Close up of a work desk with a calendar (with a date circled) plus a calculator and scrap paper

Late payments have long been a thorn in the side of UK businesses – and for those in the construction sector, they can be the difference between thriving and closing the doors for good. Now, the government is stepping in with the most ambitious reforms in decades, promising to tackle late payments head-on and give small businesses the fair treatment they deserve.

With new legislation on the horizon, this could be a turning point for an issue that has plagued our industry for years. But what exactly will it involve and will it be enough? Keep reading to find out more.

Electricity pylon set against a sky with clouds tinged by the sunset

Just a few weeks ago, we explored how data centres could act as a bright new dawn for the UK construction sector – offering strong demand, diverse project types and potential for retrofits and technical innovation.

Yet where opportunities arise, so often do unexpected hurdles. Today, data centres remain a major growth driver, but their extraordinary demand for electricity has collided with grid limitations – creating another obstacle that construction projects must overcome. Find out more in this week’s blog.

Image showing three young people working at a table in an office environment

Sheriff Construction’s office team has had the pleasure of welcoming two young people on work experience placements within the last month – one from a local school and another from a further education college.

In both cases, the experience was mutually beneficial – offering the students a real taste of a working office environment, while providing Sheriff with a fresh perspective on its processes. Read our blog to find out more about this win-win situation.

An open laptop with a big padlock image on its screen plus network pathways all in shades of blue to represent cyber security

Cyber security threats are escalating across the UK, with more than 40% of businesses and 30% of charities reporting breaches over the past 12 months. Even household names like Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Harrods were recently forced to suspend online operations to contain cyber-attacks.

This surge highlights that cyber-crime is happening right now and it could affect anyone. For organisations, the consequences can be particularly severe, including financial losses, reputational damage and operational disruption. Take a look at this week’s blog to find out what this means for our industry and what Sheriff Construction is doing to protect your data.

Close up of rooftop solar panels with a worker on the project partially visible

The UK government has recently announced that, under the Future Homes Standard (to be published this Autumn), the majority of new build properties will be required to include rooftop solar panels, unless site-specific factors such as shading make it impractical.

It’s a move designed to help households save on energy bills while cutting carbon emissions and boosting the UK’s energy security. In this week’s blog, we explore what the announcement means in practice, how the industry is reacting, and what housebuilders and developers should expect next.

Image showing a construction worker using a headset, holding up a phone with augmented reality data floating in front of him and a construction building that he's looking towards.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves across all sorts of industries and construction is no exception. While much of the attention has been on AI’s role in design, project management and efficiency, its potential to revolutionise site safety might just be the most exciting development yet.

For years, construction has been one of the most hazardous industries, with risks ranging from falls and equipment-related accidents to structural failures, but could we be at a turning point where AI-driven protocols and analytics help to predict and prevent such dangers? Keep reading to find out more.

Images showing concrete being poured into a crane bucket

The construction industry is responsible for a sizeable portion of global carbon emissions, largely due to the production of cement. But what if the very process of building could help capture carbon instead of releasing it? Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed an innovative 3D concrete printing method that seems to do just that.

By capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) within concrete during the printing process, this new method offers a promising step towards more sustainable construction. How does it work? Read this week’s blog to learn more.

Slightly blurred image showing a construction worker lying on the ground, with a fallen brick on his foot. His hand is raised as if calling for help.

Falling objects pose a significant threat to worker safety on UK construction sites. These incidents can result in serious injuries and even fatalities, making it absolutely for everyone on site to understand what can cause an object to fall and how to implement effective prevention strategies.

For this week’s blog, we’re returning to our ‘Focus on Safety’ series and looking into this critical issue in more detail.

Image showing piles of books set out on a table with a blurred book store background.

Reading is a skill that’s important for everyone and, although it’s often associated with leisure or academic pursuits, it actually plays a surprisingly key role in the construction industry.

Whether you are a seasoned project manager, an architect or a site supervisor, reading can help you stay updated, solve problems and grow in your career. Take a look at this week’s blog to find out more.

Image of a construction site where houses are under development.

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) home builders play a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s housing landscape, delivering homes that cater to diverse needs and local communities.

However, as highlighted in the 2024–25 SME State of Play report, SME builders are facing numerous challenges and barriers to delivery, alongside some emerging opportunities to contribute to the nation’s ambitious housing targets. Read on for a summary of this latest report.

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