UrProject

UK Construction Week in Review. 10 April 2026.

Three things worth knowing before you close out the week.

1. Activity is down hard. Glenigan’s April Index shows on-site starts dropped 17% against Q4 and sit 18% below this time last year. Residential is down 30% year-on-year. Civil engineering fell off a cliff.

The Iran conflict and closed trade routes are adding pressure on top of an already weak domestic pipeline. If you are planning labour and procurement for Q3, now is not the time to be reactive.

2. Retentions are being banned. The government confirmed it will outlaw retention payments in construction contracts.

This is the biggest payment reform in over 25 years. For subcontractors and specialist trades who have been starved of cashflow for decades, it matters. Implementation is still 12 to 24 months away, but the direction is set.

3. Kier has started a £700m highways contract with Norfolk County Council, bringing 100 staff across from the previous contractor. Large frameworks moving is always a signal worth watching.

Tight market. Big regulatory shifts.

The companies that control their operations and their records will be the ones still standing when activity recovers.

Have a good weekend.

UrProject

What makes you go back to a site or a company? For me it was always straightforward: pay on time, clear scope, decent facilities, and someone who actually knows what they are doing running the job. What is top of your list?

Agency myths hold construction back. Direct hiring changes everything.

Think hidden fees and slow onboarding are just 'part of the process'? Think again.

With UrProject, you get instant access to verified trades, transparent rates, and no agency mark-ups.

Ready to see the reality of direct connections? Discover how UrProject is reshaping construction hiring. Book a walkthrough today.

No agency cuts. Just fair, direct work.

Meet real tradespeople finding jobs on their terms. Tired of chasing payments or dealing with middlemen?

UrProject connects you straight to companies. Verified profiles, locked rates, and digital timesheets mean no more hassle.

Ready to work the way you want? Sign up for early access today.

Serious question. If there was a way to keep a digital record of every job you have done — the site, the dates, the rate, who signed you off — would you use it? Or do you think paper and word of mouth still works fine?

Control labour costs. Gain project clarity.

How much time does your team lose chasing agencies or dealing with unclear timesheets? What if you could see real-time workforce stats and verified project data in one place?

With UrProject, you hire direct. No agency fees. No hidden mark-ups. Every worker is verified, every hour logged, every rate locked from day one.

Ready to see how much you could save? Book a walkthrough with us.

Safety, compliance, right to work. Every shift.

Who checks your paperwork before you start? Who keeps records clear, fair and up to date?

With UrProject, verified profiles and compliance checks are built in. No agency middlemen. No confusion. Just one system that protects you and your team.

Ready for a smarter, safer way to work? Learn more at urproject.co.uk

What does it mean to build your legacy?

Every shift, every project, every early start shapes your future. Discipline and skill set you apart from the crowd.

At UrProject, we believe in giving tradespeople the tools to own their journey. No middlemen. No hidden cuts. Just real opportunity.

Ready to take your next step? Join us and build something that lasts.

Fairness isn’t just a slogan. It’s personal.

UrProject started because I saw how much time and trust gets lost to agency middlemen. Construction deserves better.

We’re building a platform where every project and every worker gets a fair shot. No hidden fees. No shortcuts. Just direct connections and verified results.

If you believe construction should work for everyone, join us. Let’s raise the standard together.

We are officially finalists for Construction & Building Services StartUp of the Year in London.

The UK StartUp Awards are judged by experts so this means a lot to the whole UrProject team. |

Now we have our sights set on winning the regional final to earn a spot at in September. co.uk

Building the future of construction hiring.

Here’s a look at our latest UrProject app build. Every module is designed for direct access, no agencies, and real transparency.

Progress isn’t just code. It’s a new way to connect companies and skilled trades, with locked rates and verified records.

Want early access? Get in touch to see what’s next.

Had a conversation with a site manager last week about day rates. His view was that good tradespeople should never have to chase money or argue about what was agreed. The rate should be locked before you start, signed off by both sides, and that is it. Sounds simple. Why does it not work like that most of the time?