{
  "query": "UK construction industry cost and schedule trends May 2026 NEC contracts UK steel sector benchmarks",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "Typical lead times for structural steel and curtain walling are benchmarked at 14 to 18 weeks as of late 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "14–18 wks Typical lead times for structural steel and curtain walling (BCIS, Q4 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Prelims allowances in winning bids increased by 6% to 8% year-on-year as of late 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "BCIS, late 2025: prelims allowances in winning bids up 6% to 8% YoY",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Under NEC and JCT contracts, repair and maintenance (R&M) work is prone to margin leakage due to missed notice periods for instructions and small changes.",
      "verbatim_quote": "R&M generates more instructions and small changes, so you get more chances to miss notice periods under JCT or NEC contracts. That is margin leakage, not a site performance issue.",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Fewer than 30% of construction projects under £20m include fluctuation clauses to manage wage drift in fixed tender rates.",
      "verbatim_quote": "RICS Contracts in Use: fewer than 30% of sub-£20m jobs include fluctuation clauses",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The UK steel sector faces high credit risk and elevated insolvency levels heading into 2026 due to high input costs and subdued demand.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Metals and steel insolvencies have increased in 2025, and we expect no major improvement in 2026.",
      "source_url": "https://atradiuscollections.com/global/knowledge-and-research/reports/industry-trends-metals-and-steel-march-2026",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Rising employment costs from the Autumn Budget, including higher minimum wage and National Insurance contributions, are expected to pressure construction margins in 2026.",
      "verbatim_quote": "rising employment costs from the Autumn Budget – higher minimum wage and National Insurance contributions, will undoubtedly add pressure to already tight margins.",
      "source_url": "https://asd.ltd/construction-trends-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Typical prelims share for projects valued between £5m and £20m is benchmarked at 12% to 16%.",
      "verbatim_quote": "12%–16% Typical prelims share on £5m–£20m jobs (RICS Contracts in Use, 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] Typical lead times for structural steel and curtain walling are benchmarked at 14 to 18 weeks as of late 2025. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)\n- [HIGH] Prelims allowances in winning bids increased by 6% to 8% year-on-year as of late 2025. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)\n- [HIGH] Under NEC and JCT contracts, repair and maintenance (R&M) work is prone to margin leakage due to missed notice periods for instructions and small changes. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)\n- [MEDIUM] Fewer than 30% of construction projects under £20m include fluctuation clauses to manage wage drift in fixed tender rates. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)\n- [HIGH] The UK steel sector faces high credit risk and elevated insolvency levels heading into 2026 due to high input costs and subdued demand. (source: https://atradiuscollections.com/global/knowledge-and-research/reports/industry-trends-metals-and-steel-march-2026)\n- [HIGH] Rising employment costs from the Autumn Budget, including higher minimum wage and National Insurance contributions, are expected to pressure construction margins in 2026. (source: https://asd.ltd/construction-trends-2026/)\n- [HIGH] Typical prelims share for projects valued between £5m and £20m is benchmarked at 12% to 16%. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)"
}