Building Weekly Digest - 31 May 2024

There has been plenty of big stories coming out of the Building team this week. From episode four of our Home Truths podcast with the Labour candidate for Barking, Darren Rodwell and a review of the 2024 BCO conference in Birmingham by our very own Olivia B. , to the latest column from chair of Gleeds Richard Steer FRICS, Hon FRIBA, FCIOB, FAPM there's been something for everyone. Explore all this and more below.

Home Truths: In conversation with Darren Rodwell

In episode four of our Building Talks: Home Truths podcast, Labour candidate for Barking and leader of the council for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Darren Rodwell, talks about his background, how this shaped his politics, his thoughts on housing delivery and construction risks and what he expects from Labour on a housing front now that the election date has been announced.

Election focus 2024: policy tracker

As we await the parties’ manifestos now that the 4 July election has been called, we have continued to compile a list of where the Conservatives and Labour currently stand on six key construction policy areas.?We will continue to update and expand the policy tracker as more details emerge.

The 2024 BCO conference in Birmingham: Key takeaways from this year’s event

Recently, reporter Olivia Barber went to the 2024 British Council for Offices conference in Birmingham. The major topics discussed by the delegates included creating vibrancy in cities, the industry's relief surrounding Sunak's decision to hold the election on 4 July, the impact of tech on workplaces and net zero targets for buildings. Find out more here.

Who will speak up for the builders?

The case of Co-Op Live is an example of poor PR coverage when major developments fail, according to chair of Gleeds , Richard Steer FRICS, Hon FRIBA, FCIOB, FAPM . In this piece, Steer examines the issue of publicity for the construction industry, the successes and debacles of projects and the need for a cohesive point of contact to speak for the sector.

A long-term vision for investing in assets begins with engineers and surveyors

Senior director at the property consultancy, TFT , Neil Granger , discusses how technical advisors can create real impact for property investment decisions, the importance of commercial success in the built environment and how technical specialists can maximize time efficiency within the property sector.

Events update

All three case studies from our event held in April: Beyond the surface: An examination of building envelopes through architectural case studies are available to watch for free, on-demand.

In June, we are holding two Housing Today Live webinars-

1. "Achieving Part L compliance in housing with fully electric solutions". Register here
2. "Unlocking housing delivery: What do we need from the English planning system?". Register now

Our Building Awards deadline is one week away, so get your entries in!

Early bird tickets are also now available for our Housing Today Live & Building The Future conference! Click the links to find out more about these industry leading sessions, taking place 18 September at Church House

From the news desk:

It has been a short but busy week here at Building Magazine and our reporters have covered all the biggest stories within the built environment. Explore a selection below:

• Gove to leave housing role after decision to step down as MP
• Sunak pledges to fund 100,000 more apprenticeships by scrapping ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees
• Industry leaders caught off guard by Lendlease’s decision to sell UK construction arm
• Bowmer & Kirkland chair among business leaders backing Labour
• CIOB calls on next government to tackle late payment culture and create green skills fund
• Labour unveils green energy plan for first year in government

Thanks for reading and see you next week!