CPA Weekly Notes – 14th November 2025

Issue No. 1177, 14th November 2025 FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Association Activities

CPA Autumn Lunch 2025 heralded as “Great Success”
The sold out event at the Brewery in the City of London yesterday was heralded a great success by CPA Deputy CEO Jeff May. The event brought together 500 people from Industry to hear speeches from CPA Chairman Adam Turk, CPA Deputy CEO Jeff May and world record sprinter Colin Jackson CBE. The event also supported CRASH by raising over £6000 to help homelessness charities and hospices with vital construction projects. More pictures of the event will be available next week.

CPA Autumn Budget Letter to Chancellor and Call for New Build Housing Sector Support
With the Autumn Budget scheduled for 26 November, the CPA wrote to the Chancellor recommending a number of key actions that the government could take to support our sector and the wider UK construction industry. These include infrastructure delivery and procurement; investment, taxation and productivity measures; funding for the relevant regulators and enforcement bodies in the sector; and support for Repair, Maintenance and Improvement.
Critically, following publication this week of our Autumn Forecasts and feedback from our members, we have followed that letter with a press release publicly urging government to support the new build private housing sector. This would take the form of a time-limited stimulus for house building demand – particularly for first-time buyers – that we believe is necessary to avoid the likelihood of worsening job losses, skills shortages and manufacturing capacity unless this government acts to stimulate growth in this essential sector.
We are pushing all these messages through our various channels. Furthermore, we want you to know that since the spring when we first saw evidence of a waning recovery, we have taken every opportunity with ministers, MP’s and civil servants to flag the ‘headwinds’ facing our industry; e.g., rising NMW and Employer NI contributions, high energy prices, tariffs and taxes (such as EPR, Landfill Tax and the Boiler Tax), continued costs from Brexit such as CE/CA, UK REACH and non-tariff barriers, and of course the general economic malaise that has dragged on consumer and investor sentiment.
We will continue to press home these points before and after the Budget and would appreciate your feedback and any supporting arguments / evidence.

Declaration of Performance

The CPA have published with the OPSS – ‘Understanding your Declaration of Performance obligations for the GB market’. The Declaration of Performance (DoP) is a central requirement under the Construction Products Regulation 2011 (GB). It provides a standardised way for manufacturers and other economic operators to communicate how a construction product performs against its essential characteristics. By doing so, the DoP supports transparency, comparability, and compliance, helping architects, builders, designers, and regulators make informed decisions about which products are suitable for use. The guide explains the obligations that apply to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorised representatives when drawing up and providing a DoP. It sets out when a DoP must be created, what information it must contain, and how it should be supplied. While it does not replace the legislation itself, the guide is intended to make the requirements of the CPR 2011 (GB) clearer and more accessible, enabling businesses to meet their legal duties with confidence and consistency. the document can be found here.

CPA Weekly Calendar of Meetings

Jeff May, CPA Deputy Chief Executive, will meet with Transport for London about issues relevant to suppliers; will present to members of the British Plastics Federation; will co-chair a monthly meeting of the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group; and attend the weekly CLC meeting.
Professor Noble Francis, CPA Economics Director, will interview with FIX Radio.
Jane Thornback, CPA Sustainability Policy Advisor, will attend a meeting of the CLC’s Green Construction Board Resources, Waste and Circular Economy Group.
Hanna Clarke, Digital and Policy Manager, will have a variety of meetings with industry colleagues and civil servants around both competence and digitalisation of product information.

Economics Update

CPA Weekly UK Economic and Construction Update
The latest weekly update is available here including:

ONS Construction Output (September 2025)
ONS UK Construction Employment (2025 Q3)
ONS UK Construction Wage Inflation (September 2025)
ONS Construction New Orders (2025 Q3)
Persimmon Q3 Trading Update (November 2025)
Taylor Wimpey Trading Statement (November 2025)

The CPA’s Autumn forecasts were published on Monday, 27 October, and are available from the CPA Website, whilst its Winter forecasts will be published on Monday 26th January 2026.

State of Trade Survey
The 2025 Q3 survey is now available to read here.

Capacity constraints in construction: rethinking the business environment
The CPA contributed significantly to a new economic report by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) exploring the construction industry’s capacity to deliver on key targets and meet demand for new homes and infrastructure in the UK. The report can be found here.

Government Update

MHCLG have published further information regarding launching the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026 to 2036.
The Government have confirmed a number of programme details that providers have told them will be key to effective delivery. The whole document can be found here. It includes:

An updated approach to enable more estate regeneration
Flexibility on grant rates to enable delivery of homes that are more expensive to build; and a new portfolio approach to bidding that will support smaller providers to deliver a greater range and diversity of housing .
The Government will also make available £2.5bn of low-interest loans to support the delivery of new social and affordable housing. These will be open to private registered providers, and a substantial allocation of the loans will be targeted at London in light of the acute challenges facing PRPs in the capital.
The Government have allocated £5.5m in new funding through the Council Housebuilding Support Fund to help councils develop bids to the SAHP.
In the coming months, the Government will provide Registered Providers (both private registered providers and councils) with the remaining information they need to finalise their business and future supply plans – including how they will implement rent convergence at Autumn Budget; and their response to recent consultations on a modernised Decent Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
Bidding opens in February
The new 2026 to 2036 Social and Affordable Homes Programme is intended to combine the best elements of previous programmes with new design elements to maximise delivery and meet the 1.5m homes target, and ensure it enables providers to build the types of homes the country needs.
The core objective of this new programme will be to maximise supply – particularly of Social Rent homes, with a target to deliver at least 60 percent of the homes under the programme as Social Rent, with the remainder available for other tenures including Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent (and Intermediate Rent in London).
The Social and Affordable Homes Programme will be delivered through 2 delivery partners:
Homes England: responsible for delivery outside London
Greater London Authority: leads delivery within London, under powers of the Localism Act 2011
Bidding can happen through 2 routes (agency-specific bidding guidance can be found in the prospectuses):
Strategic Partnerships (SP) can offer long-term, multi-year funding agreements with some larger providers to support scale, innovation, and delivery of a pipeline of affordable homes, with enhanced reporting and alignment to national priorities.
Continuous Market Engagement (CME) is a rolling, flexible route for providers to bid for funding on a scheme-by-scheme basis, assessed on value for money, deliverability, and local need – ideal for smaller or one-off developments. Following engagement with the sector, we have also implemented a new CME ‘portfolio’ approach, which contains some features of Strategic Partnership working by enabling smaller portfolios of schemes through the CME route.

The Ministry of Defence has published the Defence Housing Strategy.
The whole document can be found here. Key recommendations:

New military housing standards for renewing and acquiring Defence homes.
10-year renewal, with around 40,000 military homes modernised or upgraded.
Modern property standards comparable to high-quality civilian landlords.
Thousands of military homes to receive a complete makeover – new kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems.
Work on 1,000 worst-quality homes underway immediately.
End of ‘Fix on Fail’ maintenance.
Right homes in the right places: right-sized, suitable homes for all ranks, with widened access reflecting modern family life.
Annual reports on meeting commitments to families and decent homes standards.
New homeownership opportunities for forces families and veterans.

Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and Consultation
Government has published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper that sets out its ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher-level training by age 25, whether through universities, colleges, or apprenticeships. The key focus includes:

A skills and employment system shaped by employer needs, with sector-specific skills packages, short courses and foundation apprenticeships funded through the Growth and Skills Levy and designed to support people to get into and get on at work. This includes expanding Technical Excellence Colleges with an additional 14 across digital, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, building on the 10 launched in construction. Employers will be incentivised to invest in training through levy flexibility, co-financing opportunities and clearer pathways into work, including for young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.
A further education system offering high-quality study pathways at all levels and a simplified qualifications landscape. This will include introducing V Levels as the new vocational route alongside A levels and T Levels and the development of two clear pathways at level 2 for those in the 16-19 age bracket, to support progression into work or further study.

Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation
In addition to the White Paper, the Department for Education is seeking feedback on the planned design and implementation of the new pathways for 16-19-year-olds in their consultation: Post-16 level 3 and below pathways – GOV.UK. This specifically covers:

A third, vocational pathway at level 3 creating V Level qualifications. V Levels will sit alongside A levels and T Levels and will offer a vocational alternative to these academic and technical routes.
Two new pathways at level 2 simplifying the current offer and providing a clear line of sight to further study at level 3 and skilled employment through the Further Study pathway and Occupational pathway. The consultation closes on 12 January 2026.

Government Increases Discount for Energy Intensive Manufacturers
CPA is pleased to announce that government plans to increase the discount on electricity network charges for businesses in sectors including CPA members like steel, cement, glass, and chemicals from 60 percent to 90 percent. Around 500 of the UK’s most energy-intensive businesses are set to save on their electricity bills from next April. The increased discount under the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) Scheme will bring down electricity bills for businesses by cutting the prices they pay to access the UK’s electricity network. Some of these businesses currently pay the highest industrial electricity prices in the G7, making it harder to stay competitive on the international stage. To learn more, click here.

Government Sends Out EPR Bills
These first-year invoices, based on 2024 packaging data submitted by producers, will cover recycling and disposal costs for the assessment year April 2025 to March 2026.
Guidance has been published here to help producers prepare and government have also launched a Customer Service Desk to support with questions: eprcustomerservice@defra.gov.uk
The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm during October 2025 and closed on weekends and bank holidays. Normal opening hours for the helpdesk post October 25 are 8am to 4.30pm.

Review published setting new course for mainstreaming property flood resilience
The CPA have contributed to the FloodReady Review and Action Plan that provides recommendations and practical steps to improve the take up of property flood resilience (PFR) measures. The Review, led by Professor Peter Bonfield, brought together leaders from across various sectors who all have an important role in improving the PFR uptake.
Property flood resilience measures – such as flood doors, non-return valves and air bricks – can help to keep as much water out of a property as possible. They also include measures like tiled floors and raised electrics, so if water does enter, it minimises damage and helps people get back on their feet quicker. The use of Sustainable Drainage Systems at property level, for example permeable paving and rain gardens, can also reduce the risk of surface water flooding.

Government consultation on water efficiency requirements in building regulations
Government is proposing a plan to strengthen Water Efficiency Standards in the Building Regulations 2010, Part G, to require tighter standards in new homes. It also seeks more information on enabling water reuse systems in new developments to enable even greater water efficiency in homes. The deadline is 16 December. Find the documents here Water Efficiency Standards: a review of Building Regulations 2010 Part G2 – GOV.UK

Industry News

Construction Mental Health Consultation – Deadline Extended to 21 November
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has undertaken a consultation on its mental health project that sets out mental health as one of its priority focus areas with the aim to create an environment that fosters better mental health for the people that work in the UK construction industry. The consultation which has received around 2000 responses to date, has been extended to 21^st November, invites stakeholders across the industry for their views on what can be done to eliminate or reduce the root causes of the poor mental health across UK construction.
The importance of this work is illustrated by the fact the suicide rate in UK construction is four times the national average, which is unacceptable. Change is needed as is your input. Click here to learn more and respond.

News from the Autumn Lunch Sponsors

Siderise launches passive fire protection range for ventilated brick slip cladding systems
Siderise has launched a new passive fire protection package that focuses specifically on the cavity fire barrier requirements of adhesive and mechanically fixed ventilated brick slip cladding systems.
Ventilated brick slip cladding applications have surged in popularity in recent years, bringing the robust and timeless aesthetic of masonry to buildings where traditional bricklaying approaches would be too costly, time consuming or simply unachievable. However, these systems can differ widely in design, currently making a standardised approach to compartmentation a challenge. To solve this, Siderise has created a unique cavity fire barrier system solution and technical services package centred on achieving satisfactory levels of passive fire safety for ventilated brick slip façade systems, helping to support regulatory compliance and reliable long-term performance.
This offering includes Siderise RH Rainscreen Horizontal Open State and Siderise RV Rainscreen Vertical Full Fill Cavity Barriers, which have been developed and tested specifically for rainscreen cladding configurations, such as those used with ventilated brick slip façades. Siderise technical services can then collaborate with the brick slip façade manufacturer and project team to ensure compatibility with any chosen system, providing everything from technical details to bespoke fire testing at its UKAS-accredited Innovation Centre in South Wales.
The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated recently via a collaboration with Ash & Lacy for their NaturAL X Brick Cladding System. To confirm compatibility with the NaturAL X System, and to demonstrate compliance with the requirements for the 10 and 29 storey VITA student accommodation development on Gough Street in Birmingham, Siderise undertook a programme of project-specific testing to several relevant standards using a representative build up. This system achieved an impressive E 120 and I 60 fire resistance rating, which achieved the exacting specification demands – and exceeded competitor product performance.
Additionally, the Lamella core of Siderise cavity barriers carries unique benefits during the construction stage as the full fill vertical barriers can be installed under increased compression. This means that there is no need to install intermittent intumescent strips that run vertically between each rail. Not only does this reduce material costs but it also speeds up installation—enhancing the efficiency benefits of brick slip systems.

CPA in the News

Construction employment sinks to 24-year low
Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, said the slowdown in house building since April and the rise in employers’ National Insurance Contributions had hit confidence and hiring. He warned: “The longer employment remains at these historically low levels, the greater the permanent loss of skills and experience. Even getting back to 2019’s house building levels will be incredibly difficult, never mind meeting the government’s targets.”
Construction Enquirer | 27/10/2025 | Online

Slow Growth, Clear Opportunities
The economic outlook for UK construction may be subdued, but there are reasons for cautious optimism – that was the key takeaway from Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association (CPA), speaking at the Council for Aluminium in Building’s (CAB) 31st Annual General Meeting, held at Stratford’s Crowne Plaza on 23rd October.
Glass News | 11/11/2025 | Online

House of Commons – Business and Trade Questions
Gareth Davies, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade said: “The Construction Products Association has just cut its growth forecast for the sector to barely 1% next year, warning that the uncertainty over new taxes is choking investment. I will ask the Minister again: how on earth will adding #28,000 to the cost of a new home, or 25% to road construction costs, through a new builders tax do anything other than cement the slowdown that Labour is overseeing in our economy? To stand up and raise uncertainty, and then complain about it, is quite something”.
BBC Parliament | 3/11/2025 | Online

Little progress for construction product manufacturers
Third quarter sales data from Construction Products Association members shows that the previously anticipated market recovery is proving sluggish. The Construction Products Association’s latest state of trade survey shows that volumes improved in the third quarter, compared to Q2, but heavy products are still down on 2024.
Construction Index | 27/10/2025 | Online
Also in BMJ, Construction Index, Roofing Today

Pre-budget uncertainty impacts forecasts for UK construction output
The Construction Products Association’s (CPA) Autumn Forecasts reveal that growth expectations for UK construction output have been revised ‘substantially down’ amid growing risks and uncertainty surrounding potential tax rises in the upcoming budget.
Project Scotland | 27/10/2025 | Online
Also in BMN, Roofing Today, AggNet, BMJ, Construction Index, Construction Enquirer, CN, Specification Online, pbcToday, Building, ConstructUK

CPA Urges Chancellor to Support Housing Sector Ahead of Autumn Budget
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has written to the Chancellor on behalf of the UK’s manufacturers and suppliers of construction …
Roofing Today | 29/10/2025 | Online
Also in Builders Merchants Journal | Construction Enquirer