is set to reshape part of southern England, with plans unveiled for a large-scale community delivering around 10,000 new homes, thousands of jobs, and significant economic growth. The project, known as Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, will be built across land near Harlow on the Essex–Hertfordshire border. Designed as […]
Plans to Merge CITB and ECITB Spark Industry Debate
The UK construction and engineering sectors are bracing for major structural reform after the government confirmed it will consult on merging the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) into a single national body. The proposed merger, announced earlier this month, will be subject to a 12-week industry consultation, […]
Construction Industry Faces Shake-Up as Retentions Are Banned
The construction sector is entering a new era following a landmark decision to ban the long-standing practice of cash retentions in contracts—a move widely hailed as a victory for subcontractors and small firms, but one that raises fresh questions about risk management across the industry. For decades, retentions have been a standard feature of construction […]
Construction Products Reform White Paper: What It Means for the Masonry Sector
The UK Government has published its Construction Products Reform White Paper, setting out far-reaching proposals to overhaul the construction products regulatory regime. The reforms follow findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and represent a fundamental shift towards a safety-led system designed to restore confidence, strengthen accountability and improve transparency across the entire construction products supply […]
Masonry Association Forms Exciting New Partnership with Lady Manners School, Bakewell
The Masonry Association is proud to announce a new partnership with Lady Manners School — a forward-thinking secondary school in Bakewell that is leading the way by offering Construction as a GCSE option. “From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was absolutely blown away. The passion, professionalism and ambition shown by both staff […]