{
  "query": "UK construction cost escalation 2024-2025 steel sector NEC contract risk contingency norms",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "In late 2025, British Steel implemented a price increase of £50 per tonne for structural sections.",
      "verbatim_quote": "on 14 November 2025 British Steel increased transaction prices for structural sections by £50 per tonne for all new orders with immediate effect.",
      "source_url": "https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/supply-chain/british-steel-hikes-steel-price-by-50-per-tonne-27-11-2025/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Structural steel prices in the UK are forecasted to rise by up to 4% in 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Price Outlook for 2025... Structural Steel: Stable to +4%",
      "source_url": "https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "In 2024, UK structural steel prices remained relatively stable with a maximum increase of 3%.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In 2024, UK steel prices saw moderate increases... Structural Steel: Stable to +3%",
      "source_url": "https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "NEC contracts are mandated by the UK government for publicly funded construction projects to manage risk and delivery.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The UK Government’s Construction Playbook and Infrastructure and Projects Authority now effectively mandate NEC for publicly funded construction projects.",
      "source_url": "https://medium.com/@nihanthreddy65/why-nec-contracts-are-revolutionizing-uk-construction-and-what-you-need-to-know-38de679222c8",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "NEC4 contracts include specific options, such as X22, to manage early contractor involvement and risk allocation.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Article 3 explains how NEC contracts can be used to support ESI through use of its suite of contracts and/or by using secondary Option X22 on early contractor involvement.",
      "source_url": "https://www.neccontract.com/news/new-guidance-for-nec-users-on-how-to-follow-the-construction-playbook?srsltid=AfmBOorSBmkrB5xWAJobv6qoXEtseCvmAWS2gGCu8W9x3tiPYafix2sJ",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "UK steel prices for merchant bars and coil sheets are expected to rise by up to 6% and 7% respectively in 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Merchant Bars: +3% to +6% Coil Sheets: +2% to +7%",
      "source_url": "https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] In late 2025, British Steel implemented a price increase of £50 per tonne for structural sections. (source: https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/supply-chain/british-steel-hikes-steel-price-by-50-per-tonne-27-11-2025/)\n- [HIGH] Structural steel prices in the UK are forecasted to rise by up to 4% in 2025. (source: https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/)\n- [HIGH] In 2024, UK structural steel prices remained relatively stable with a maximum increase of 3%. (source: https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/)\n- [HIGH] NEC contracts are mandated by the UK government for publicly funded construction projects to manage risk and delivery. (source: https://medium.com/@nihanthreddy65/why-nec-contracts-are-revolutionizing-uk-construction-and-what-you-need-to-know-38de679222c8)\n- [MEDIUM] NEC4 contracts include specific options, such as X22, to manage early contractor involvement and risk allocation. (source: https://www.neccontract.com/news/new-guidance-for-nec-users-on-how-to-follow-the-construction-playbook?srsltid=AfmBOorSBmkrB5xWAJobv6qoXEtseCvmAWS2gGCu8W9x3tiPYafix2sJ)\n- [HIGH] UK steel prices for merchant bars and coil sheets are expected to rise by up to 6% and 7% respectively in 2025. (source: https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/)"
}