Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders, has voiced concerns that the ULEZ expansion, which comes into force on 29 August, could not have come at a worse time, with the construction industry already being hit by inflation and the rising cost of living.

He said: "While addressing air quality is imperative, the ULEZ expansion feels like a tax rather than a strategic mission to improve the health of Londoners. Some older vehicles over 3.5 tonnes may be liable for more than £300 a day and others under that weight up to £127.50."

Speaking on Fix Radio, Mayor Sadiq Khan urged people to support the ULEZ expansion to avoid losing days from work due to ill health related to air quality. He also revealed that the van scrappage scheme has been increased to £7,000 – or £9,500 for those choosing an electric vehicle. The retrofit grant now stands at £6,000.

Retrofitting, which is run by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme, will not cover pre-Euro 6 diesel vehicles, pre-Euro 4 vehicles or LPG.

When searching for ULEZ compliant vehicles within 60 miles of the city on Autotrader's website, it was discovered that the cheapest small form EV van was listed at £4,400 with a range of just 60 miles.

Cliveden Conservation, a recognised IHBC CPD provider is to partner with the Stone Federation to deliver a lime training day on 14 September 2023 at Reading Abbey ruins.

This will be an opportunity to learn more about lime mortar and put these skills into practice. The day will cover an introduction to using lime mortar including its chemistry and application followed by lunch. In the afternoon, there will be two hands-on sessions that will cover mixing mortars, techniques for pointing and consolidation and applying mortar to the walls of the Abbey ruins. 

Basic tools and materials will be provided and attendees are welcome to take their own small tools including trowels. The cost of the day is £200 plus VAT.

For more information and to book, email sara@stonefed.org.uk

Slab fabrication software company Slabsmith has launched a new version of its popular software that is now available from its UK distributor Stone Automation. 

The latest iteration of the software, 2023.6, offers enhanced 3D features as part of the Perfect Match layout module, allowing the user to implement complex 3D assemblies. There is the option to create full height walls, fireplace mantels and tackle other projects using a standard digital template. 

Other features of the new software include cost and pricing properties plus a live scan module to assist with inventory reconciliation. 

Lichfield Cathedral, the only Medieval three-spired cathedral in the UK, has joined eleven other institutions including York Minster and Westminster Abbey to become a member of Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship (CWF).

Currently, Lichfield Cathedral is creating a works department and workshop facility within its grounds and this has been made possible thanks to support from the Hamish Ogston Foundation (HOF) and its Craft Training Programme – which has committed £3.5m to the training of craftspeople across the UK. As a result, Lichfield Cathedral will train two stonemasons. 

Frances Cambrook, Executive Director of CWF said: "The Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowships (CWF) is delighted to welcome Lichfield Cathedral as our twelfth member at this exciting time for both our organisations. As we witness a significant nationwide effort in the sustainable conservation of historic buildings and the acquisition and retention of craft skills, Lichfield's inclusion is a testament to the collective dedication to preserving our rich heritage."

DK Holdings, manufacturer and supplier of diamond tools and components has been awarded EcoVadis silver medal status. This award focuses on sustainability and once assessed, DK Holdings was confirmed to be in the top 18% of companies undertaking the survey in 2022/2023.

Speaking about the award, Finance Director, Darren Mills said: "We are extremely proud of our EcoVadis assessment with special mention going to our compliance department who worked tirelessly alongside the board of directors on implementing our environmental, stress and bullying and harassment policies, ensuring we achieve the silver medal status."

Installation of 585 solar panels at the production facility in Kent was just one of the ways the company proved its commitment to reduce environmental impact.

QEST has announced its new Sustainability Award in partnership with Heritage Crafts. The competition is open to any craftsperson working with traditional materials (including stone) or those incorporating traditional skills in their work. Entry requires the entrant to demonstrate they have made a significant commitment to becoming more environmentally sustainable within the last 12 months.

There is a cash prize of £2,000 and the winner will be invited to attend a reception at Vicar's Hall, Windsor Castle on 15 November.

To find out more about the award and to enter, visit Heritage Craft's website.

Hard landscaping and building products leader Marshalls has issued a profit warning ahead of the publication of its interim report on 16 August. At the same time it has announced the closure of its concrete products factory in Carluke, Scotland, and a reduction in shifts and capacity at other sites. The Marshalls commercial team has also been restructured.

The changes are expected to result in 250 job losses. This is on top of 150 jobs cut in the second half of 2022.

These actions are expected to deliver annualised savings of approximately £9million, with around 40% of that being realised in the second half of this year. The Board is executing a programme of surplus land disposals, and has continued to focus on efficient working capital management in order to reduce the Group's net debt.

On a like-for-like basis, the Board says Group revenue is likely to be 13% down in the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2022 (subject to auditor review). Profit is likely to be 27% down at £33million.

In money terms, revenue for the six months ended 30 June 2023 of £354million is 2% higher than in 2022, but includes four months' contribution from Marshalls' purchase of Marley.

The warning has been delivered against the backdrop of challenging market conditions with persistent weakness in new build housing and private housing RMI (repair, maintenance, improvement), which are key end markets for Marshalls.

Sustained high levels of inflation, increasing interest rates and weakening consumer confidence has led the Board to anticipate the Group's performance in the second half will be below its previous expectations.

Marshalls Landscape Products has continued to experience tough market conditions due to its exposure to new build housing and the more discretionary elements of private housing RMI. Revenue for the period was down 20% on last year at £174million. On a like-for-like basis, after adjusting for the disposal of Marshalls NV in April this year, revenues contracted by 18%.

Marshalls Building Products delivered a more resilient performance, supported by demand for bricks, masonry and mortars, offset by weaker volumes in drainage and aggregates, again relating to the lower number of new housing starts. Revenue for the period was £87million, down 9% on 2022. 

Marley Roofing Products saw mixed demand across its product offering. Viridian delivered further growth in integrated solar revenues supported by changes in building regulations, which was offset by a weaker performance in roofing, due, again, to lower volumes of new build housing. Revenue for the period was £93million, down 7% on a like-for-like basis.  

The Board says: "We have balanced the need to reduce our capacity and cost base in the short term while retaining the flexibility to increase production when demand recovers. The Group has latent capacity across all its businesses that can satisfy materially higher demand than that being experienced in 2023."

While previously anticipating a recovery in market conditions in the second half of this year, the Board is now of the view that an improvement in the second half performance is unlikely given the macro-economic backdrop. The Board now believes performance in the second half will be markedly weaker than the first half, and consequently expects to deliver a result for the full year that is lower than its previous expectations.