Interserve delivers the NHS Nightingale hospital in Birmingham
CLC wants emergency government help to ‘save construction’
CM 01/04
As a director of a micro-business I cannot get any government help, so pushing for this is very welcome.
I work as a freelance chartered construction manager so can’t currently work. I am forced to use my savings while we self-isolate and do not qualify for any grants or other help as I am not self-employed but work through my company.
IR35 changes are delayed by a year now, so one minute we were going to be treated as self-employed but now we aren’t. We don’t get any other help either.
Any government help specifically for the industry will be good, especially as it seems the banks are doing exactly what they did in 2008, which is holding on to our taxpayers’ cash and not lending it to the companies that need it.
Harry Escott
I am myself a site manager. Unfortunately, I was laid off NOT because there was no work. I managed to get a three-month contract. I was laid off because the majority of our subcontractors lived up north and could not find any digs, since all the hotels were closed. Let’s hope everything gets back to normal.
P Bonnel
Interserve completes Birmingham Nightingale hospital
CM 09/04
I do hope the Queen recognises the outstanding service the building trade and this company, in particular, delivered to the nation during this crisis, I am amazed at what has been done. Thank you. Some achievement.
R Wilson
Many congratulations to all the people involved in this critical facility for the Midlands. It truly shows what the workforce are capable of in the UK.
Mel Prichard
The Chinese were feted for their speed in constructing new hospitals in Wuhan but I think the efforts in the UK demonstrate a degree of lateral thinking and excellent project management.
The buildings will revert to their former purpose whenever this pandemic is resolved and I’m sure the materials will be recycled. Well done all.
Martin Blake
Good to see the construction industry getting recognition for delivery, especially as earlier focus seemed to be on the armed forces delivering (though credit to them too, of course). I hope lessons will be learned in terms of working together effectively and engendering trust. Well done all.
Brian Wood
Coronavirus ‘costing construction £237m a day
CM 06/04
As a domestic building contractor we are facing a very unsure time ahead of us with an order book that has fallen off a cliff. Our clients have postponed – if not cancelled – projects with a value of £1.5m.
With the works largely facilitated by subcontractors, this crisis has a huge reach for the ‘everyday’ person that works in the sector.
The government grants to other, less affected, sectors have left me as a business owner feeling a little deflated.
I feel the industry as a whole needs some real support that falls in line with real needs for large and small companies alike. I hope we can all stay healthy to allow us to continue once the crisis is over.
Tom Parsons
How many lives is that financial loss saving each day?
Raymond Lee
HSE will shut down sites not following coronavirus guidance
CM 06/04
Very interesting when the HSE have said their inspectors are staying at home to keep themselves safe.
I can’t see how they will do this. When you actually need them to do something to keep workers safe, they run and hide.
The government has said construction is essential to keep the economy going. The HSE should show some backbone and get out on the sites alongside the guys on the front line, making sure they are working and operating safely.
Steve
Ah well, nothing will happen there then.
Pete Tomlinson
