The BESNA deal is "finished" after M&E contractors decided to follow Balfour Beatty's lead and abandon the reforms.

Balfour Beatty Engineering Services dramatically pulled-out of the BESNA deal last week following pressure from union Unite and rank-and-file sparks. The move left the six remaining firms - NG Bailey, Crown House, Gratte Brothers, Spie Matthew Hall, Shepherd Engineering Services and T Clarke - in the lurch.

According to construction media reports there is a split between the six over strategy. A source close to the situation told Construction Enquirer website.

"One thing is definite, BESNA is finished. Some of the firms will instantly follow Balfour's lead and pull out of the deal."

Balfour is still hoping to modernise the M&E sector and Unite has agreed to "wide-ranging talks on modernising the industry" via the trade associations.