The UK construction industry is bracing for the introduction of the Building Safety Levy in October 2026, a government measure designed to raise funds for cladding remediation and ensure higher standards across new residential developments. But as developers warn about rising costs, training experts argue that the right skills could be the difference between profit and penalty.

Rising Costs Put Developers Under Pressure

The levy will apply to most new residential projects requiring building control approval, with charges linked to the size and type of development. Industry commentators have already flagged concerns about delays, additional red tape, and the financial strain it could place on housebuilding at a time when demand for new homes is at an all-time high.

“Training Is the Cheapest Insurance”

According to Catherine Storer, Director at Essential Site Skills, the conversation shouldn’t just be about the levy, it should be about competence:

“Every mistake on site comes with a price tag, and under the new regime that price is going to get even higher. The cheapest way for developers to protect their bottom line isn’t cutting corners, it’s making sure their teams have the right training from day one.”

The Cost of Rework vs the Cost of Skills

Essential Site Skills, one of the UK’s leading providers of health, safety and construction training, warns that the levy will make rework and compliance breaches more expensive than ever.

“Too often we see projects stall because staff aren’t fully aware of the latest safety standards or regulatory changes,” Storer added. “If you have to redo work, or worse, face penalties from the Building Safety Regulator, the costs quickly dwarf the price of proper training. The levy just adds another layer of risk for businesses that don’t invest in competence.”

Recent industry analysis has highlighted how updated standards such as BS 9792:2025 on fire risk assessments are already reshaping compliance requirements, with training playing a central role in meeting them. Essential Site Skills has explored this in detail in its article BS 9792:2025 – Raising the Bar for Fire Risk Assessments in Housing.

Why Training Matters Under the New Levy

With the Building Safety Levy due to apply from October 2026, mistakes and compliance failures will become more costly than ever. Applying training now can help developers by:

• Reducing rework and delays – trained staff deliver projects right first time, avoiding costly remedial work.
• Meeting regulator expectations – competence proves to the Building Safety Regulator that safety standards are being met.
• Strengthening the ‘golden thread’ – skilled teams capture and pass on compliance information accurately.
• Protecting margins – in a tighter financial environment, upskilled staff keep projects profitable.

Shifting Mindsets Ahead of 2026

While the levy is aimed at raising standards, Storer argues that developers who act now to upskill supervisors, site managers, and operatives will not only avoid compliance headaches but also deliver faster, safer, and more cost-effective projects.

“We need to shift the mindset. Training isn’t just a compliance box, it’s a financial strategy. If developers prepare their workforce today, they’ll be in a much stronger position when the levy comes into force in 2026.”