I鈥檓 not surprised that the Construction Act failed to make an appearance in the Queen鈥檚 speech and I will certainly not be shedding any tears over its non-inclusion.

Any changes to the act should be based on industry consensus, and these proposals have certainly not enjoyed that.

I think we can assume that the submissions and views on the issue are still being considered, but there will be a delay. Although I have no desire to see changes to the payment provisions, this unfortunately means some useful amendments on adjudication will be delayed.

It鈥檚 not likely that amendments will find their way on to a private member鈥檚 bill without industry consensus. Nor will there be one if there is no wider appreciation that those who do not pay will ignore legislation, whatever form it is presented in, and that further regulation will serve only as an administrative burden to contractors that do comply.

Stephen Ratcliffe, chief executive, Construction Confederation