Civil engineering business drove a sharp rise in first-half profits at BAM’s UK construction business as claim settlements and stronger project delivery lifted earnings. Civil Engineering UK increased EBITDA by nearly half to £59m despite revenue easing 1% to £780m, lifting operating margin to 7.6%, up from 5.1% in the same period last year. Across the wider UK and Ireland division, revenue rose 4% to €1.73bn (£1.48bn) while adjusted EBITDA jumped 48% to €98m (£84m). The division’s order book slipped back to €6.1bn from €6.9bn at the end of 2025, although BAM expects several major civil engineering awards during the second half. BAM said demand remained strong across energy, transport, water, healthcare, education and defence, with more than 70% of civil engineering opportunities linked to existing strategic clients.