UrProject

UK Construction Week in Review. 10 April 2026.

Three things worth knowing before you close out the week.

1. Activity is down hard. Glenigan’s April Index shows on-site starts dropped 17% against Q4 and sit 18% below this time last year. Residential is down 30% year-on-year. Civil engineering fell off a cliff.

The Iran conflict and closed trade routes are adding pressure on top of an already weak domestic pipeline. If you are planning labour and procurement for Q3, now is not the time to be reactive.

2. Retentions are being banned. The government confirmed it will outlaw retention payments in construction contracts.

This is the biggest payment reform in over 25 years. For subcontractors and specialist trades who have been starved of cashflow for decades, it matters. Implementation is still 12 to 24 months away, but the direction is set.

3. Kier has started a £700m highways contract with Norfolk County Council, bringing 100 staff across from the previous contractor. Large frameworks moving is always a signal worth watching.

Tight market. Big regulatory shifts.

The companies that control their operations and their records will be the ones still standing when activity recovers.

Have a good weekend.

UrProject

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Had a conversation with a site manager last week about day rates. His view was that good tradespeople should never have to chase money or argue about what was agreed. The rate should be locked before you start, signed off by both sides, and that is it. Sounds simple. Why does it not work like that most of the time?