SPRA Awards 2026 – Limited Tickets & Entry Deadline Approaching
The countdown is on for the SPRA Awards 2026, taking place on Wednesday 1st July 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. This flagship industry event will once again bring the sector together to celebrate excellence, innovation, and outstanding achievements.
Award Entries
There is still time to showcase your best projects, innovations, and successes from the past year – deadline 30th April. Don’t miss your opportunity to gain recognition across the industry.
Submit your entries here: SPRA Awards Submission
Tickets – Limited availability
Tickets are selling quickly and availability is now limited. Secure your place to join colleagues from across the industry for a day of recognition, celebration, and valuable networking.
Get your tickets here: SPRA Awards Tickets
For any questions, email enquiries@spra.co.uk.
SPRA & ROCKWOOL Limited Open Day – Wednesday 3rd June 2026
We have another SPRA Contractor Open Day coming up, this time in collaboration with ROCKWOOL Limited on Wednesday 03 June 2026.
Hosted by the Single Ply Roofing Association and ROCKWOOL Limited, the session is ideal for those involved in procurement, contracts, design, estimating, site management, or surveying. The event will cover key topics including legal duties, training opportunities, and competence standards, along with a presentation from ROCKWOOL Limited and the chance to network with industry colleagues over lunch.
Date: Wednesday 03 June 2026
Time: 10:15 – 13:15 (registration from 09:45)
Location: ROCKWOOL Limited, Hams Hall, Canton Lane, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 1GA
Please get in touch to register your attendance as soon as possible to secure your spot.
To sign up or for more information, please email enquiries@spra.co.uk.
NextGen Update
Thank you to all SPRA contractor members who completed the recent contractors survey – your feedback is greatly appreciated. We are now using the information gathered to help drive positive change within the industry.
The SPRA NextGen working group continues to promote single ply roofing and highlight the career opportunities available, including engagement with ex-military personnel through BFRS events.
BFRS Confirmed 2026 Events:
- Aldershot – 14 May 2026
- Tidworth – 17 September 2026
- Catterick – 26 November 2026
If you would like to get involved with the NextGen working group, please contact nextgen@spra.co.uk.
Wind Load Calculation Protocol (WLCP) – Online Sessions
These highly popular online sessions, suitable for both SPRA members and non-members, are designed around the SPRA guidance document: Wind Loading – Protocol for Calculations (S11b/19).
The course consists of three 2-hour online sessions, covering the guidance in detail with extensive references to the relevant standards and supporting industry information.
SPRA members continue to enjoy reduced course rates.
For more information, contact enquiries@spra.co.uk.
Wishing all SPRA members a safe and productive week!
Training & Competency Development – Specialist Applied-Skills Programme (SAP)
SPRA provides specialist training and competency development for single ply roofing professionals, including the Specialist Applied-Skills Programme (SAP) and SUP/OSAT upskilling and assessment for installers.
These industry-recognised programmes can contribute towards the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Waterproofing Systems – Single Ply Membranes. SPRA contractor members benefit from reduced course rates, and CITB-registered companies may be eligible for grant funding.
Upcoming SAP dates and locations will be announced soon, our next one starting towards the end of 2026. Register your interest now to secure a place on future courses.
📧 Enquire and register trainees: training@spra.co.uk
Build UK Update
Improving the Building Safety Regime
A combination of the Government’s ambition to implement the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) responding to industry’s feedback on the building safety regime has led to a raft of consultation documents being published ahead of the pre‐election period of sensitivity.
In its response to the Inquiry, the Government confirmed that the BSR would keep Approved Document B (Fire Safety) under continuous review, and a consultation has now been published on proposed changes to Volume 1: Dwellings and Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings. The proposals include introducing a threshold whereby the guidance within Approved Document B should not be applied when combustible elements of structure are used; revising guidance on external wall systems and balconies and reviewing the scope of the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls; and recommending the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18 metres. The deadline to submit a response is Wednesday 17 June.
- Category A and Category B work – Proposals include changing the legal definitions of ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ building work, so that documentation requirements better reflect the scale of the work, in order to reduce the administrative burden for applicants whilst helping the BSR to focus on more complex cases. The deadline for responses is Thursday 28 May.
- Fire risk assessors – Following agreement by Government that fire risk assessors will become a formally regulated profession, MHCLG is seeking views on how competence and standards of professional behaviour would be demonstrated and enforced, as well as the arrangements for professional registration. The deadline for responses is Thursday 18 June.
Source: Build UK / BSR
Building Safety Regulator Update
The BSR has published itsstrategic plan setting out the five priorities that will guide its work over the next 12 months, including improving operations, supporting remediation of unsafe cladding, ensuring safe construction and smooth Gateway Three approvals, keeping building standards under review, and improving professional standards.
The guidance published by the BSR on Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) has been revised to use the term ‘safety occurrence’, rather than ‘mandatory occurrence’, andBuild UKhas updated itsMOR guidance accordingly. The MOR system that will be implemented during the construction phase must be included in the application for Building Control Approval submitted atGateway Two, and the template MOR system contained within theBuild UKguide has not changed.
The BSR has confirmed toBuild UKthat it is currently reviewing how HRBs are selected to apply for aBuilding Assessment Certificate after a number of concerns were raised about the process. We are awaiting an update and will provide further information as soon as we have it.
A ‘Culture Change Framework’ has been published by the BSR to support individuals and organisations across the sector to drive positive and lasting culture change. It contains practical guidance on improving culture, based around five ‘drivers’ of good culture, and members will need to register on theBuilt Environment Competence Hub to access it.
Finally, Dr Barbara Lane has been appointed as Chair of the Building Advisory Committee, which advises the BSR on all matters other than competence. She will be supported by Dr Hywel Davies OBE who has taken on the role of Vice Chair.
Source: Build UK / BSR
BS 8214 Updated
The BSI has published a revised version ofBS 8214, which provides recommendations for fire‐resisting and smoke control doors. The changes include expanding coverage to fire door assemblies of all materials, clarifying installation requirements, and updating smoke control recommendations to align with the most recent version ofBS 9991.
Source: Build UK / BSI
Competence Update
At our last Building Safety call, the Building Professions Team from MHCLG presented its overarching strategy for theregulation of built environment professions. It was recognised that the current regulatory framework is complex and fragmented, and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry made detailed recommendations for reforming a number of professions, including architects, building control, fire engineers, principal contractors, and principal designers.
MHCLG is committed to working with industry to improve what is already in place, rather than recreating the system from scratch, and it will be publishing a call for evidence this spring, seeking views on potential reforms, including whether more professions should be subject to mandatory registration and licensing requirements.Build UKis liaising closely with MHCLG on how a licensing scheme for contractors might operate, with theCommon Assessment Standard already being used by organisations across the public and private sectors to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their roles under the Building Safety Act.
The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) is consulting ondraft Principles for Informed Clients, which set out a framework for how clients can support and drive competence across the built environment. The framework can be applied across different project types, procurement routes and organisational contexts, and the deadline tosubmit a response isTuesday 5 May.
Source: Build UK
Building Safety Update
Thelatest data on Gateway Two applications issued by the BSR for the period 5 January to 29 March 2026 shows that 284 decisions were made across all application types – new build, refurbishment and remediation – with an approval rate of 67%. This compared to 326 applications that were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) isconsulting on the introduction of more stringent building control requirements for new homes and work to existing dwellings below 18 metres where the Fire Safety Order applies, in order to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations. The changes, which would align plan approval requirements for local authorities and Registered Building Control Approvers, include requiring applications to be submitted with full plans and introducing a new ground for the rejection of a final certificate if a plans certificate has not been given. The deadline tosubmit a response isThursday 11 June.
The High Court hasissued the second Building Liability Order (BLO) as part of its ruling inCrest Nicholson v Ardmore. A BLO, which was introduced under the Building Safety Act, allows the court to extend legal responsibility for building safety defects beyond the original developer to associated companies, where the original developer has dissolved or possesses insufficient assets. As part of the verdict, the High Court confirmed the key principles fordetermining when it is ‘just and equitable’ to issue a BLO and thatadjudicators can issue BLOs as part of their decisions.
The Scottish Government haspassed legislation introducing a Building Safety Levy in Scotland from1 April 2028 to fund its remediation programme. The newLevy will apply to newly built properties, including build to rent homes and student accommodation, with exemptions for social and affordable housing and homes built on islands. To support SME developers, the first 29 new builds a year will also be exempted, and the Levy rates will be confirmed in June.
Source: Build UK / BSR
Changes Proposed to RIDDOR
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a consultation on amending the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), which will increase the amount of information that must be reported to the HSE. The proposed changes are designed to help tackle work‐related ill health and include:
- Expanding the list of Dangerous Occurrences to include those related to the excavation, boring or maintenance of any tunnel over 1.2 metres in diameter; the unintentional fall or dropping of any object from a building or structure under demolition or construction; and the overturning of construction plant.
- Increasing the number of occupational diseases from six to 19, including noise‐induced hearing loss, asbestosis, and pneumoconiosis (including silicosis), and permitting their diagnosis by other types of registered health practitioners, not just doctors.
- Clarifying definitions, such as ‘work‐related’, ‘injury’ and ‘routine work’, which have previously been identified as unclear or ambiguous.
The consultation also covers improvements to the online reporting system to tackle both under and over reporting, and the deadline to submit a response is Tuesday 30 June.
However, the BSR has changed the way it presents the data again, making it difficult to track progress. ‘Complex cases’ are now being recorded separately to other applications, invalid and withdrawn applications have been grouped together, and applications are no longer classified as with an account manager. The Innovation Unit, which processes new build applications, recorded 14 invalid and withdrawn applications, 31 decisions with an approval rate of 61%, and 18 ‘complex cases’ in this period.
The median approval time for remediation applications has increased from 31 to 36 weeks, and the BSR has now published its external remediation improvement plan to speed up these applications. Measures include establishing a new external remediation multi‐disciplinary team (MDT) and using ‘Approval with Requirements’ so that projects can start while technical issues are resolved. The plan also identifies common gaps in remediation applications, including insufficient evidence of fire‐resistance properties in replacement cladding and a lack of structural loading calculations.
The BSR has published a one‐year strategic plan, setting out five priorities that will guide its work over the next 12 months, together with an updated charging scheme for 2026/27. Each application for Building Control Approval submitted at Gateway Two will now cost £195, up from £189, with the hourly charge to review it increasing from £151 to £156 per person.
The Building (Higher‐Risk Building Procedures) (Wales) Regulations will come into force on 1 July 2026, and the Welsh Government is hosting webinars on Tuesday 21 April and Tuesday 28 April to outline the changes. Members who wish to attend should email the Welsh Government and confirm their language preference (English or Welsh).
Source: Build UK / BSR
CPA Update
Economics Update
CPA Weekly UK Economic and Construction Update
The latest weekly update can be found here it includes:
- CPA View on Middle East Conflict and Potential Effects (24 April 2026)
- Insolvency Service Construction Insolvencies (February 2026)
- RIBA Future Trends Survey (March 2026)
- Crest Nicholson Trading Update (April 2026)
The Construction Trade Survey Q4 2025 was published 16th March and can be found here.
The State of Trade Survey 2025 Q4 was published on Monday 9th February and can be found here.
The CPA’s Winter Forecasts were published on Monday 26 January and can be found here.
The Construction Trade Survey Q4 2025 was published 16th March and can be found here.
The State of Trade Survey 2025 Q4 was published on Monday 9th February and can be found here.
The CPA’s Winter Forecasts were published on Monday 26 January and can be found here.
Source: CPA
Government Update
CPA Consultation Tracker
With an increasing number of consultations being launched by government, the CPA has launched a tracker with those consultations that are relevant to CPA membership. It can be found for members here.
New consultations will still be reported the Weekly Notes for a limited time.
Government Energy Scheme for Some Manufacturers
The UK government has confirmed plans—originally announced in 2025—to reduce electricity costs for energy-intensive manufacturers, including those producing construction products, by up to 25%. The support will be delivered through an expanded British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), extending eligibility to more firms across key supply chain sectors such as cement, glass, steel and other construction materials. The policy is intended to help UK manufacturers compete with international rivals that benefit from lower energy costs.
From April 2027, eligible businesses will benefit from exemptions on certain policy-related electricity charges, alongside a one-off payment to cover support for the period before the scheme begins. For construction product manufacturers, many of which rely on energy-intensive processes, the changes are expected to ease cost pressures, support domestic production, and strengthen the resilience of UK construction supply chains—without increasing bills for households or other businesses. The full scheme can be found here.
BSR Plans to Reduce Delays
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has introduced a comprehensive plan to reduce external remediation delays and improve management of application caseloads. The plan is aimed at increasing the speed of essential higher-risk building (HRB) safety works across England. You can access the full BSR statement here.
- To address application issues, BSR has published initial external remediation-driven guidance. The guidance has benefits across all work to existing HRBs. BSR will publish further improved feedback, resources and support targeted at these applicants over the coming months.
- A new external remediation multidisciplinary team (MDT) will be established, supported by account managers
- A recruitment drive aims to reduce individual caseloads from around 25 to approximately 10 cases
A more flexible approvals approach will allow projects to begin while resolving technical issues
Addressing delays and system pressures
- Approximately 40% of remediation applications rely on government funding, with older and complex cases contributing to delays
- Incomplete or poor-quality submissions have been identified as a key cause of delays
- The BSR will increase direct engagement with applicants and introduce clearer prioritisation
Targets and transparency
- The BSR aims to reduce average decision times to under 12 weeks by December 2026
- Monthly transparency data will include remediation decisions
- The regulator aims to reduce its caseload to 80–100 cases by September 2026
Restrictions to the use and manufacture of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – consultation
The EU’s ECHA’s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) has published a consultation on its draft opinion on the restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFASs. This closes on 25 May 2026. More information can be found here. In the UK, government issued its intentions in the PFAS Plan: Building a safer future together.
Source: CPA