Daily briefing
National Construction News briefing: Friday 23 October 2026
15 stories from the last 24 hours, one event or deadline today, one date for the week ahead and five closing dates from our recent stories.
Stories from the last 24 hours
CIBSE publishes TM59 (2026) but 2017 edition still rules for Part O compliance
The institution's revised overheating methodology adds a sleeping-hours bedroom criterion, 2050s weather files and an unconstrained test, while it is in discussion with the Building Safety Regulator about updating the Approved Documents.
Six North Wales housing associations' shared placement scheme reaches eight-week mark
Adra has reported on the first eight weeks of its Introduction to Housing programme, which it says is the first to run across six North Wales housing associations with Welsh, UK and NDA funding.
Devon and London tilers certified as Master Tile Fixers by The Tile Association
Martyn Moore of Moore Ceramics and Samuel Paul of PL Tilers have passed The Tile Association's certification for experienced independent fixers, which requires an online test and two customer references.
Network Rail to renew six sets of points at Forest Gate in 10-day Christmas closure
Network Rail will renew six sets of points at Forest Gate on the Great Eastern Main Line in a 10-day Christmas programme, with Greater Anglia and Elizabeth line services affected from 27 December, alongside five days of track renewal at Barking.
GRAHAM and Equitix alliance shortlisted for ICW award after 15 years of student housing work
Viridis Living, the GRAHAM and Equitix alliance behind the University of Manchester's Fallowfield redevelopment, has been shortlisted in the Institute for Collaborative Working Awards 2026 after a 15-year run of student housing schemes.
Tower Hamlets to convert four Marsh Wall offices into 180 temporary homes for families
Tower Hamlets Council's cabinet has approved buying four office buildings at 191 to 197 Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, to convert into about 180 two- and three-bedroom homes for homeless families.
CICES hands out first equity, diversity and inclusion awards at Bristol dinner
Ordnance Survey's Simon Navin and People Plus Cymru's Hannah Jenkins took the inaugural Trailblazer and Voice awards, judged by the institution's EDI Council and sponsored by Topcon Positioning Systems.
FMB says £876m of Scottish home improvement work on hold ahead of Budget VAT call
The Federation of Master Builders is pressing the Chancellor to simplify and extend VAT relief on home improvements before the 28 October Budget, citing research with the HomeOwners Alliance on delayed work.
Core Five completes cost consultancy on YASA fit-out at Bicester Motion
The independent cost consultancy says it advised electric motor maker YASA from RIBA Stage 2 to completion on the fit-out of its Oxfordshire headquarters, which finished in August 2026.
First ETCS-fitted Class 197e trains enter service on Cambrian Coast Line
Transport for Wales has put three CAF-built Class 197e units into passenger service between Machynlleth and Pwllheli, the last part of its network to receive the new fleet because of the route's in-cab signalling.
Lords committee presses government to commit to new towns as NFB warns on pipeline uncertainty
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has set out five areas, from materials capacity to utilities and training, that it says need attention before the government's new towns programme can be delivered.
BSR opens Part K review as government consults on EV charging rules
The Building Safety Regulator has launched a 10-week call for evidence on falls, collision and impact rules, while two consultations propose changes to Part S and clearer routes for tenants to request charge point permission.
NFB joins member D A Cook at heritage careers fair in Worcester Cathedral
The National Federation of Builders' strategy and technical manager joined member firm D A Cook (Builders), a bronze sponsor, at the West Midlands Heritage careers fair on 21 October.
FIS names Helen Gawor as chief executive and elects new board
The finishes and interiors trade body has appointed Helen Gawor as chief executive from January 2027, as members elected six directors and Justin Devaney took up a two-year term as president.
Gleeson Homes to require Smas Worksafe certification from all site contractors
The affordable housebuilder has chosen Smas Worksafe as its contractor certification scheme, with principal contractors and groundworkers required to hold the broader Worksafe Plus assessment from 18 December.
Today
NHBC Pride in the Job Awards
Takes place today.
This week
Digital Construction Awards
Entries close on Friday 30 October.
Closing soon
TrustMark's own consultation on its Scheme Provider model closes on 27 October 2026.
Applications close on 28 October and the programme starts in July 2027, according to a notice published by Marine Energy Wales.
Largest construction works tenders closing 16 to 29 October 2026
It is an open procedure with a tender deadline of 30 October 2026 at 12:00.
NOCN Group has opened a new round of its Foundation's Skills Innovation Grant programme, offering grants of £500 to £15,000 for pilot training projects, with applications closing on 15 December and a webinar for applicants on 3 November.
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.