New levy applies to qualifying residential developments in England from 1 October 2026 The Building Safety Levy has now come into operation in England, marking another significant change to the regulatory and cost landscape for residential construction. Introduced under the Building Safety Act, the Levy is intended to raise funds

A major milestone for the Masonry Association of Great Britain just 18 months after launch The Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB) is celebrating a major milestone after its CEO, Eve Livett, was named in the Membership World Top 100 – recognising the most influential people working across the membership

New rules coming into force on 1 October 2026 will extend Right to Work responsibilities beyond traditional employees — with important implications for the construction and masonry sector. From 1 October 2026, changes to the UK Right to Work Scheme will come into effect, extending the responsibilities placed on businesses

The Masonry Association has welcomed the Government’s announcement that technical education will become a central part of the curriculum for young people from the age of 14, describing the move as a significant step towards addressing the construction skills crisis and restoring parity between academic and vocational learning. Under the

The first week of Andy Burnham’s premiership has certainly caught the attention of the construction industry. While many of the Government’s long-term plans are still to be unveiled, the early signals point towards an agenda centred on housing delivery, regional investment, skills and devolved decision-making – all areas that have

Over the past two weeks, the Masonry Association has been working with PLF to deliver CITB Short Duration Training across five sites in Wigan, Manchester and Cheshire. Training was delivered to 40 operatives, covering two specialist courses: Installing Fire Breaks and Barriers Specialist DPC Systems The majority of the programme

CITB’s newly published Business Plan for 2026–27 represents a significant shift in how construction skills funding and workforce development will be approached over the coming years. At the centre of the Plan is a much stronger focus on competence, workforce capability and productivity. CITB has clearly recognised that the construction

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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 construction industry has long recognised the value that military leavers bring to civilian life: discipline, teamwork, resilience and pride in a job well done. Military to Masonry has been created to turn those qualities into a guaranteed pathway into skilled employment in the bricklaying and masonry sector. This is

UK construction activity has fallen sharply, with the latest Government figures revealing the steepest quarterly decline in almost three years as uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget weighed heavily on confidence across the sector. New data from the Office for National Statistics shows total construction output dropped by 1.1% in

The UK Government has published its third quarterly progress update on implementing the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, reaffirming its commitment to fundamental reform across building safety, fire services, housing and emergency response systems. Overall Progress As of mid-December 2025, the Government reports that: 61 recommendations from the Grenfell

The CITB has today confirmed a major overhaul of its funding and grant system, including significant cuts, a move likely to ripple across the UK construction sector. The changes, to take effect from early 2026, represent one of the most wide-ranging shifts in recent memory, and come as a blow

PRESS STATEMENT The Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB) Response to the Autumn Budget The Masonry Association of Great Britain welcomes several elements of the Autumn Budget that offer long-term potential for our sector—particularly the renewed commitment to infrastructure investment and efforts to strengthen planning capacity. These measures are positive

We were delighted to attend and support the Brick Awards 2025, one of the top events in our sector celebrating craftsmanship, design and excellence in clay brick architecture. As a sponsor and proud member of the masonry community, The Masonry Association had a fantastic evening. 🏆 Supreme Winner: Silvertown Tunnel

New industry forecasts show the UK construction sector is set to rebound sharply over the next two years, offering a major boost for masonry companies and contractors. According to the Glenigan Autumn Forecast for 2026–2027, construction activity is forecast to grow by 21% during this period. Key Drivers Behind the

The Masonry Association has formally established its new Technical Board, chaired by Keith Aldis, marking a major step forward in uniting the UK’s masonry supply chain under a coordinated, transparent and technically driven forum. Bringing together representatives from brick and block manufacturers, contractors, installers, fire safety specialists, fixings and support

The Masonry Association is proud to announce that it will be sponsoring The Brick Awards 2025, the UK’s premier celebration of excellence in clay brick architecture, craftsmanship and innovation. The awards ceremony will take place on 5 November 2025 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. As a sponsor, the

It was a moment of promise and purpose when Mayor Richard Parker stood at Dudley College, trowel in hand, to unveil a bold new vision: a £75 million skills package to train more than 12,000 people over the next three years across the West Midlands, closing the widening gap in

What Our Sector Needs from the Budget A Fair and Supportive Tax Environment The VAT system should incentivise and not penalise, essential construction work. We call for VAT relief on retrofit and energy efficiency improvements, where the correct use of masonry and its ancillary products can play a vital role

Masonry Association member Bliss Brickwork has recently taken advantage of our exclusive member discount to complete the Visqueen Registered Installer Scheme — a new, industry-recognised training programme for bricklayers who install damp proof course (DPC) products. Delivered by the National Masonry Academy in partnership with Visqueen and CITB, this one-day

  The Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB), an established trade body dedicated to representing all companies, businesses and organisations working within the masonry sector of UK construction, is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Aldis as its new Chairman.   Keith brings a wealth of leadership experience spanning

Cement production in the UK has plummeted to its lowest level since 1950, with serious implications for the masonry industry, which relies on it as a foundational material. According to the Mineral Products Association (MPA), just 7.3 million tonnes of cement were produced domestically in 2024—roughly half of the output

SME housebuilders are set to benefit from a major new funding partnership between Relendex and the British Business Bank. Relendex, a specialist peer-to-peer property finance platform, has secured £15 million through the Bank’s Investment Programme, aimed at unlocking finance for smaller housebuilders and developers across the UK. As part of

We’re pleased to announce that the National Masonry Academy is now part of the CITB Employer Networks, a major step forward in making high-quality training even more accessible to the masonry and wider construction sector. As part of this initiative, CITB levy-paying employers can now access training through the Academy with 70% of the

The Building Safety Act forms the cornerstone of the UK’s new building safety framework and introduces a critical requirement for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs): the establishment of a Golden Thread of information. The Golden Thread serves as a single, reliable source of truth—a Common Data Environment—capturing all information relevant to the

Supporting the Next Generation: MAGB to Attend Guild of Bricklayers National Finals at Sunderland College We’re proud to announce that the Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB) will be attending the Guild of Bricklayers 2025 National Finals at Sunderland College’s City Campus on Thursday, 5th June, in support of the

The UK government is increasingly turning its attention to smaller housebuilders—and for good reason. As the country pushes to hit ambitious housing targets, ministers and policymakers are realising that relying solely on large developers isn’t enough. To truly “Get Britain Building,” small and medium-sized builders (SMEs) must be part of

One of the UK’s leading housebuilders, Barratt Homes, has announced plans to deliver what could be the largest Passive House housing development in the country to date. This bold step – set to take shape in London – signals a major shift in mainstream housebuilding towards ultra-low energy standards and

The government has announced a major boost to UK skills with 120,000 new training opportunities—great news for young people looking to start careers in construction and other high-demand sectors. This move is part of a national drive to get Britain building and working, with a £3 billion apprenticeship budget backing

In a significant move to enhance vocational training and address youth unemployment, the UK government has unveiled the first seven Foundation Apprenticeships. These programs are designed to provide young individuals with practical skills and a pathway into various industries. What Are Foundation Apprenticeships? Foundation Apprenticeships are entry-level programs aimed at

The UK Government’s latest White Paper on Immigration, released this spring, has reignited a critical conversation in the construction industry: how we balance the urgent need for skilled labour with the longer-term imperative to invest in domestic talent. What’s in the White Paper? The paper outlines a revised approach to

New home registrations in London have dropped by 38%, making the capital the only UK region to see a significant decline in housing starts. According to warranty provider NHBC, the fall is largely due to delays caused by the new building safety regime, with developers struggling to navigate the Gateway

As a female CEO in the construction industry, I’ve spent years navigating a profession where women are often in the minority. I’ve faced sexism and harassment — some subtle, some glaring — and I’ll admit, in the past, I let a lot of it slide. I often told myself that

Nuclear plants, trainlines and windfarms will be built quicker thanks to changes to the rules to stop blockers getting in the way of the government’s Plan for Change. Current excessive rules mean unarguable cases can be brought back to the courts three times – causing years of delay and hundreds

The Construction Products Association is predicting modest growth for the industry this year and stronger growth for 2026, but admits no great certainty in its forecasts given world events. There is not much trade in building materials between the UK and the USA, so President Trump’s tariffs are unlikely to

UK manufacturers, especially in masonry, are under mounting pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. New regulations and corporate expectations are tightening, and the road to compliance is both challenging and full of opportunity. New Legislation on the Horizon From May 2025, large manufacturers will be expected to align with: The

As the construction industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a necessity. For companies working in the masonry sector, this shift presents both a challenge and a real opportunity to futureproof operations, improve competitiveness, and meet the rising

Looking Ahead – What to Watch in April Upcoming Tax & Financial Changes National Insurance Cuts – The second phase of NI reductions for employees and the self-employed comes into effect in April, which may benefit SMEs. VAT Reverse Charge for Construction – HMRC has confirmed increased scrutiny on compliance,

Spring Statement 2025 – What does it mean for Masonry?   Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement on March 26, 2025, introduced several measures poised to impact the UK construction and masonry industries. Housing and Construction Initiatives A notable announcement is the £2 billion boost to the Affordable Homes Programme, aiming

Government to invest £600 million into construction Training & Apprenticeships 23rd March 2025 School leavers should get a job on a building site rather than turn to a life on benefits, Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, has said. She said that too many young people were unemployed and that construction offered