# Grinding Gears | Episode 95

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-disrupted-6586696/grinding-gears-episode-95
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-disrupted-6586696/grinding-gears-episode-95.md
Podcast: [Construction Disrupted](https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-disrupted-6586696)
Published: 2025-12-10T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f84958b0-1b31-41d9-a195-2ae7f129acb5.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/construction-disrupted-6586696/episodes/grinding-gears-episode-95
Duration seconds: 1601

## Resource

Construction Disrupted Episode 95 - Grinding Gears (10.12.25) The UK construction industry is at a crossroads, facing challenges that range from economic recovery to skills shortages and infrastructure costs. But with the right strategies and investments, there’s hope for a brighter, more sustainable future. This episode highlights this perfectly. UK Construction Grinds Back into Gear The UK construction industry is showing signs of life after a challenging year, with a modest 3% increase in project starts from August to November 2025. While this is a step in the right direction, the sector still has a long way to go to recover from a 4% dip compared to 2024 levels. Standout performers - offices, industrial projects, and social housing - are leading the charge in this recovery. Regional disparities are clear, from London’s 77% surge in project starts to the West Midlands’ 13% decline. Is the government’s recent budget enough to keep the momentum going, or are we just patching up potholes on the road to recovery? UK Lacks the Skills to Hit Net Zero, MPs Warn A committee of MPs has issued a stark warning: the UK is falling short of the skills needed to meet its ambitious net zero targets. With a shortfall of 250,000 workers required for new housing and retrofit projects, the government is being urged to step up its game. Committee’s recommendations included the call for a nationally recognised, industry-backed construction and retrofit skills program. We’ll also explore how this skills gap could impact the UK’s clean energy goals and the potential for creating high-quality jobs in every community. London Could Halve Cost of New Transport Projects London’s transport infrastructure is notoriously expensive, but a new report suggests that adopting European planning and fina…

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## Transcript

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