Government policy

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This subtopic looks at the policies of UK government departments and public regulatory bodies which will be of interest to construction lawyers and which may influence how businesses

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Latest Construction News

DESNZ announces closure of HNES Round 10

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that applications for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 10 closed on 19 September 2025, with details of Round 11 expected to be published shortly. The HNES is a £77m grant support programme running from 2023–24 to 2027–28, which provides funding to public, private and third sector applicants in England and Wales to improve the performance of existing district heating or communal heating projects operating sub-optimally.

BSR publishes building control application data showing Gateway 2 progress

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published its quarterly update for October 2025 on Gateway 2 building control approval applications, detailing national and regional progress in new build and remediation cases. As of 1 October, BSR is managing a total of 152 new build applications, comprising 33,670 housing units, and 253 remediation applications covering 22,304 units. The newly-established Innovation Unit (IU), responsible for 27 of the new build applications; it  is meeting service level agreements (SLAs) and outperforming milestone targets. A further 91 applications under the previous model are being actively resolved, with most expected to conclude by December 2025. London-specific data shows slower progress, but targeted operational efforts are underway to meet year-end goals. Blockers such as technical expertise shortages and delayed applicant responses are being addressed through bespoke plans and resource deployment. A ministerial decision is pending on the safe return of 27 transitional higher-risk buildings to the previous regime.

IChemE publishes AI guidance for its standard forms

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has published guidance on the application and management of artificial intelligence applicable to all eight of its standard contract forms including the Red Book, Yellow and Blue Books. The guidance warns of the serious risks associated with the unchecked use of AI-generated information, which could lead to safety hazards, performance failures, breaches of confidentiality and potential legal liabilities. It highlights the importance of independently verifying AI outputs, especially in critical areas such as health, safety, environmental compliance and legal obligations.

Defects, damages, and the Defective Premises Act (Mallas v Persimmon Homes)

Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) awarded damages to the claimant, in respect of defects in a residential property. The court was required to consider the measure and quantification of damages for defective building works in contract and under the Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA 1972), and the scope of the ‘fit for habitation’ standard required by DPA 1972.

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