FIS is preparing a response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Call for Evidence on the future Strategy for the Built Environment Professions, Trades and Occupations. The consultation will help shape government policy on competence, accountability, behaviours and collaboration across the entire building lifecycle, with a new strategy expected in 2027.
Our draft response argues that while competence is often discussed in terms of skills, qualifications and regulation, the ability of competent people and businesses to deliver safe, high-quality and compliant work is fundamentally shaped by the conditions created through procurement and design processes. We contend that many project failures attributed to workmanship, quality, cost or programme pressures can be traced back to earlier decisions on procurement routes, risk allocation, appointment timing, design responsibility and project governance.
The draft focuses on four interconnected areas of risk:
- Procurement risk arising from late specialist engagement, unclear responsibilities and inappropriate transfer of risk.
- Design risk where specialist knowledge is introduced too late and unresolved assumptions are passed through the project lifecycle.
- Time risk created by programme pressures, poor transition from design to construction and inadequate site readiness.
- Cost and cash risk resulting from payment practices and commercial pressures that undermine investment in competence, training and quality.
A central recommendation is that procurement should be recognised as a primary control point for competence and accountability. The draft also proposes stronger use of Design Responsibility Matrices, greater recognition of specialist expertise during design development, clearer treatment of design-significant changes such as substitutions and value engineering, and the inclusion of key procurement and responsibility records within the Golden Thread.
This consultation provides an important opportunity to ensure that the practical experience of specialist contractors and the finishes and interiors sector is reflected in future government policy. To strengthen our response, we are seeking member input on whether the themes identified reflect current industry experience and to gather evidence, examples and case studies that demonstrate how procurement practices, design responsibility, programme pressures, site readiness and payment practices impact project outcomes.
We encourage all members to read the draft response and provide comments and suggested amendments to iainmcilwee@thefis.org by 10 August.
In particular, we welcome examples that illustrate the challenges and opportunities identified in the paper, as well as views on the key messages that FIS should prioritise in its final submission. Feedback will help ensure that our response accurately reflects the realities facing businesses across the finishes and interiors sector and maximises our influence on the future development of the built environment professions strategy.
Please send comments and evidence to FIS by 10 August 2026 to help shape the final submission
Request for FIS member input
Mmebers are encourageed to read the draft response and provide any comments or suggested amendments to iainmcilwee@thefis.org by 10 August.