Construction policy briefing: April

This month’s Construction policy briefing brings members in the sector a range of economy-wide updates and the latest on specific infrastructure and energy developments. The government’s roadmap to reopening the economy progresses, with confirmation that non-essential retail can open this week, while HM Treasury has published a raft of new tax consultations aimed at revamping parts of the tax system.

How businesses can navigate COVID-19 status certification

The CBI has consulted with businesses across the economy on how COVID-19 status certification could work successfully in partnership with the vaccine rollout and testing programmes while allowing businesses to continue operating effectively, at a key moment where more of the UK economy is reopening for business.

The CBI’s response argues for a voluntary certification scheme underpinned by seven principles, including alignment across all four UK nations.

The Future Buildings Standard – give the CBI your views

The CBI has responded to an MHCLG consultation on the Future Buildings Standard, which sets out a high-level vision for how non-domestic buildings should be constructed and managed from 2025. Following this consultation, the government will be consulting in full, including industry research and engagement.

Get in touch with the CBI to discuss our response, and how we can influence government thinking on future building standards.

Government has also confirmed its response to the Future Homes Standard, which will be relevant to businesses building, developing and maintaining homes.

Call for Evidence on tenant-landlord relationships in commercial properties

Following the challenges faced by many businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a ban on evictions from commercial property for non-payment of leases while many businesses have been forced to close, the government is now carrying out a Call for Evidence on the commercial property landscape.

Government is looking for evidence on current lease arrangements, firms’ ability to pay rent moving forward, the status of tenant-landlord relationships, and more information. This insight will inform government thinking on how to exit the current eviction notice and statutory demand bans, and what measures might be needed in the future to protect jobs.

The CBI encourages all members with views on this to submit them directly to the government’s vital Call for Evidence.

Government introduces plan for industrial decarbonisation

The government has published a roadmap for decarbonising industry and manufacturing, building on key points in the Energy White Paper launched in December 2020.

The CBI submitted evidence towards the government’s decarbonisation plan prior to its announcement, and welcomed these initial steps for business to take forward. With an ambition to reduce industrial emissions by 90% ahead of 2050, the CBI recognises the targets will be stretching for some members. We look forward to collaborating with a range of firms on the CBI’s work with government on making a success of industrial decarbonisation.

The future’s hybrid? Support new ways of working with the CBI’s landmark report into hybrid working

Last month we published an exclusive member guide, taking an in-depth look at what CBI members are forecasting for the future of working. More than three-quarters expect flexible working is here to stay and nearly half anticipate their workforce will adopt a fully hybrid approach beyond this year.

The CBI’s report contains business evidence, practical guidance and innovative ideas for businesses in different sectors to consider when planning how their company will operate in the future, supporting employees wherever they might be based.

CBI responds to Treasury’s ‘Tax Day’ publications

On 23 March, following the Spring Budget earlier in the month, HM Treasury published its intention to conduct a raft of consultations on potential changes to tax policy. These included proposals relevant to the construction, housing and infrastructure sector, including a review of the Aggregates Levy, and plans to consult on a ‘residential property developer tax’ to subsidise the cost of cladding remediation works.

The CBI is prioritising three key cross-economy responses to the Treasury’s tax consultations. However we are also keen to hear from members on specific tax policies that impact their business, including the forthcoming business rates review, which will be a separate major piece of work for the CBI. Get in touch to find out more.