Daily briefing
National Construction News briefing: Thursday 15 October 2026
15 stories from the last 24 hours, two events and deadlines today, one date for the week ahead, new figures from our data trackers and five closing dates from our recent stories.
Stories from the last 24 hours
Procast Group takes national insulation and fabric installer title at Energy Efficiency Awards
The Hamilton-based retrofit contractor said the national title at the 9 October ceremony in Birmingham followed a regional win in the same category in June and a year of awards and new work.
RSH gives Kirklees and Kingston C3 grades over gaps in home condition data
The Regulator of Social Housing found both councils lacked up-to-date condition information for most of their homes, with Kirklees still carrying about 2,500 fire safety remedial actions.
Russell Roof Tiles supplies 1,400 Bute3 tiles for DIY SOS build in Freckleton
The Burton on Trent manufacturer stepped in free of charge after the roofing contractor's original supplier fell through, in what the contractor was told was the first installation of the new tile.
Lucent Lighting's Obscura65 downlight takes Build Back Better Green Award
The adjustable downlight, made from 89% recycled material and designed for repair rather than replacement, was one of three products recognised in the 2026 lighting category, with the ceremony at Circular Lighting Live in London.
BESA, IOR and CEFEP back TICA campaign on external heat pump pipe insulation
The Proof is on the Roof campaign, launched in 2025 to end the use of non-UV resistant flexible foam insulation on external services, is now backed by three industry bodies.
NG Bailey wins CSA commissioning award for Bradford endoscopy project
The engineering services firm's Bradford Endoscopy project, delivered inside a fully operational hospital, has been named Commissioning Engineering Project of the Year at the 2026 CSA Awards.
Contractor working group publishes good practice guide for plant attachments
A working group of Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors has released a free good practice guide covering excavator, forklift and crane attachments, the Construction Plant-hire Association has announced.
Connected Places Catapult appoints nima to support industry engagement on 'digital whole life' data
The information management body will convene experts and develop resources under the government-backed Digital Construction International Programme, ahead of a revision of ISO 19650 that the Catapult says is due next year.
Bargate Homes consults on detailed plans for 141 homes at Hordle Lane
The VIVID-owned housebuilder is seeking views on a reserved matters application for the housing element of its 12.21ha Strategic Site 8 allocation in the New Forest, which won outline consent for up to 155 homes.
NOCN Group Foundation opens second round of skills grants worth up to £15,000
NOCN Group has opened applications for its Foundation's Skills Innovation Grant programme, with a webinar on 3 November for prospective bidders and a 15 December deadline for pilot projects.
Willmott Dixon starts £14.9m refurbishment of Huddersfield's Grade II* market hall
Kirklees Council has appointed the contractor to restore the 1887 Open Market under a Levelling Up funded scheme, with traders moved to a temporary structure and completion scheduled for spring 2028.
Network Rail to renew 11 switches and crossings at Doncaster Marshgate over Christmas
Engineers will replace 11 switches and crossings units at Marshgate Junction and more than 640 metres of track through Doncaster station from 24 December, closing the station on Christmas Eve.
Prosper UK commission calls for regulation freeze and capped shared equity scheme
The Gavin Barwell-chaired commission says half the £76,000 rise in build costs since 2020 stems from regulation, policy and tax, and urges a package tackling viability, demand and supply together.
GRAHAM and Queen's University deliver school gardens under Belfast social value commitments
Two South Belfast primary schools have new community gardens funded by Queen's University Belfast and delivered by GRAHAM under community benefit commitments tied to Weavers' Hall and iREACH Health.
BDA updates rotary coring course in third online training announcement in just over a week
The British Drilling Association has added learning-check questions and a completion certificate to its Rotary Coring for Drillers course, its third course announcement on the training portal since 5 October.
Today
Highways UK
Final day.
RIBA Stirling Prize
Takes place today at Old Billingsgate.
This week
RICS UK Awards
Takes place on Thursday 22 October.
New figures
Construction tenders closing: 16 to 29 October 2026
- Open tenders closing
- 131
- Estimated value
- £507.5 million
- Buyers
- 110
Closing soon
The consultation closes on Friday 16 October 2026.
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Limited's ITT for the Provision of Repairs Services Tender, valued at £32,197,500 including VAT, also closes on 16 October at 12:00.
Largest construction works tenders closing 5 to 18 October 2026
That consultation runs until 21 October.
Public-sector buyers have 121 construction works tenders closing on Find a Tender between 9 and 22 October 2026, with the 105 single contracts that carry an estimate valued at £431.0 million in total, according to Cabinet Office open data.
About this briefing
Published on weekday mornings. Every item comes from a story National Construction News has already published and checked against its sources, from dates organisers have published, or from our data trackers. See the events and awards calendar, or get the week's stories by email with the weekly newsletter.