By Christopher Stride, Chairman, Insulating Concrete Formwork Association (ICFA) The Future Homes Standard 2026 has landed. After years of consultation, delays, and industry debate, the Government published the Building Circular 01/2026 in March 2026. Issued by the UK Ministry of…
In the UK we are obsessed with the weather – especially rain. And, with the wet winter we’ve recently experienced, it’s a topic we’re constantly talking about it. With rainfall volumes increasing year on year, the need for flood resistant…
Christopher Stride, Chairman of Insulated Concrete Formwork Association, explains how we can build Britain back better in the face of a major skills shortage We’ve heard the headlines by now – the UK is “short of construction skills”. And it’s not just a little short, it’s a chronic shortage…
If you’re a developer working on a construction project, there’s a very strong chance you’ve heard of ICF by now. Maybe you’ve heard how building with ICF blocks offers superior property strength, speeds up the build programme or integrates easily…
In recent years, the construction industry has been navigating the introduction of interim Part L uplift measures. However, as we head into 2026, all eyes are now on the hotly anticipated Future Homes Standard (FHS). As developers and specifiers enter…
It’s official, summer 2025 has been the hottest on record. A recent report from the Met Office shows we have experienced four official heat waves over the period and average temperatures have sat at 1.51°C above the long-term meteorological average. Yet,…
Keeping a build on budget isn’t easy – delays, supply chain issues and labour shortages can quickly eat into profits. We look at why more UK developers are turning to Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) to cut hidden construction costs, keep…
The construction industry is currently a challenging environment to work in. There are pressures to remain profitable despite increasing prices, the government expects significant housebuilding, yet there are never enough skilled workers. On top of all this, there is also…
For any developer or contractor, keeping construction jobs on schedule is no mean feat. There is the need to meet project timelines and keep within budget while also maintaining a high level of quality and safety. Adding to this, under…
The environment is tough for developers. The Labour government has set out bold plans to deliver 1.5 million homes, 14,000 new prison places by 2031, and a targeted overhaul of schools and NHS primary care facilities. Amid ongoing construction industry…