We are almost one year on from the end of our first lockdown in this country and nearly 16 months on from the UK leaving the EU. Both have been seismic events in the history of our time, but also in the history of our industry. As we come out of our third lockdown and parts of the world start returning to something closer to normal – with shops, restaurants and indoor activities all beginning to recover – so come the stories and reportage of the effects of the past 18 months on our industry.

Only a few weeks ago Building ran a news story outlining the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) call to arms for the industry to “fairly share supplies to avoid smaller firms being hit the most” as it reported on materials and resource shortages that have intensified in recent months. It is a trend that the CLC predicts will only get worse over the next six months as demand continues to rise while supply keeps falling.