{
  "query": "UK steel industry cost trends 2026 NEC contract performance benchmarks",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "For 2026, UK steel prices are forecast to stabilize with specific growth ranges: Merchant Bars (+1% to +3%), Coil Sheets (Stable to +2%), Structural Steel (Stable), and Rebar (+1% to +3%).",
      "verbatim_quote": "Price Outlook for 2026 2026 is forecast to be a more stable year. With freight rates falling and energy prices normalising, price volatility should ease. Merchant Bars: +1% to +3% Coil Sheets: Stable to +2% Structural Steel: Stable Rebar: +1% to +3%",
      "source_url": "https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The UK steel market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.09% from 2026 to 2034.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The market generated a revenue of USD 33,170.20 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach a revenue of USD 43,625.70 Million by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.09% from 2026-2034.",
      "source_url": "https://www.imarcgroup.com/uk-steel-market",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "NEC contract performance measurement is shifting to include carbon-related requirements in Scope and performance tables as part of the Transforming Infrastructure Performance roadmap.",
      "verbatim_quote": "carbon-related requirements are more likely to appear in Scope, reporting expectations, performance tables and procurement evaluation criteria as the decade continues. For contractors, the practical point is that project controls processes built only around time and cost are already less complete than they were three years ago.",
      "source_url": "https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The March 2026 UK government infrastructure pipeline includes 734 planned projects representing £718 billion of investment over the next decade.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The March 2026 government infrastructure pipeline update refers to 734 planned projects and £718 billion of public and private investment over the next decade.",
      "source_url": "https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "General contracting benchmarks for 2026 indicate a 14% reduction in enterprise legal involvement.",
      "verbatim_quote": "14% reduction in enterprise legal involvement.",
      "source_url": "https://ironcladapp.com/resources/reports/2026-contracting-benchmark-report",
      "relevance": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] For 2026, UK steel prices are forecast to stabilize with specific growth ranges: Merchant Bars (+1% to +3%), Coil Sheets (Stable to +2%), Structural Steel (Stable), and Rebar (+1% to +3%). (source: https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/)\n- [HIGH] The UK steel market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.09% from 2026 to 2034. (source: https://www.imarcgroup.com/uk-steel-market)\n- [HIGH] NEC contract performance measurement is shifting to include carbon-related requirements in Scope and performance tables as part of the Transforming Infrastructure Performance roadmap. (source: https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection)\n- [MEDIUM] The March 2026 UK government infrastructure pipeline includes 734 planned projects representing £718 billion of investment over the next decade. (source: https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection)\n- [MEDIUM] General contracting benchmarks for 2026 indicate a 14% reduction in enterprise legal involvement. (source: https://ironcladapp.com/resources/reports/2026-contracting-benchmark-report)"
}