{
  "query": "UK construction cost inflation 2026 steel infrastructure projects",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "The BCIS tender price index forecasts an average tender price inflation of 3.45% for 2026 across all sectors.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The BCIS tender price index shows tender price inflation running at 3.45% for 2026, but that’s an average across all sectors and all materials.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "In early March 2026, UK steel stockholders implemented surcharges ranging from 18% to 30% due to energy price spikes.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In the first week of March 2026, three UK steel stockholders sent surcharge notices to their customers. The increases ranged from 18% to 30%, effective within 14 days.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "For steel-heavy civil engineering and infrastructure work, the actual inflation rate in 2026 is significantly higher than the industry average.",
      "verbatim_quote": "For steel-heavy civils work, the real inflation rate is considerably higher.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Construction material prices for \"All Work\" rose by 2.0% in the 12 months leading up to January 2026.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In the 12 months to January 2026, construction material prices for \"All Work\" rose by 2.0%.",
      "source_url": "https://www.frank-key.co.uk/material-price-inflation-2026?srsltid=AfmBOop1_DJo16xJYaMV8Gt73ID4pHfQpx8_1ipMigI1ORZJI2DZvH6n",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Output price inflation was recorded at 2.7% year-on-year as of September 2025, preceding the 2026 inflationary shocks.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Output price inflation, running at 2.7% y/y in September 2025 (the latest available ONS data 13 had, for the first time in several years, exceeded input price inflation",
      "source_url": "https://www.tmhcc.com/en/news-and-articles/thought-leadership/uk-construction-sector-report-april-2026",
      "relevance": "low"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The 2026 conflict in the Strait of Hormuz triggered energy price spikes that directly impacted energy-intensive steel and cement production.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The US-Israel/Iran conflict that escalated in late February 2026 disrupted shipping through the strait... Energy prices spiked. Steel producers, cement manufacturers, and chemical companies, all heavily exposed to energy costs, responded with surcharges.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] The BCIS tender price index forecasts an average tender price inflation of 3.45% for 2026 across all sectors. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)\n- [HIGH] In early March 2026, UK steel stockholders implemented surcharges ranging from 18% to 30% due to energy price spikes. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)\n- [HIGH] For steel-heavy civil engineering and infrastructure work, the actual inflation rate in 2026 is significantly higher than the industry average. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)\n- [MEDIUM] Construction material prices for \"All Work\" rose by 2.0% in the 12 months leading up to January 2026. (source: https://www.frank-key.co.uk/material-price-inflation-2026?srsltid=AfmBOop1_DJo16xJYaMV8Gt73ID4pHfQpx8_1ipMigI1ORZJI2DZvH6n)\n- [LOW] Output price inflation was recorded at 2.7% year-on-year as of September 2025, preceding the 2026 inflationary shocks. (source: https://www.tmhcc.com/en/news-and-articles/thought-leadership/uk-construction-sector-report-april-2026)\n- [HIGH] The 2026 conflict in the Strait of Hormuz triggered energy price spikes that directly impacted energy-intensive steel and cement production. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)"
}