Retention reforms are within reach
Contents |
[edit] A long battle
ECA (Electrical Contractors' Association) has fought for retention reforms for more than 30 years. The Late Payment Consultation is the most pivotal Government intervention since the Construction Act in 1996. It is vital that industry coalesces around one solution: abolition or protection of cash retentions . By submitting a response, using this template, you can help influence the outcome.
Based on Member insights from the Business Policy & Practice Committee, the Government is now considering several of ECA’s lobbying positions. ECA made a substantial contribution to the Government’s Call for Evidence on the Small Business Strategy, which led to the Small Business Plan.
[edit] Government calls for tougher measures to protect electricians
“From… electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers—too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses.
It’s unfair, it’s exhausting, and it’s holding Britain back. So, our message is clear: it’s time to pay up.”
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
[edit] Late payments and mental health
To provide evidence to Government on the human cost of late payments, ECA has launched an industry payment and mental health survey. This led to the Construction Leadership Council’s acknowledgement that poor mental health in the supply chain is linked directly to prompt payment.
This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as "Retention reforms are within reach" dated 1 September, 2025.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Cash flow in construction.
- Causes of construction disputes.
- Collaborative practices.
- Construction client's charter.
- Construction supply chain payment charter.
- ECA survey seeks to uncover the human cost of payment abuse.
- Fair Payment Code.
- Fair Payment Code needs to work together with network of fair and late payment initiatives to add value.
- Fair payment practices for construction.
- Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act.
- Insolvency.
- Net zero commitment will be required for major government contracts.
- Procurement policy note PPN.
- Prompt Payment Code boosted to help SMEs.
- Prompt payment code: the story behind the headlines.
- Progress on poor payment practices.
- Project bank accounts.
- Remedies for late payment in the construction industry.
- Scheme for construction contracts.
- The Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2013.
- The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024.
- Transparency on payment performance data.
- Fair Payment Code.
- Fair Payment Code needs to work together with network of fair and late payment initiatives to add value.
- Fair payment practices for construction.
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.