Wembley M&E firm Phoenix Electrical has appealed to the sector's national pay regulator over the high wages paid by TB Worrall, which has taken over parts of Phoenix's work.

It is understood that Phoenix has contacted the Joint Industry Board, which sets basic pay rates for the M&E sector, to protest. Worrall is said to be paying workers almost £200 a day, leaving Phoenix liable for huge financial penalties.

The rate is also threatening to push up M&E labour rates across the capital. Workers on the King's Cross project in north London are among those understood to be considering forming an organised trade union group to push for higher wages.

Meanwhile, it is understood that main contractor Multiplex and steel subcontractor Hollandia have completed an initial report into the collapse of a 50-tonne steel beam in March.

It is understood that the report has raised concerns that Hollandia may have been working slightly outside its agreed "method statement", that is, its outline working procedures. This could leave it open to compensation claims from Multiplex, which was forced to evacuate the site and send workers home on full pay.

Multiplex has appointed two subcontractors to its White City project in west London, after two of the original firms went into administration before beginning work.

Prater has taken the roofing contract originally awarded to Coverite, after buying out most of Coverite's contracts. Permasteelisa has been awarded the cladding contract after Schmidlin went into administration earlier this year.