CPA Weekly Notes – 25th April 2025

Issue No. 1147, 25th April 2025 FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Association Activities

CPA Webinar: Green Paper on on construction products reform with Building Safety Minister Alex Norris MP
The video of this event is now available to watch here. Please share the link amongst colleagues if they were unable to watch the webinar live. 

CPA Webinar:  U.S. Tariff Disruption, Uncertainty and the CPA Construction Forecasts (11am, 30 April)
U.S. tariff disruption has increased uncertainty and made market forecasting even more difficult than during Covid-19 Pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis. This webinar – hosted by the CPA Economics Director, Professor Noble Francis – focuses on the potential impacts for the U.K. economy and construction sector. This members only webinar will be from 11.00 – 12.00 on Wednesday, 30 April via Zoom, and will include time for Q&A.  Click here to register.
CPA Spring Lunch 2025 – 1 May 
Bookings have now closed for the CPA Spring Lunch. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you!

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

• RIBA Future Trends Survey (March 2025)
• British Property Federation Build-to-Rent (2025 Q1)

 The CPA’s Spring Forecasts will be published on Monday, 28 April. Also note that the ONS has suspended its monthly UK building materials price data (and other producer price data) due to concerns about its reliability, which the CPA has been highlighting since the impacts of the energy and price spikes in Spring 2022.

CPA Briefing Paper:  The Impacts of U.S. Tariffs
Following strong demand from members and government alike, the CPA’s economics team has published a briefing paper on the ‘Impacts of U.S. Tariffs’.  This document will be revised as the situation develops, and made available to CPA members every Friday with our Weekly UK Economic and Construction Update.  To receive this document via email every Friday please contact noble.francis@constructionproducts.org.uk ; alternatively, you can click here to read it now.

Weekly Calendar of Meetings

• The entire CPA team looks forward to welcoming members and guests to our 25^th Anniversary AGM and Spring Lunch.
• Peter Caplehorn, CPA Chief Executive, will meet with directors at the MHCLG, OPSS and Building Safety Regulator to discuss product issues; will present to EDA Member Wholesalers and Affiliate Manufacturers explaining the implications of the construction products reform; and will attend the weekly meeting of the Construction Leadership Council’s Task Force.
• Professor Noble Francis, CPA Economics Director, will host a webinar to present the Spring Forecasts; and join a regular meeting of the NHBC HMR (Housing Market Report) Expert Panel, a group of senior representatives from the house-building industry and academia that helps guide the NHBC Foundation’s research on housing issues.
• Mark Wilkinson, Senior Technical Manager, will attend a meeting of MHCLG’s Joint Group Non Standardised Construction Products; and attend a meeting of BSI’s CB/301 Offsite & Modern Methods of Construction.
• Hanna Clarke, Digital and Policy Manager, will have a variety of meetings with industry colleagues and civil servants around competence.

Parliamentary and Government Update

Government Survey re Tariff Impact
The CPA has been contacted by the Department for Business and Trade to share this request (below). Please cascade this for response from your organisation or members. Note that the link for providing feedback is directly to the Government:
 
On 2 April President Trump announced universal 10% tariffs on top of existing US duties, fees and taxes on all imports from all trading countries, including the UK. This will come into effect (on 5 April).  The new 10% tariffs announced on 2 April will not apply to US imports of steel, aluminium and automotive products, which are already subject to additional S232 tariffs of 25%.
As the Business Secretary and PM said on 3 April, it is of course disappointing that the US has decided to impose global tariffs and we know this will be extremely concerning for businesses and consumers across the UK.  A link to the Statement made by the Secretary of State is here.
 
Request For Input
To enable the UK to have every option open to us in the future, the Department has launched a Request for Input.  We want to hear from business and stakeholders about your concerns and your assessment of the impact of any further steps we take and want UK businesses to help shape our response to US tariffs.  Further information on the Request for Input and an indicative list of potential products in scope of any future UK tariff response can be found here.  You can also find the press release on the Request for Input here.
 
The Request for Input will run for four weeks until 1 May 2025. Once the Request for Input closes, the Government will reflect on the feedback and consider how best to respond. 
The Government will continue to engage with the US Administration on the details of these tariffs, to understand how they will be implemented.  The UK will continue discussions with the US on an economic deal that strengthens our existing fair and balanced trading relationship.

Industry News

Govt Opens Consultation on Improving Integrity of Voluntary Carbon Markets
Government seeks to clarify and test their proposed policy and governance framework for helping to ensure the integrity of voluntary carbon and nature markets.  Find the consultation here, deadline is 10 July 2025.  For further details contact Jane Thornback.

BRE rebrands the Home Quality Mark to BREEAM Residential
BRE has streamlined its offerings and the Home Quality Mark (HMQ) is now rebranded and BRE has released it as residential sustainability assessment, BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential V6.1.  Find details here.  For further details contact Jane Thornback.

Govt Opens Consultation on the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
This is a technical consultation to get feedback on the drafting of the primary legislation of the UK CBAM.  The purpose of a CBAM is to place a carbon price on specified goods imported to the UK from sectors that are at risk of carbon leakage.  The aim being to protect UK manufacturing.  Find details here.  For further details contact Jane Thornback.

BSI Built Environment Summit 2025 – 30 April 2025 | 09:30 – 17:00 BST
The BSI is hosting an interactive online event that brings together professionals, innovators, and thought leaders to address the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly evolving built environment sector.
This is a cross divisional event with experts from all parts of the BSI business as well as external speakers, and will be hosted on line.  The agenda highlights include:

• Insights from industry leaders: Learn about advancements in BIM, AI, and sustainability.
• Interactive sessions: Engage directly with speakers through Q&A and panel discussions.
• Networking opportunities: Connect with peers and explore virtual exhibitions.

To learn more or book your virtual seat, click here.

5 ways AI is transforming construction parts manufacturing | Peak AI
Manufacturing has entered a new era where data-driven decision making is no longer optional but essential. Every business must now have its own AI to compete. AI is the accelerator; it has the ability to turn vast amounts of operational data into meaningful, actionable insights – providing efficiencies like never before across every team within a business. Forward-thinking leaders in the construction space aren’t just adopting AI – they’re using it to revolutionise their approach to longstanding industry challenges. Here’s how Peak’s cutting-edge AI solutions are solving the most significant problems across inventory and pricing:
1. Optimising inventory while protecting margins
AI identifies optimal stock levels that reduce carrying costs while maintaining service levels – simultaneously pinpointing price points that protect margins while remaining competitive in fluctuating markets.
2. Navigating supply chain volatility
Predictive AI anticipates both supply disruptions and future pricing trends, adapting in real-time as market conditions change. This dual capability helps manufacturers stay ahead of challenges rather than reacting to them.
3. Breaking down data silos
By creating a single source of truth across operations, AI eliminates warehouse constraints and resource limitations. This integration enables better space utilisation, improved decision-making efficiency, and optimized resource allocation throughout your operation.
4. Adapting to changing demands
AI analyses evolving manufacturing schedules and purchasing patterns, allowing you to adjust both inventory and pricing strategies to meet emerging production needs and customer preferences.
5. Managing material scarcity
Intelligent systems monitor supply chain vulnerabilities and automatically adjust both ordering patterns and pricing to account for raw material challenges — maintaining production continuity and protecting margins during shortages.
Ready to explore how AI can transform your manufacturing operation? To learn how businesses like Heidelberg Materials, Speedy Hire and Marshalls are winning with AI, visit Peak.ai or connect with us at the Spring Lunch, Table16

Siderise listed in Building’s Good Employer Guide 2025
We are thrilled to be one of 45 companies listed in Building’s Good Employer Guide 2025 credited with exemplary employment practices. 
The Good Employer Guide serves as a benchmark for employment best practice across the construction, housing and architecture sectors. It is judged on wellbeing initiatives, staff training, company benefits, gender and ethnic diversity representation and even hybrid working arrangements. It aims to raise the bar across the construction sector— encouraging companies to acknowledge and prioritise employee well-being, growth and inclusivity— and celebrate the companies who are already taking steps to promote these aspects. 

Speaking on the accolade, Chief HR Officer, Mark Hendy explained: 

“Building a global team of passionate fire safety advocates is central to our mission to “Go Beyond, helping to contribute to safer buildings.” It’s important that every colleague is engaged with the importance of the work they’re doing, coming to work with the right skills, knowledge and mindset, and ensuring that we act with integrity in all we do.” 

Over the past few years we have invested considerably in defining and developing our culture and benefits to ensure every employee feels well supported. In addition to launching a defined set of five core values which are very much embedded into our DNA, we also have implemented several site and safety upgrades and new employee benefits. This includes measures such as private healthcare for all staff, enhanced parental leave, and structured learning strategies across the business.”

CPA in the News

Batten supply challenges and PIR insulation price increases reported
Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association, co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group, stated: “At present, the materials supply chain is functioning well and product availability is generally good, although several regions reported challenges with aircrete and insulation blocks and certain timber products, including CLS, carcassing and battens.
Total Contractor | 24/04/2025 | Online

UK steel market: importers to brace themselves
There is good news for overseas long steel producers too. The Construction Products Association (CPA) expects construction volumes to grow by 2.1% this year and 4% in 2026. The driver will be the private housing sector. Here, volumes will increase by 6% in 2025 and 8% in 2026. This will be ensured by the inflow of private investment. They will increase by 3% in 2025 and by 4% in 2026.
GMK | 11/04/2025 | Online

Labour MP calls for ‘fiercely vigilant’ approach to foreign investment in UK infrastructure
Rebecca Larkin, head of research at the Construction Products Association, told Construction News the steel plant crisis “highlights the quandary of funding large capital investments, particularly infrastructure”. “Private finance, whether it is from a domestic company or a foreign state, will primarily be seeking a financial return and low risk,” she added. “Direct funding on the government books is aiming to drive long-term economic growth and employment.”
Construction News | 16/04/2025 | Online

Thames Water claims cost of sewage works repairs has risen 10-fold since 2021
The Construction Products Association estimates that infrastructure construction costs have risen by 22.3 per cent from the start of 2021 to the end of 2024, due to double-digit increases in both skilled labour and building material prices.
FT | 17 April 2025 | Online (via subscription)