The long-awaited Construction Act has formed part of the Queen's speech on the UK's draft legislative programme for 2008/09.

The new Act is included in the Community Empowerment, Housing and Economic Regeneration Bill.

Even though the bill does not directly refer to the Construction Act, it does commit to concentrating on "improving the operation of construction contracts".

The final stages of consultation of the three-year review, into the Act, looked at means of bolstering legislation and overcoming disputes in the industry.

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Until now there had been no feedback on progress, since the UK government was provided with findings from the consultation period.

But now it is expected a draft will be published in the coming months, which will then be subject to further consultation.

This news has been welcome by industry insiders, including Trevor Hursthouse, Chairman of the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group.

Speaking to Contract Journal, Mr Hursthouse said: "This represents the culmination of over seven years lobbying by SEC Group to tighten up the Act. We are grateful to the Construction Minister and her officials for their help and support."

(PR/JM)