The Week That Was - 12 June 2026

Welcome to the week that was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.

Group Metropolitan turnover soars

South East London contractor Group Metropolitan has grown turnover by almost a third in its latest annual results.  Income rose 33 per cent to £84.9m for the year to 31/12/2025, while pre-tax profit increased 17 per cent to £7.8m.  

The firm attributed the uplift to “numerous projects” delivered as main contractor and a “diversification of works”. Cash at year-end ticked up to £12.7m (2024: £11.6m), although creditors due within a year climbed to £23.1m (2024: £17.7m).  Average headcount increased from 161 to 185 and staff costs jumped 20 per cent to £17.8m.

No dividend was paid and contributions to the employee ownership trust totalled £2.6m. Directors said they are bidding for new customers and remain optimistic, aiming to grow without losing local roots. 

Click here to read the full article. 

Wakefield’s historic civic buildings to become thriving new heart for creativity and culture

Plans have been approved to transform Wakefield’s former Coroner’s Court on Northgate into a new creative hub, marking the latest step in Rushbond’s regeneration of the city’s Civic Quarter.  

The scheme is being led by Yorkshire-based property investment and heritage specialist Rushbond in partnership with Wakefield Council, as part of a wider programme to restore historic buildings and bring new homes, creative workspaces and cultural activity back into the city centre.

The Grade II listed building will be renamed 71 Northgate and converted into flexible studio space for makers, artists and small businesses.  Just 100 metres away, the former Crown Court — soon to be known as the Court House — is also set to play a central role in the emerging quarter. 

Rushbond’s Harry Braid said the Court House will become “a vibrant destination” for designers, local radio hosts and independent businesses, alongside theatre, music, markets and food and drink. 

Click here to read the full article. 

Judgment Alert: UK Luxury Heights Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2026] UKFTT 796 (TC)

The First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) (FTT) has refused an appellant's application for disclosure of documents and struck out the Appellant's ground of appeal in respect of the determination insofar as it relied on Regulation 9(4) condition B of the Income Tax (Construction Industry Scheme) Regulations 2005.  

The case concerned a determination under Regulation 13 for the year ended 5 April 2022, plus penalties under Schedule 55 Finance Act 2009, after the appellant failed to make deductions and submit returns under the CIS regime.  The contractor sought disclosure of internal HMRC material to challenge HMRC’s refusal to grant relief under Regulation 9(4) condition B, the penalty calculations, and HMRC’s consideration of statutory mitigating provisions.  

Relying on the Court of Appeal’s decision in Beech Developments Ltd v HMRC, the Tribunal held it had no jurisdiction to decide whether condition B was satisfied: that issue is for judicial review, not the FTT.  Disclosure was therefore limited to matters within jurisdiction. On penalties, the Tribunal said the issues were statutory construction and the appellant had not pleaded reasonable excuse or special reduction. 

Click here to read more.

Delays to Prison Service's fire safety plans

The head of the prison service has blamed the collapse of contractor ISG for undermining plans to remediate the prison estate in England and Wales, including addressing instances of "high" fire risk. 

The prison service had previously stated an intention to take prison places 'offline' if they had not been made fully compliant by the end of 2027.  However, following the collapse of ISG the prison service has suggested that it would be "incredible" for that timeline to now be met factoring in the timetables for further procurement.  The prison service now expects automatic fire detection systems to be installed across prison estates by the early 2030s. 

For more information, please see here. 

Government expected to drop planned tariffs on foreign steel

Ministers are expected to drop planned tariffs on foreign steel after UK manufacturers warned that the measure would significantly increase their costs. 

The Government had previously announced in March 2026 that it was doubling tariffs on steel imports to 50% and reducing quotes by up to 60% in an effort to save UK steel producers.  It subsequently announced a three-month reprieve on import duties for steel buyers, and it is anticipated this could be extended to 12 months or instead replaced with formalised exemptions for specific sectors / companies which could not source products at all or in sufficient quantities in the UK.  

For more information, please see here. 

 Disclaimer: The information in this publication is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  We attempt to ensure that the content is current as at the date of publication, but we do not guarantee that it remains up to date. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.

With thanks to Jessica Hill and Harry Langford-Collins

If you have any queries please do get in contact with a member of the team, or your usual RPC contact.