by admin | Nov 5, 2026 | Blogs
The Building Safety Levy came into force from 1st October 2026 across England, bringing new financial responsibilities for property developers. Introduced on 1 October 2026, the levy affects certain residential developments, commercial-to-residential conversions (subject to criteria and exemptions) and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). For property developers, investors and commercial landlords, understanding these changes is essential.
At John Burke Associates, we recognise the importance of keeping clients informed about evolving property legislation and regulations. Here, we outline and explain the new requirements, exemptions and potential impact on development projects.
What Is the Building Safety Levy?
The Building Safety Levy is a government charge on qualifying new residential developments in England. Its purpose is to help fund the remediation of historic building safety defects. These include unsafe and dangerous cladding and other serious fire safety and life safety issues in existing residential buildings. In addition, RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) is another area targeted for remediation. Local Authorities collect the levy at the building control stage for relevant projects, with charges varying according to location and qualifying residential floor space. It is important to note that the levy is separate from existing planning contributions and building control fees.
Which Developments Are Affected by the Building Safety Levy?
The levy primarily applies to residential developments creating 10 or more new dwellings.
It also applies to qualifying purpose-built student accommodation containing 30 or more bedspaces (including new builds and conversions). The levy is a developer paid fee on relevant projects, calculated on a m2 basis, which varies across Local Authorities.
Developments potentially affected include:
- New private residential housing developments (housing and flats).
- Apartment blocks containing 10 or more new homes.
- Commercial buildings converted into residential accommodation
- Mixed-use developments containing qualifying residential units.
- Retirement housing
- Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) meeting the relevant threshold.
The levy generally does not apply to routine commercial refurbishment or development without new residential accommodation. However, developers must consider the wider project when determining whether the threshold applies.
Are There Any Building Safety Levy Exemptions?
Not every residential development is subject to the Building Safety Levy. Certain developments and accommodation types qualify for exemptions, including:
- Small developments with fewer than 10 units (or fewer than 30 PBSA bedspaces).
- NHS hospitals, care homes, children’s homes and domestic abuse shelters
- Schools’ residential accommodation.
- Supported housing.
- Affordable housing units (including social rent, shared ownership and First Homes).
- Hotels and hostels.
- Internal refurbishments that do not increase residential floor space.
- Building Control Applications submitted before 1st October 2026.
Developments creating fewer than 10 dwellings are generally exempt, subject to the wider development rules. However, mixed-tenure developments may still attract charges on qualifying market housing.
Can the Payment of Building Safety Levy Delay Project Completion?
Yes. Unpaid Building Safety Levy charges can prevent the issue of relevant building control completion certificates. This creates potential delays for developers, investors and property owners. Without settlement of the levy payments projects cannot be legally handed over for occupation.
The levy becomes payable when a levy liability notice is issued, with the deadline set at the earlier of the completion-notification date or first occupation. It must be settled prior to the first completion certificate being released for a dwelling in the scheme
Why Are Building Surveys and Development Assessments Important in relation to the Building Safety Levy?
Professional building surveying supports informed decisions throughout any project. Before purchasing or converting a commercial property into residential or part residential properties, investors should understand its condition, suitability and potential for redevelopment.
This includes identifying current and historical physical defects, assessing project risks and reviewing relevant legislative and regulatory considerations. Building Surveys, Defects Analysis, Reports and Technical Due Diligence covering development risks, liabilities and future potential CAPEX and OPEX expenditure also help developers understand the implications of proposed alterations. Contact John Burke Associates to discuss your Building Surveying requirements and how we can support your next property project.
by admin | Jun 23, 2026 | Blogs
Any Healthcare refurbishment presents challenges that do not exist within many other construction environments. Hospitals, clinics and care facilities often remain operational throughout the work. Patients must continue receiving treatment while staff maintain essential services. Contractors must therefore complete work safely, carefully and with minimal disruption. A Clerk of Works provides independent inspection and oversight throughout the refurbishment project.
Protecting Patients, Staff and Visitors
Safety remains the highest priority within every healthcare setting. Refurbishment work can introduce dust, noise, restricted access and other potential hazards. A Clerk of Works verifies that contractors follow approved plans and agreed working procedures. They also monitor the separation between construction areas and occupied spaces. Regular inspections help identify unsafe conditions before they affect patients, staff or visitors. Any concerns can then reach the project team quickly. This independent presence supports a safer and more controlled working environment.
Maintaining High Standards of Workmanship
Healthcare facilities require reliable materials and consistently high standards of workmanship. Poor installation can create safety, maintenance and operational problems. John Burke Associates, Clerk of Works division, checks completed work against the project drawings and specifications and other information. They inspect materials, installation methods and construction quality. Inspections may identify incomplete fire stopping, defective finishes or unsuitable materials. They may also discover potential issues hidden by later construction stages. Finding these problems early allows contractors to complete corrective work promptly. It also reduces costly disruption after the facility reopens.
Reducing Disruption to Healthcare Services
Healthcare services cannot always stop while refurbishment takes place. Careful coordination is essential around treatment areas, access routes and working hours. We monitor how construction activities affect the wider healthcare environment. Our team check temporary arrangements and raises concerns with the project team.
This maintains continuity and reduces the risk of avoidable noise, blocked access and poorly managed work areas. It also supports better communication between the client and contractor. Effective oversight helps clinical teams continue their work with fewer interruptions.
Providing Clear and Independent Reports
We record inspection findings and provide regular reports to the client. These reports create a clear record of progress, defects and corrective actions. Photographs can support each observation and help the project team understand specific concerns. This evidence improves accountability and supports informed decision-making. Therefore, it gives our client an independent assessment of the work taking place on site.
Protecting the Client’s Investment
Healthcare refurbishment represents a significant investment of time, resources and public or private funding. Defective work can increase costs and shorten a building’s useful life. Independent inspection helps ensure that the finished facility meets the required quality standards. It also reduces the likelihood of defects appearing after completion. Employing our team protects quality from the earliest stages through to final handover.
Get in Touch
Contact John Burke Associates to discuss Clerk of Works support for your next healthcare refurbishment project.
by admin | Feb 6, 2026 | Blogs
As of 18 December 2025, the Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent, which brings in some significant changes for employers. The changes brought by the Employment Rights Act 2025 will start to take effect throughout 2026 and 2027, with some changes starting with immediate effect. In this month’s blog post, we examine the changes and their effective dates.
Employment Rights Bill Timeline – What’s changing and when?
Immediate Changes
- Repeal of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023.
- Stronger protections for workers taking part in industrial action, with dismissals linked to strike action becoming automatically unfair.
- Simplified rules around industrial action notices and ballots.
February 2026
- Further trade union reforms come into force:
- Notice periods for industrial action are reduced to 10 days.
- Industrial action mandates can last up to 12 months.
April 2026
A large number of core employment rights take effect:
Parental and paternity rights
- Day-one rights to paternity and ordinary parental leave, allowing notice to be given from the first day of employment.
Statutory Sick Pay
- Sick pay becomes payable from the first day of illness.
- The lower earnings limit is removed, widening eligibility.
Collective redundancy
- The maximum protective award for failure to consult doubles from 90 to 180 days’ pay.
Trade union and enforcement
- Simplified trade union recognition procedures and the introduction of electronic voting.
- Creation of the Fair Work Agency to enforce employment rights.
Later in 2026
October 2026 and onwards
- Time limits for bringing most employment tribunal claims increase from 3 months to 6 months.
- Further reforms, including enhanced pregnancy and maternity protections and new bereavement rights, are expected through secondary legislation.
2027
January 2027
- Unfair dismissal qualifying period reduces from 2 years to 6 months’ service.
Later in 2027
- Additional statutory rights, such as guaranteed hours for zero-hours workers, bereavement leave, and extended parental rights, are expected to come into force, subject to regulations.
What does this mean for employers?
The Employment Rights Act 2025 brings the most significant changes to UK employment law in decades. This means that employers have a lot of work to do to ensure compliance. From reviewing contracts of employment to updating policies and retraining HR, it is undoubtedly a substantial undertaking. At John Burke Associates, we ensure that our knowledge of relevant legislation is both current and fully integrated within our management operating procedures.
by admin | Dec 5, 2025 | Blogs
What Does The 2025 Budget Mean for Construction?
The recently announced 2025 budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves has caused a mixed reaction throughout the construction industry. The widely anticipated announcement offers both fresh hope and new challenges across the industry. Here at John Burke Associates, in this month’s blog, we consider what the budget means for our clients and ourselves.
Landfill tax stability offers certainty.
Starting with the positives, the U-turn on the landfill tax reform has come as a big relief to many in the industry. The Government confirms it will not proceed with the proposed landfill-tax reform. This means that the convergence of the standard and lower rates is abandoned. Therefore, the standard rate remains £126.15 per tonne, while inert waste stays at £4.05 per tonne. This is a welcome decision, preventing additional disposal costs and supporting predictable project forecasting.
Infrastructure Funding and Regional Development
The government has pledged major investment in infrastructure, with £890 million for the Lower Thames Crossing. This strengthens national transport resilience and supports long-term economic growth. With additional regional allocations for projects, such a £20 million for the Peterborough Sports Quarter. This signals a continued support for local regeneration and, in turn, an increased stability in the project pipeline within the construction sector.
Skills Investment and Apprenticeships
The 2025 Budget also introduces funding for training and work placements for 18–21-year-olds. This means there will be more apprenticeship opportunities available, providing a broader entry-level talent pipeline. The commitment to make apprenticeships free for under-25s in SMEs represents a significant change. Recruitment is a long-standing challenge within the construction industry. As such, new skills and more encouragement at the entry level can only be positive.
Wage costs and operational pressures
While the decision to invest more in entry-level employment is undoubtedly a positive one, it is sullied by the decision to increase the minimum wage. The National Living Wage for adults aged 21 and over rises by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour. Rates for 18–20-year-olds increase by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour. We do not dismiss the national cost of living crisis by any means. However, this increase may not be as beneficial to workers as it seems. With the income and national insurance tax thresholds remaining frozen, this wage increase could push many into higher tax brackets. In turn, this creates a higher wage bill for the project and resulting in less disposable income for the workers.
How can we support your project?
The rise in wage costs places new pressure on contractors, developers and public-sector clients. As RICS Chartered Surveyors, Building Surveyors and Clerks of Works, John Burke Associates supports clients by strengthening cost control, programme efficiency and project assurance. Our services help mitigate the financial impact of wage inflation while maintaining quality and compliance. Speak to our friendly team today to find out more about how we can help you.
Get In Touch With Us Today!
by admin | Nov 19, 2025 | Blogs
Judicial Review Reform
The UK government plans to shorten the timeframes for judicial reviews of nationally significant infrastructure and other construction-related projects. The objective is to prevent long legal delays, which have affected energy, transport and large-scale development schemes across the country. Judicial reviews can currently take more than a year to conclude. The government suggests that removing up to six months from that process will help accelerate housing, infrastructure delivery and private investment. Ministers argue that many legal challenges do not succeed, yet still impose long pauses on critical national programmes.
However, any reform of judicial review raises a fundamental question: how do we pursue efficiency without reducing the integrity of public decision-making?
The Opportunity and the Risk
Speed is valuable, particularly for schemes with economic, energy or strategic importance. Prolonged uncertainty can increase programme costs, dilute investor confidence and have downstream effects on communities reliant on infrastructure upgrades. Yet judicial review exists to ensure that decisions are lawful and transparent. It protects environmental interests, affected communities and public outcomes. A compressed legal timetable must not prevent legitimate challenges from being heard with rigour. This is where professional governance and early risk management become essential.
The Role of Robust Professional Oversight
The most resilient projects are those that anticipate scrutiny before it arises. Independent technical due diligence, risk-based project monitoring, and rigorous compliance pathways reduce the likelihood of judicial review and improve the chances of defending against one if it does occur. At John Burke Associates, we see continued pressure for faster delivery but also a heightened expectation that professional teams demonstrate documented accountability, from the planning stage to delivery. The solution is not simply speed. It is intelligent acceleration aligned with governance.
What Comes Next
Judicial Review Reform is expected to shift more emphasis onto front-loaded assurance, as project teams seek to minimise exposure to legal challenge.
For developers, investors and public sector bodies, this means:
- Governance will need to be demonstrable, not assumed
- Early-stage due diligence will hold greater value
- Independent oversight becomes a strategic asset, not an audit exercise
- The line between speed and risk will narrow but not disappear
A Future Built on Preparedness, Not Just Pace
Acceleration is welcome when it unlocks national benefit. But true progress comes from combining speed with certainty. Judicial review reform may reshape the legal framework around major infrastructure, but it will not remove the need for competent, defensible and professionally governed project decision-making. That is where long-term resilience is secured.
