CITB has set a £11.5m employer networks budget for 2026-27, restricting access to micro, small and medium-sized firms (fewer than 249 staff) while creating a separate large employer fund. From April, these smaller employers can book training through networks at 50% match funding, subject to new annual caps of £1,500 for micro (up to nine staff), £2,000 for small (10–49) and £4,500 for medium (50–249). Large employers will instead access a £18,000-per-year large employer fund for any in-scope training, tied to an agreed training plan.

The Financial Reporting Council has launched an investigation into two former Vistry accountants over a £165m costing error on nine housing development sites in the south of England in 2023–24. The misstatement is linked to forecasting and financial reporting in Vistry’s South division and is speculated to involve failure to account properly for construction cost inflation within its partnership model, where sale prices are fixed before build. The probe targets only the two unnamed individuals, with Vistry stating they have left the company and that it will cooperate fully.

An independent panel has allowed five objecting water companies to recover only 17% of the additional revenue they sought from customers following challenges to Ofwat’s 2025–30 price control. The ruling materially constrains bill-funded capital programmes for network renewal, treatment works upgrades and resilience schemes, potentially forcing rephasing or downsizing of major pipeline, storage and wastewater projects. Contractors and consultants can expect tighter cost scrutiny, value engineering pressure and possible deferral of non-regulatory enhancement works across the AMP8 period.