# The Great British Build-Up | Episode 109

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-disrupted-6586696/the-great-british-build-up-episode-109
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-disrupted-6586696/the-great-british-build-up-episode-109.md
Podcast: [Construction Disrupted](https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-disrupted-6586696)
Published: 2026-04-01T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/bf36f480-71f3-42d4-8e64-1c393f83f088.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/construction-disrupted-6586696/episodes/the-great-british-build-up-episode-109
Duration seconds: 2169

## Resource

Construction Disrupted Episode 109 - The Great British Build-Up (01.04.26) In this episode we cover groundbreaking policy changes, ambitious housing plans and strategies to improve project delivery, exploring how these initiatives aim to transform the industry and impact communities across the country. Let’s get going! Construction retentions to be banned The UK government has announced the abolition of retention payments in construction contracts to protect smaller firms from financial risks like insolvency and late payments. Retention payments, often up to 5% of a contract’s value, have long been criticized for restricting cash flow and exposing subcontractors to risks. This reform, supported by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), is expected to create fairer contract terms and reduce instability in the industry. However, concerns remain about potential challenges, such as firms delaying payments to circumvent the ban. To address this, measures like adjudication processes and court enforcement will be introduced. The ban is part of a broader effort to tackle late payment practices, which cost the UK economy £11 billion annually. Other measures include a maximum 60-day payment term for large firms paying smaller suppliers and enhanced powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate and penalize poor payment practices. New Towns plan part of radical action to meet housebuilding target The UK government plans to establish seven new towns across England to address the housing crisis and drive economic growth. The initiative emphasizes affordable housing, public transport, and infrastructure to create thriving communities. Locations like Tempsford, strategically positioned to connect key cities, are seen as promising examples. The Royal Institute of Briti…

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## Transcript

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