Submitted by Callum Smith on Monday 23rd February 2026
Published on Wednesday 15th April 2026
Current status: Open
Open until: Thursday 15th October 2026
Current Signatures: 77
(count is updated approximately hourly)
Relevant Departments
Tagged with
Change ~ Companies ~ construction ~ Create ~ Ensure ~ Fairer ~ Industry ~ Legally ~ Payment ~ Pressure ~ Professional ~ Quality ~ uncertainty ~ Unlawful ~ work
Legally prohibit retention clauses in construction contracts.
We want legislative change to prohibit retention clauses in construction contracts. I believe making such retention practices unlawful can create a fairer marketplace where contractors are paid in full and on time, removing the financial burden and uncertainty that I feel plagues the industry.
In my work as a construction dispute resolution professional, I have seen first-hand how retention clauses in construction contracts can be exploited. I see these clauses being misused to withhold payment from contractors for unsubstantiated reasons.
Retention clauses are intended to ensure the quality of work by holding back a portion of payment, but in my experience have become tools for larger companies to exert undue pressure on smaller contractors.
If you want to sign this petition (as opposed to merely discuss it), you need to do that on the government's e-Petitions website.
216.73.217.179 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:26:01 +0100