Latham Report - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:26, 6 October 2026

2026-10-06T08:26:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:26, 6 October 2026
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−	= Background ~~Information~~ =	+	= Background information =

	The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an adversarial industry with significant potential for disputes.		The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an adversarial industry with significant potential for disputes.

−	A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ~~‘Building~~ to the ~~Skies’~~ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the ~~Barnwell~~ report in ~~1967~~. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.	+	A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; 'Building to the Skies' in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Banwell report in 1964. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.

−	In 1994 the Latham Report 'Constructing the Team' was published. The report was commissioned by the UK government to investigate the perceived problems with the construction industry, which the ~~report’s~~ author, Sir Michael Latham described as ~~‘ineffective’~~, ~~‘adversarial’~~, ~~‘fragmented’~~ and ~~‘incapable~~ of delivering for its ~~customers’~~.	+	In 1994 the Latham Report 'Constructing the Team' was published. The report was commissioned by the UK government to investigate the perceived problems with the construction industry, which the report's author, Sir Michael Latham described as 'ineffective', 'adversarial', 'fragmented' and 'incapable of delivering for its customers'.

−	[[~~File:Latham_report_front_cover.jpg\|link=~~File:Latham_report_front_cover.jpg]]	+	[[File:Latham_report_front_cover.jpg]]

	= Recommendations =		= Recommendations =
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	* As the largest single procurer of construction, the government should commit itself to becoming a best practice client.		* As the largest single procurer of construction, the government should commit itself to becoming a best practice client.
	* The New Engineering Contract (NEC) should be adopted more widely as a less adversarial form of contract.		* The New Engineering Contract (NEC) should be adopted more widely as a less adversarial form of contract.
−	* There should be legislation to prevent ~~‘set off’~~.	+	* There should be legislation to prevent 'set off'.
	* Partnering should be used to encourage the establishment of long-term contracting arrangements.		* Partnering should be used to encourage the establishment of long-term contracting arrangements.
	* Public sector registers should be established for approved contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.		* Public sector registers should be established for approved contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.
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	* Construction Clients' Group		* Construction Clients' Group

−	These ~~organisation~~ united to become Constructing Excellence in 2003.	+	These organisations united to become Constructing Excellence in 2003.

−	Some of the recommendations of the Latham Report were implemented by the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act (the Construction Act) which amongst other things, set out fair payment practices and regulated ~~‘set off’~~. In addition, the Scheme for Construction Contracts, which applies when construction contracts do not comply with the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act established the right to adjudication.	+	Some of the recommendations of the Latham Report were implemented by the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act (the Construction Act) which amongst other things, set out fair payment practices and regulated 'set off'. In addition, the Scheme for Construction Contracts, which applies when construction contracts do not comply with the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act established the right to adjudication.

	The Report also led to the creation of the Considerate Constructors Scheme intended to help improve the image of the construction industry.		The Report also led to the creation of the Considerate Constructors Scheme intended to help improve the image of the construction industry.

−	~~More recently, there~~ have been significant moves in government procurement to encourage collaborative working and foster partnering, and the government ~~has~~ abandoned GC Works contracts in favour of NEC3.	+	There have since been significant moves in government procurement to encourage collaborative working and foster partnering, and the government abandoned GC Works contracts in favour of the NEC suite of contracts (initially NEC3, since succeeded by NEC4, published in 2017).

	= Subsequent reports =		= Subsequent reports =
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	The Latham report has been followed by a number of subsequent reports, with similar aims:		The Latham report has been followed by a number of subsequent reports, with similar aims:

−	* In 1995, the [[Levene_Efficiency_Scrutiny_into_Construction_Procurement_by_Government\|Levene 'Efficiency Scrutiny' report]] was published.	+	* In 1995, the [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Levene_Efficiency_Scrutiny_into_Construction_Procurement_by_Government Levene 'Efficiency Scrutiny' report] was published.
	* In 1996, the CIB published a second report, 'Partnering in the Team'.		* In 1996, the CIB published a second report, 'Partnering in the Team'.
	* The core message of Constructing the Team was reinforced by the Egan Report in 1998 'Rethinking Construction'.		* The core message of Constructing the Team was reinforced by the Egan Report in 1998 'Rethinking Construction'.
−	* In 2001, the National Audit Office (NAO) published 'Modernising Construction'	+	* In 2001, the National Audit Office (NAO) published 'Modernising Construction'.
	* In 2002 the Strategic Forum for Construction published a report on its first year of activity Accelerating Change.		* In 2002 the Strategic Forum for Construction published a report on its first year of activity Accelerating Change.
	* In 2011 the Government Construction Strategy made a damning assessment of the industry, suggesting amongst many criticisms that:		* In 2011 the Government Construction Strategy made a damning assessment of the industry, suggesting amongst many criticisms that:
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	# the UK does not get full value from public sector construction		# the UK does not get full value from public sector construction
	# there is broad consensus, spread both across the industry and its customers, that construction under-performs		# there is broad consensus, spread both across the industry and its customers, that construction under-performs
−	# (there are) poor and inconsistent procurement ~~practices…~~ leading to waste and inefficiency	+	# (there are) poor and inconsistent procurement practices... leading to waste and inefficiency
	# (there are) low levels of standardisation, and fragmentation of the public sector client base		# (there are) low levels of standardisation, and fragmentation of the public sector client base

	Several of these reports have made similar projections of substantial savings within the industry if their recommendations were adopted. Notably, the Government Construction Strategy states an intention to achieve savings of 15 to 20%.		Several of these reports have made similar projections of substantial savings within the industry if their recommendations were adopted. Notably, the Government Construction Strategy states an intention to achieve savings of 15 to 20%.
		+
		+	The pattern has continued since 2011, with the Government Construction Strategy 2016-2020, the Farmer Review 'Modernise or die' (2016) and the Hackitt review of building regulations and fire safety (2018), followed by the government's Construction Playbook (published in late 2020 and refreshed in September 2022), which sets out policies for the procurement and delivery of public works projects. The Procurement Act 2023, in force since 24 February 2025, now provides the legal framework for public procurement in place of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Latham's concern with fair payment also remains live, with government proposals to ban cash retentions through new sections of Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, in the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill.

	Given that despite all of these reports, the perception of the industry as wasteful and adversarial remains, and that significant savings continue to be projected if the industry reforms, it might be inferred either that; under the circumstances the industry operates more effectively than it appears from the outside; or that expectations are unrealistic; or that recommendations have been consistently poorly implemented. See List of construction industry reports since 1944 for more information.		Given that despite all of these reports, the perception of the industry as wasteful and adversarial remains, and that significant savings continue to be projected if the industry reforms, it might be inferred either that; under the circumstances the industry operates more effectively than it appears from the outside; or that expectations are unrealistic; or that recommendations have been consistently poorly implemented. See List of construction industry reports since 1944 for more information.
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	= Sir Michael Latham =		= Sir Michael Latham =

−	[[~~File:Sir-Michael-Latham.jpg\|link=~~File:Sir-Michael-Latham.jpg]]	+	[[File:Sir-Michael-Latham.jpg]]

	Sir Michael died on 2 November 2017, aged 74.		Sir Michael died on 2 November 2017, aged 74.
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	He was also ConstructionSkills chairman until 2010 and chairman and deputy chairman of Willmott Dixon until 2009.		He was also ConstructionSkills chairman until 2010 and chairman and deputy chairman of Willmott Dixon until 2009.

−	Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA, said; "...Sir ~~Michael’s~~ contribution to the industry is remarkable. And he has undoubtedly left the industry in an enhanced place.”	+	Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA, said; "...Sir Michael's contribution to the industry is remarkable. And he has undoubtedly left the industry in an enhanced place."

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

		+	* Accelerating change: A report by the Strategic Forum for Construction.
	* Adjudication.		* Adjudication.
	* Adversarial behaviour in the UK construction industry.		* Adversarial behaviour in the UK construction industry.
−	* Accelerating change: A report by the Strategic Forum for Construction.
	* Banwell Report.		* Banwell Report.
−	* Centrally procured public projects.
	* Collaborative practices.		* Collaborative practices.
	* Considerate Constructors Scheme.		* Considerate Constructors Scheme.
	* Constructing Excellence.		* Constructing Excellence.
−	* Construction 2025.
	* Construction Industry Board.		* Construction Industry Board.
−	* Construction Task Force.
	* Egan Report.		* Egan Report.
	* Emmerson Report.		* Emmerson Report.
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	* Government Construction Strategy.		* Government Construction Strategy.
	* Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act.		* Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act.
−	* Levene report	+	* Levene report.
	* List of construction industry reports since 1944.		* List of construction industry reports since 1944.
	* New Engineering Contract.		* New Engineering Contract.
−	* Office of Government Commerce.
	* Partnering.		* Partnering.
	* Public procurement.		* Public procurement.
−	* Reinventing construction: a route to higher productivity.
	* Scheme for Construction Contracts.		* Scheme for Construction Contracts.
−	* Sir John Egan.
−	* Sir Michael Latham.
−	* Supply chain management.
−	* Thought leadership.

	[[Category:DCN_Report]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]		[[Category:DCN_Report]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]

Editor at 09:58, 23 January 2025

2025-01-23T09:58:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:58, 23 January 2025
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	Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA, said; "...Sir Michael’s contribution to the industry is remarkable. And he has undoubtedly left the industry in an enhanced place.”		Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA, said; "...Sir Michael’s contribution to the industry is remarkable. And he has undoubtedly left the industry in an enhanced place.”

−	Recalling the impact of the Latham Report, Sir Michael's son Richard said; “Dad got lots of honorary degrees from universities because of his work in construction. My brother and I used to giggle because he could barely rewire a plug at home.”	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
−		+
−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+

	* Adjudication.		* Adjudication.

Designing Buildings: Reverted edits by 212.219.144.254 (talk) to last revision by Editor

2022-04-06T12:10:23Z

Reverted edits by 212.219.144.254 (talk) to last revision by Editor

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:10, 6 April 2022
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	* Local Government Task Force		* Local Government Task Force
	* Rethinking Construction		* Rethinking Construction
		+	* Be
	* Constructing Excellence		* Constructing Excellence
	* Construction Clients' Group		* Construction Clients' Group

212.219.144.254 at 10:30, 6 April 2022

2022-04-06T10:30:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 6 April 2022
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	* Local Government Task Force		* Local Government Task Force
	* Rethinking Construction		* Rethinking Construction
−	* Be
	* Constructing Excellence		* Constructing Excellence
	* Construction Clients' Group		* Construction Clients' Group

Editor: Reverted edits by 105.163.0.117 (talk) to last revision by Editor

2022-01-17T09:04:25Z

Reverted edits by 105.163.0.117 (talk) to last revision by Editor

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:04, 17 January 2022
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	= Background Information =		= Background Information =

−	The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an ~~a][bcgchkgmchmgxmhgdversarial~~ industry with significant potential for disputes.	+	The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an adversarial industry with significant potential for disputes.

	A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ‘Building to the Skies’ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Barnwell report in 1967. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.		A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ‘Building to the Skies’ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Barnwell report in 1967. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.

105.163.0.117 at 08:12, 17 January 2022

2022-01-17T08:12:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:12, 17 January 2022
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	= Background Information =		= Background Information =

−	The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an ~~adversarial~~ industry with significant potential for disputes.	+	The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an a][bcgchkgmchmgxmhgdversarial industry with significant potential for disputes.

	A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ‘Building to the Skies’ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Barnwell report in 1967. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.		A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ‘Building to the Skies’ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Barnwell report in 1967. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.

Editor at 18:03, 13 January 2021

2021-01-13T18:03:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 13 January 2021
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	* Accelerating change: A report by the Strategic Forum for Construction.		* Accelerating change: A report by the Strategic Forum for Construction.
	* Banwell Report.		* Banwell Report.
		+	* Centrally procured public projects.
	* Collaborative practices.		* Collaborative practices.
	* Considerate Constructors Scheme.		* Considerate Constructors Scheme.

Designing Buildings at 12:58, 31 August 2020

2020-08-31T12:58:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:58, 31 August 2020
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	* Thought leadership.		* Thought leadership.

−	[[Category:History]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Report]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]

82.26.86.33 at 22:01, 2 November 2019

2019-11-02T22:01:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:01, 2 November 2019
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	The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an adversarial industry with significant potential for disputes.		The construction industry in the UK has consistently performed in a way that is thought to be wasteful compared to other industries. There is a general impression that it does not deliver good value for its customers. In part this is due to the unusual nature of the industry, where, unlike a production line, each building is a one off. But in addition, the nature of contracting arrangements means that it can be an adversarial industry with significant potential for disputes.

−	A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ~~‘Reaching for~~ the Skies’ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Barnwell report in 1967. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.	+	A succession of reports had considered how to tackle these issues, including; ‘Building to the Skies’ in 1934, the Simon Report in 1944 and the Barnwell report in 1967. However, their recommendations largely failed to gain traction within the industry.

	In 1994 the Latham Report 'Constructing the Team' was published. The report was commissioned by the UK government to investigate the perceived problems with the construction industry, which the report’s author, Sir Michael Latham described as ‘ineffective’, ‘adversarial’, ‘fragmented’ and ‘incapable of delivering for its customers’.		In 1994 the Latham Report 'Constructing the Team' was published. The report was commissioned by the UK government to investigate the perceived problems with the construction industry, which the report’s author, Sir Michael Latham described as ‘ineffective’, ‘adversarial’, ‘fragmented’ and ‘incapable of delivering for its customers’.

Editor at 17:22, 14 June 2019

2019-06-14T17:22:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 14 June 2019
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	* Partnering.		* Partnering.
	* Public procurement.		* Public procurement.
		+	* Reinventing construction: a route to higher productivity.
	* Scheme for Construction Contracts.		* Scheme for Construction Contracts.
	* Sir John Egan.		* Sir John Egan.