Construction policy briefing: May

The success of the UK’s vaccination programme and the phased easing of social distancing measures, coupled with extended financial support for businesses, mean companies in all sectors – and their customers – are looking forward with increasing confidence to the economy reopening and coronavirus restrictions being lifted.

The Revival starts here

But with three-quarters of businesses surveyed by the CBI expecting hybrid working to be a feature of their future working patterns, what will this mean for our urban centres? How many people will continue living, working and socialising in our towns and cities? Will ‘levelling up’ mean regeneration around the country? And how big a role will net-zero play in decision making?

All these questions and many more were discussed at the CBI’s Urban Revival Conference, held online with speakers from cities around the world, insight from global companies like Google, Diageo and Burger King, and a huge cast list of forward-thinking CBI members.

• Watch Tony Danker’s opening remarks,
• Read our key takeaways for business leaders,
• Catch up on a range of expert views about the future of work.

The entire conference will shortly be on MyCBI for members to access every session.

CBI calls for bolder, faster action on building standards

The CBI has responded to an MHCLG consultation on the Future Buildings Standard, calling for government to match its ambition for future buildings with a robust target for the UK’s existing buildings.

While the need to build net-zero ready buildings is paramount, the CBI response urged government to focus on the greater mountain to climb when it comes to low-carbon buildings: reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency of the existing 29 million homes and 1.7 million buildings.

The CBI’s full response welcomed the role that higher standards can play to drive investment in skills to create more sustainable homes and buildings, and highlighted the importance in government’s plans to strengthen the use of data in energy performance.

Read the CBI’s response and get in touch to participate in our work on energy efficient buildings.

A mental health standard for the construction industry

The CBI is supporting a mental health standards organisation Grae Matter Foundation to research and develop a Mental Health Standard for construction. Grae Matter are keen to hear from CBI members on their existing mental health support for employees, and have set up a three question survey.

Please take part in the survey, or forward on the link to colleagues responsible for workforce and mental health in your organisation.

The journey begins for green commutes

Greener Miles is the CBI’s latest report in our series on commuting. Transport accounts for around a third of UK emissions and within that, 20% is caused by commutes.

In Greener Miles: Delivering on a net-zero vision for commuting, the CBI sets out four major areas where government policy and business behaviours can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of commuting.

With the country’s ambition to ‘build back better’ from the impact of coronavirus, government should be using this opportunity to rethink investment in transport infrastructure to prepare for low-emission, clean travel options. For businesses, moving the dial on sustainable work journeys can be a way to demonstrate real progress on reducing carbon emissions. Read Greener Miles to get the full picture.

Seizing the moment to transform the UK’s economy

Tony Danker will give a landmark speech on the UK’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the challenges facing the economy and transform the economy’s future. Seize The Moment will give businesses the vision, tools and insight to take action and transform the growth and prosperity prospects for all regions of the UK.

Be in the (virtual) audience for Tony Danker’s speech: sign up here to watch live on 19 May.