CPA Weekly Notes – 19th December 2025

Issue No. 1182, 19th December 2025 FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Association Activities

Best Wishes from the CPA
On behalf of the entire team at the CPA, we thank you for your support and look forward to working with you in the new year. Our best wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2026.
This is the last weekly notes of the year, the next will be published Friday 9th January.

Economics Update

Construction Trade Survey 2025 Q3

The latest Construction Trade Survey has been released and can be accessed here.
Signs of weakness outweighed the signs of growth in the third quarter of 2025, confirming the early anecdotal evidence that hopes of a recovery over Summer had been dashed. On balance, sales declined in annual terms for heavy side product manufacturers and workloads fell for chartered surveyors and civil engineering contractors. For the latter, this ended a period of growth that had been sustained for five years and marked the first fall since the pandemic paused work.

The next weekly update will be on Friday, 9 January 2026.
The Autumn Forecasts were published on Monday 27th October and can be found here.

Government Update

Warm Homes plan and Future Home Standards delayed
The UK Government has confirmed that its Warm Homes plan to improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of thousands of low-income households will not be published until January. The Warm Homes Plan was first announced last winter by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. The intention was for the full plan to be set out in late 2025, with many commentators hoping that it would accompany November’s Budget announcement. The Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (DESNZ) has now confirmed that it expects to publish the Plan in January. It stated that the overall budget will remain the same, as will the grant level available under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Regarding the Future Homes Standard The CPA’s understanding is that it will not be published before the warm homes plan; however, this has not been publicly confirmed by the government. The CPA will keep you updated as information becomes available.

Extended Producer Responsibility on packaging (pEPR)
PACKUK has issued illustrative disposal fees for Year 2 (2026-27) for Extended Producer Responsibility on packaging (pEPR). The EPR scheme seeks to make those who put packaging on the market responsible for its entire lifecycle, ensuring that product design incorporates considerations for disposal and recycling. Find details here.

EU Construction Products Regulation Work Plan
The EU has published its work plan for 2026-2029 for the Construction Products Regulation. Find it here.

The Single Construction Regulator Prospectus
The Single Construction Regulator (SCR) Prospectus has now been published by the HSE. This marks a significant milestone in reform of the built environment, following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations. The prospectus sets out our vision for a coherent, accountable regulatory system that prioritises safety, quality, and trust across buildings, products, and professions. It outlines how a new regulator will consolidate oversight functions, reduce fragmentation, and drive cultural change across the sector. You can read the full prospectus here. The CPA technical committee will lead our response to this publication.

Government Consultations re London Housebuilding Relief
The Government is seeking views on two proposals to support housebuilding in London. These are:

temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
changes to the Mayor of London’s planning powers

Part 1: temporary relief from the CIL
Part 1 of the consultation is about a proposal to give eligible developments in Greater London temporary relief from the CIL. It covers:

the rationale for emergency CIL relief in London
the developments that will qualify for relief
how that relief will be accessed and administered
the next steps the government proposes to take to implement the relief

Part 2: changes to the Mayor of London’s planning powers
Part 2 of the consultation is about a proposal to make permanent changes to the Mayor of London’s existing planning powers to strengthen oversight of planning applications of potential strategic importance. It covers:

a new application of potential strategic importance category, which will be subject to a streamlined process, for development of 50 or more homes where Boroughs are minded to refuse
bringing applications involving development of over 1,000 square metres within Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land within scope of his call-in power

Further information:

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 22 January 2026
Respond online
Email: londonhousingconsultation@communities.gov.uk

BSR Seek New Chair for Building Advisory Committee
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is seeking an independent Chair for its Building Advisory Committee (BAC). They would like your help in advertising the role and ask if you can share among your members and networks. The successful candidate will demonstrate proven leadership to drive the BAC, which advises BSR on building functions, focusing on:

emerging issues
industry trends
engagement to inspire change

The BAC operates via a high-level steering group and dedicated subgroups. This is an ongoing fixed-term appointment for up to three years. Applications close midday on Monday 5 January 2026. Applications can be made here.

Industry News

The Built Environment Competence Hub
The Hub, developed by BSI in collaboration with Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), is almost ready to launch and is open for people to register ahead of the official start date in the new year. Launching in January 2026, the hub is a central space for professionals to access the latest competence frameworks, standards and practical guidance—all in one trusted location.
The Hub is designed for all those working in the built environment sector, including designers, contractors, regulators and anyone involved in competence development or oversight. It brings together the work of all the ICSG Sector Led Groups and provides curated tools, resources and insights from ICSG, BSI and wider stakeholders of competence. You can register at the Hub here.

CPA in the News

Builders aren’t building – and that’s a major worry for the economy
To find out what is happening I turned to Professor Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, and Rebecca Larkin, its head of construction research. How bleak a midwinter is this for construction?
Sunday Times | 20/12/2025 | Print

New research reveals the hidden costs of the Building Safety Act – as architects demand greater product transparency
“This will enable them to build for what’s next – with a focus on innovation without compromising on safety.” The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), initiated by the Construction Products Association (CPA), sets clear standards for how manufacturers record, verify, and communicate product data. The consensus is that its framework could ultimately become the long-sought single source of truth for compliant product information.
Architects Data File | 4/12/2025 | Online

What does the latest data show?
Overall, 43% of responding NFRC Members reported an increase in workload compared to the same period last year, up from 36% when we asked in spring. This contrasts with much of the construction sector, where activity has slowed amid planning delays and flat economic growth. According to the Construction Products Association’s (CPA) latest Construction Industry Forecasts, total construction output is expected to grow by just 1.1% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026, down from earlier projections, as private housing and commercial offices slow.
Total Contractor | 28/11/2025 | Online

How Reeves’ autumn budget dealt a brutal blow to Labour’s 1.5 million new homes pledge
Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, said the autumn budget forecasts show the government is likely to miss its 1.5 million home target “significantly. The OBR’s latest economic forecasts alongside the budget say that net additional new homes in 2023-24 and 2024-25 were lower than expected, but they will be much higher than expected this year (2025/26), which is strange,” said Francis.
Big Issue | 27/11/2025 | Online