CPA Weekly Notes – 8th May 2026

Issue No. 1200, 8th May 2026 FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Association Activities

CPA Releases Construction Industry Forecasts – Spring 2026

Conflict in the Middle East and its potential impacts on the global economy, the UK economy and the construction industry cast a dark shadow over the forecasts for 2026 and 2027. It appears increasingly likely that the second half of this year will see a drop in demand and sharp cost rises. How long the global disruption and high oil and energy prices last remains uncertain at the time of writing, and the CPA has had to make assumptions about the extent and duration of the supply shock. However, based on the CPA’s assumptions, construction output is now forecast to fall significantly in 2026, with growth in 2027 also adversely affected. The largest of the conflict impacts are likely to be felt on both the demand and supply side for private housing and private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i), the two largest construction sectors. The CPA press release can be read here and the forecast in full can be accessed here.

CPA Webinar 
We would like to invite you and your respective members to join the CPA webinar for our Construction Industry Forecasts – Spring 2026. The webinar will cover the UK economy this year, the latest construction data, the new construction forecasts for the key sectors as well as highlighting key risks.
The webinar will be hosted by CPA Economics Director Professor Noble Francis and you can register here.

CPA Spring Lunch Pictures Now Available 
The CPA Spring Lunch was held at the Hilton on Park Lane and was a great success.  Thank you to all attendees and our sponsor Kilsaran for helping to make the day a great success. The pictures from the event are now available here.

Weekly CPA Meeting Calendar 

• Peter Caplehorn, CPA Chief Executive, will meet with MHCLG officials on products critical to safe construction, attend the Manufacturers’ Information Collaboration meeting, participate in CLC Building Safety, Standards and Digital Innovation workstreams with DBT and wider industry representatives, and join the Spring Forecast webinar and TA Council briefing on the CCC Well-Adapted UK report pre-launch.
• Noble Francis, CPA Economics Director will deliver a presentation to BESA affiliates, participate in the CPA Forecasts Webinar, and attend the UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction Industry Advisory Board meeting with academic and industry representatives.
• Rob Lee, CPA Senior External Affairs Manager, will be attending events with Danny Kruger MP and MHCLG Secretary of State, Steve Read OBE MP.

Economics Update

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

• CPA View on Middle East Conflict and Potential Effects (7 May 2026)
• S&P Global UK Construction PMI (April 2026)
• DBT UK Brick Deliveries (March 2026)
• Bank of England UK Mortgage Approvals (March 2026)
• Nationwide UK House Price Index (April 2026)

The CPA’s Spring Forecasts were published on Tuesday 5th May and can be found here.
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.

Government Update

CPA 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. 
 
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

Siderise CEO Adam Turk appointed Chair of the Construction Products Association for Third Consecutive Year 

At the Construction Products Association (CPA)’s Spring Lunch on 23rd April, it was announced that Adam Turk, CEO of Siderise, will continue in his role as Chair of the CPA for a third consecutive year. 
Adam Turk commented on his reappointment: “As the umbrella organisation for the construction products sector, the CPA is highly respected for its contribution. It is an honour for me to have been asked to stay as Chair for another year, as the industry faces the triple challenge of a difficult UK market and uncertainty caused by global factors whilst being asked to undertake a significant reform agenda under the Construction Products Regulation and General Safety Requirements proposals. I will be doing all I can to ensure a smooth transition through the various obstacles in front of us.” 
Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive of the CPA, added: “We are extremely grateful for Adam’s continuing support of our Association and the work we undertake to support this sector.  His vast industry experience and considerable energy and enthusiasm are priceless as the challenges facing us seem to grow in complexity and severity.” 

CPA in the News

Construction activity expected to fall 2.5% in 2026 amid Iran war impact
The Iran war has led to a sharp revision in expectations for how the sector will perform this year, with overall output now forecast to fall by 2.5 per cent. In its spring forecast, the Construction Products Association (CPA) said.
Construction News | 05/05/2026 | online
Also in Tilezine, Roofing Today, Agg Net, TTJ, Master Builder, Building Design

Middle East conflict has helped increase prices by over 5% CLC’s materials group warns
Peter Caplehorn, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, co-chairs of the CLC’s materials group, admitted: “The impact of cost inflation on building materials has already been substantial.” It added: “Builders’ merchants reported that standard January price increases have added 2.2% to the cost of goods, and the annualised impact of Middle East- related increases to date has added a further 2.9%, taking the total increase to around 5.1%.”
Building | 29/04/2026 | online

Siderise CEO Adam Turk reappointed as Chair of Construction Products Association
Adam Turk of Siderise to lead trade body for third year. Adam Turk, the CEO of Siderise, will remain as Chair of the Construction Products Association (CPA) for a third consecutive year to assist the sector during a period of intense regulatory transition. The CPA confirmed the reappointment during its Spring Lunch on 23rd April.
IFSJ | 29/04/2026 | online
Also in Installer, 

Tax Hikes Inhibit Growth Prospects, Materials Body Warns
Construction Products Association’s 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