Construction Act Amendments

Amendments to the Construction Act have been included in the Queen's speech, with a Bill which is expected to be introduced on December 4, 2008.

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill aims to improve the operation of construction contracts, improve cash flow through construction supply chains and encourage parties to resolve disputes by adjudication rather than by litigation. The second reading of the Bill will take place in December and it is to be introduced in the House of Lords in the new year.

The NSCC president, Simon Bottomley, speaking on behalf of 7,000 NSCC specialist contractors, said: "All the work over the last 4½ years on getting to this stage of the parliamentary process has finally paid off. We are delighted that we are now in sight of improving a key piece of construction legislation which should improve cash flow through the construction supply chain to the benefit of us all"