Covid-19

The contraction in Scotland's construction sector could be as high as 40-50% if the government-imposed coronavirus restrictions remain in place for three months, the University of Strathclyde's Fraser of Allander Institute has estimated.

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has supported a plea to the UK Government to instruct construction clients to release £4.5 billion currently being withheld from contractors in the form or retention payments.

Savills Planning has welcomed the provisions being put in place by the Scottish Government to “keep the wheels of the country’s planning system in motion” during the current hiatus caused by COVID-19. 

The Scottish Parliament’s economy, energy and fair work committee has issued a call for views from Scottish businesses and workers on the current COVID-19 crisis.

CALA Homes (West) has donated vital personal protective equipment (PPE) from its construction sites to help NHS staff on the frontline of coronavirus in Glasgow.

The Scottish Government has made clear that work on construction sites should stop immediately unless it is supporting crucial work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland (FSB Scotland) has called for the Scottish Government to establish a new emergency grant and loan scheme for smaller businesses and the self-employed. In a letter to ministers, FSB Scotland has called for new help for operators who are either excluded from

A total of 20,000 free meals will be delivered to the most vulnerable people across Kilmarnock and East Ayrshire as part of the Lift Up Your Hearts community fund created by Scottish businesswoman Marie Macklin CBE. Ms Macklin has pledged an emergency cash fund of £100,000 to assist the c

“Extreme pressure” is being placed on the Scottish construction industry due to the lack of detail for the UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, a building company has warned.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has revealed today it will relax some regulations for the duration of the COVID19 crisis but warned that businesses will meet an “uncompromising” regulator if they try to flout the temporary environmental standards. In a strategic stateme

Lockdown measures implemented as a result of the coronavirus outbreak will delay the Scottish Government’s target of building 50,000 new affordable homes, housing minister Kevin Stewart has confirmed. The delivery of 50,000 affordable homes by the end of the current parliament was a key govern

RTPI Scotland has welcomed emergency legislation that will ensure planning permissions due to lapse during the six-month ‘emergency period’ will be extended for a further year. The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act, introduced by Michael Russell MSP on 31 March 2020, was passed by the Scottish

Thorntons commercial property partners Janet McIntyre and Gary Thomas summarise emergency legislation introduced in Scotland to prevent the eviction of commercial tenants who are unable to pay their rent because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Irritancy is a remedy for landlords to terminate a lease early

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has said it could issue prohibition notices to employers who are not complying with the current social distancing guidance.

Employers should prepare for a likely surge in mental health problems during the current lockdown, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).