The paper focuses on ground movements associated with tunnelling and deep excavations in stiff to hard soils. The first part presents field data from case histories of earth pressure balance (EPB) tunnelling. It is shown that, with good control of face pressure and tail void grouting, EPB tunnelling machines are now capable of achieving small volume losses, typically less than 1% and often significantly smaller. An unusual case history is presented of a large diameter tunnel with very shallow cover, using sprayed concrete linings (SCL); such tunnels can be safely constructed in hard soils with an open face, provided the undrained shear strength is high enough to ensure adequate face stability. Ground movements associated with deep excavations in stiff to hard clays are also reviewed. The second part of the paper concentrates on the effects of tunnelling and excavation-induced ground movements on buildings, with particular emphasis on tunnelling. Centrifuge modelling of building response to tunnelling is described; the results are consistent with both finite element analyses reported by Potts and Addenbrooke (1997) and Franzius et al (2006), and with field data of building performance. A new simplified design approach is proposed to take account of relative building stiffness, defined in a new way, based on centrifuge model tests, finite element analyses and field data.