The group is the latest pledging to adopt Government-endorsed pre-qualification register Constructionline’s safety and PQQ standards to streamline procurement within their supply chains.

Vinci, Kier, Bouygues UK, Lend Lease, Seddon, Longcross Construction, Lakehouse, Bullock and McLaughlin & Harvey have all signed-up.

The move will remove the need for thousands of subcontractors to duplicate PQQs and Stage One health & safety assessments.

The average PQQ & Health & Safety Assessment costs a subcontractor £650 to complete.

Rebecca Sperti, director at Constructionline, said: “This agreement is a huge milestone and also marks a major step forward in the industry’s on-going quest to reduce duplication and simplify procurement for second tier suppliers.

“Having long been the established PQQ service for local and central government, our mission has been to broaden our reach into the private sector through tier one contractors.

“With some of the industry’s biggest names making this commitment then we have made great progress and we want to continue to engage with many more.

“The Group have shown real leadership to make significant changes to their own practices to align their systems with the three standards, which will deliver massive benefits to thousands of smaller contractors.”

One of the contractors said: “The benefits of utilising Constructionline are vast.

“For Main Contractors it means we create efficiencies internally – contractor documentation is sourced and kept up to date for us.

“It reduces our risk as Constructionline continually monitor our subcontractors for us to ensure they have the relevant insurances, licences and financial stability to work in the industry and we have peace of mind in knowing we are aligned to Government initiatives like PAS91 and Safety Schemes in Procurement.

“Alongside this Constructionline provide us with support in sourcing local, small businesses for our regional projects.”