Opinion

Rearo managing director Graham Mercer explores the current skills gap in Scottish construction and the need for a co-ordinated approach to developing homegrown skills. As labour-intensive sectors, UK construction and manufacturing depend more than most on the constant and reliable replenishment

Peterhead-based surveyor Steven Dale reflects on the noted increase in battery storage at properties with solar panels. Sometimes there are straws in the wind which can make you reassess the way the future of a particular technology or trend is likely to shape up. I have come across some of them rec

Accredited employment law specialist Laura Salmond suggests that the Flexible Working Bill will likely see more employees become aware of the right to make flexible working requests, and that the volume of these requests will increase. On 29 July 2023, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working

It is a common misconception that Home Reports are not required if you sell your home without the help of an estate agent or solicitor. Peterhead-based surveyor Steven Dale warns this is not the case. Whether Covid is to blame, or whether we are all just becoming resigned to doing everything online,

Conduit Finance managing director Jamie Davidson looks at how Scotland can learn from the German capital's rent cap alternative to instead accelerate social housing. Translated it means rent cover. It's relevant in the context of the Scottish rent freeze & cap. There was an interesting announcem

Clare Paterson writes about the initiatives and efforts undertaken by the Scottish Government and the construction industry to reform the process of construction procurement, discussing recent workshops focused on streamlining procurement, increasing collaboration, and improving outcomes. On average

Peel Ports Clydeport director James McSporran considers the opportunities the energy transition presents to both the construction and logistics sectors in Scotland, and how the two sectors can work more closely together to reap the benefits and to accelerate their own decarbonisation goals. The

Knight Frank Scotland property management associate Lyndsay Clark believes that properties that create social spaces and encourage a sense of community can be a starting point to encourage people back to the office. It is no secret that some employers have struggled to get staff back into the office

Turner & Townsend's Laurice Peverett reveals why a digital-first approach to building performance in construction can help address societal outcomes within Scotland. Net-zero ambitions along with post-pandemic working patterns are prompting owners of commercial real estate across Scotland t

Julie Scott-Gilroy, legal director in the contentious construction team at Morton Fraser, rounds up her three-part series which takes a closer look at inflation and other challenges currently facing construction companies with a look at safeguarding against insolvency. Companies operating

BDP architect and principal Christoph Ackermann explains why our workplace environments must adapt quicker, following a shift in post-pandemic working patterns. With more people embracing hybrid and remote workstyles, footfall has reduced in our cities, towns and offices. But research continues to p

This is the second part of our three-part series which takes a closer look at inflation and other challenges currently facing construction companies, as well as what the industry can do, from a legal point of view, to be best prepared. The series is compiled by Julie Scott-Gilroy, legal director in

Duncan Smith, River Clyde Homes' energy & sustainbility manager, looks at the economic argument for decarbonising our buildings. Over the coming decade, we have to decarbonise heat and make our buildings as efficient as possible to meet our climate change objectives and have any chance of s

Employment law specialist Catriona Aldridge suggests how employers in Scotland’s construction industry could best tackle the issue of ethnicity pay gap reporting. The UK Government’s publication of voluntary guidance for employers on ethnicity pay reporting is a welcome step forward. App

SCN is delighted to introduce a three-part series taking place over the next month that will take a closer look at inflation and other challenges currently facing construction companies as well as what the industry can do to be best prepared. The series is compiled by Julie Scott-Gilroy, legal direc