CPA Weekly Notes – 17th April 2026

Issue No. 1197, 17th April 2026 FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Association Activities

Our Spring Lunch Sponsor
The CPA is pleased to announce that Kilsaran are a sponsor of the Spring Lunch 2026 and Autumn Lunch 2026. The CPA would like to thank Kilsaran for their continued support of CPA events.

Amanda Long Joins CPA as New Deputy Chief Executive
We are very pleased to share with members the news that Amanda Long has been appointed as the CPA’s new Deputy Chief Executive. Amanda will join the Association on a part-time basis following the retirement of current Deputy Chief Executive, Jeff May later this month. CPA Chief Executive Peter Caplehorn said: “Amanda brings a wealth of experience from across membership organisations, with a strong track record of delivering value for members and driving growth. Her understanding of how to engage and support a range of memberships will be a significant asset to the Association.” Amanda will continue her current part-time role as Chief Executive of CPI Ltd the not-for-profit body driving forward the Code for Construction Product Information, working with manufacturers and wider industry stakeholders to prepare for major regulatory reforms. CPI Ltd’s independent governance will continue to be led by the CPI Ltd Independent Chair and Board, and the CCPI assessment process is enacted by independent assessors. To read more of the appointment in the full press release, click here.

CPA at British Plastics Federation Event
CPA Economics Director Professor Noble Francis will be speaking at Industrialised Construction which is on on the 21st – 22nd April, discussing the performance and productivity of the sector. You can learn more about the event, see the full line up and secure your place here.

Weekly CPA Meeting Calendar

The entire CPA team looks forward to welcoming members and guests to our Spring Lunch.
Peter Caplehorn, CPA Chief Executive, will meet with directors at the MHCLG, OPSS and Building Safety Regulator to discuss product issues; will co-chair a meeting of the CLC’s Material Supply Chain Group; and join a regular meeting of the Construction Leadership Council’s Task Force.
Professor Noble Francis, CPA Economics Director, will present to the Industrialised Construction Conference.
Jane Thornback, CPA Sustainability Policy Advisor, will join a regular meeting of the Green Construction Board’s Circular Economy and Waste Group.
Rob Lee, CPA Senior External Affairs Manager, will join the Enterprise Forum event with the East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward.

Economics Update

CPA Weekly UK Economic and Construction Update
The latest weekly update can be found here it includes:

CPA View on Middle Eastern Conflict and Potential Effects (16 April 2026)
ONS Construction Output (February 2026)
Barbour ABI High-rise and Mid-rise Residential Projects Starts (2026 Q2)
Barratt Redrow Q3 Results (April 2026)

State of Trade Survey for Q1 is now open
The CPA’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 is now open for members to report on the state of trade in your materials or products sub-sector during the January-March period of 2026. The deadline is the end of Friday 17 April and we would encourage you to respond so that we can present a comprehensive view of our industry’s performance as we enter a period of economic uncertainty. The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPASurvey26Q1. All responses are kept strictly confidential and results will be presented on an aggregate basis only.

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. 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.

Government Update

CPA Launches 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,

Architects Registration Board seeks views on environmental sustainability
The Architects Registration Board has issued a public consultation on its draft guidance for architects on environmental sustainability. This is intended to support the profession in meeting the Standards of the Architects Code. Find the papers here. Deadline for comments is 14 May 2026.

Industry News

Electrical Distributors Association to hold Industry Insight Event
The Q2 2026 Talking Shop is taking place on Friday 24 April 2026 from 11.00am – 12.30pm. The virtual event brings together EDA Board Members, Wholesaler Buying Group Heads and Senior Executives from Wholesaler, Manufacturer, and Solution/Service Provider businesses to hear about the latest challenges and opportunities impacting the electrotechnical supply chain. you can register for the event here.
Some business conditions insights will be revealed through the EDA’s Quarterly State of the Sector Survey.
Plus Peter Hill, Accountant and Business Consultant,will be giving valuable, unmissable insights on Growing Sales in a Challenging Market. If you have a specific topic you would like raised, please email the EDA in advance here, and they will try to address it during the session.

Siderise Named in Best Companies to Work For
‘The Good Employer Guide’ celebrates organisations that demonstrate a genuine commitment to their people, culture, and workplace experience. Key initiatives contributing to this recognition include:

A continued focus on employee wellbeing, safety, and inclusion
Clear pathways for professional development and internal progression
Supportive policies and flexible working approaches
A culture centred around collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement

The full story can be found here.

CPA in the News

Tax Hikes Inhibit Growth Prospects, Materials Body Warns
Construction Products Association head of construction research Rebecca Larkin said the tax burden had grown across the products sector and the wider construction industry.“Increases in business rates and NIC as well as the National Living Wage have particularly hit builders’ merchants and materials and product manufacturers – elements of the supply chain that have fixed premises and a directly-employed workforce,” she told Construction News.“Construction firms themselves will have been directly affected by NIC changes, fuel and red diesel changes and the Corporation Tax increase, along with the indirect hit of any passthrough from these other links earlier in the supply chain.
Construction News | 15/04/2026 | online

The Collapse of Starmer’s housebuilding revolution
Housebuilders face a “perfect storm” in the second half of this year as they brace for a double whammy of elevated costs and lower demand, warns Noble Francis, chief economist at the Construction Products Association (CPA).
The Telegraph | 13/04/2026 | online
Also in Yahoo Finance, MSN

CPA Appoints New Deputy Chief Executive
The Construction Products Association has appointed Amanda Long as its new Deputy Chief Executive. Amanda will join the CPA part-time following the retirement of current Deputy Chief Executive, Jeff May.
At a time of significant change for the construction sector, Amanda brings deep knowledge of the regulatory, commercial and policy landscape, including building safety, decarbonisation, sustainability and supply chain challenges. Amanda will continue her current part-time role as Chief Executive of CPI Ltd the not-for-profit body driving forward the Code for Construction Product Information, working with manufacturers and wider industry stakeholders to prepare for major regulatory reforms.
Roofing Today| 08/04/2026 | online
Also in Agg Net, Tilezine

Hit a pothole? Soon you can blame the war
Prof Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, said price increases for asphalt would have a “major impact on councils”, which are responsible for maintaining 99 per cent of Britain’s road surfaces “Council budgets were already set to be very tight for 2026/27, and sharp increases in the costs of maintaining and resurfacing roads are certainly not going to help, especially given the existing concern about the poor quality of roads,” he said.
Telegraph | 07/04/2026 | Print
Also in AOL, Y ahoo News, MSN UK

Is Reform’s Simon Dudley right about building safety?
Peter Caplehorn – chief executive of the Construction Products Association – told me, ‘We are moving to the next phase of building safety reforms by putting the fine detail on the principles in the Building Safety Act. We want to ensure the regulations are well thought through, practical and can immediately be taken up by industry,’ adding ‘right now however the industry is suffering. There are so many factors coming from across the economy that while many companies would like to be fully embracing reform their current priority is survival.’
The Spectator | 02/04/2026 | online