by Clair Mooney | 4 Aug, 2025 | Awards
Join us on 12 September in Glasgow for our annual Scottish Awards Lunch at which we honour the outstanding projects completed by our members in Scotland. The FIS Scottish Awards showcase the remarkable achievements of our members, with each project undergoing rigorous examination by our judges. From on-site visits to comprehensive judging criteria, every aspect is carefully evaluated to recognise excellence in the field.
The standard of entries into this year’s Awards as always was extremely high, so congratulations to all companies that entered. The shortlisted projects are:
Specialist Installation
Interior Fit Out:
In addition to these categories, we will also be unveiling this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
You can book to attend here.
by Clair Mooney | 28 Jul, 2025 | Main News Feed, Market data
The Construction Products Association’s Summer Forecasts, published today, show that the key drivers of cautious growth in UK construction remain similar to three months ago but the economic risks and uncertainties have risen considerably. Total construction output is forecast to rise by 1.9% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026, matching projections from Spring.
The growth in construction activity in 2025 and 2026 is forecast to be driven by the three largest sectors of construction: private housing new build, private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i) and infrastructure. Nevertheless, these sectors remain vulnerable to delays in starting new projects in the near-term, homeowner and consumer confidence to spend, and risks around the government increasingly looking as though it will need to raise taxes once again, potentially cut back on its capital expenditure plans, or both.
Private housing output is forecast to rise by 4.0% in 2025 and 7.0% in 2026. Fortunes for firms in house building will depend heavily on which part of the sector they are operating in. Major house builders continue to see a gradual recovery in completions, from a low base. Smaller house builders have seen an improvement in demand, but site viability remains challenging, given the numerous costs that the government continues to add to house builders. Build-to-Rent and high-rise continue to be affected by 6-9 month delays at the Building Safety Regulator, which are not expected to be resolved during the forecast period. Whilst government’s focus on supply side measures such as the National Planning Policy Framework, and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill may benefit towards the end of the forecast period and beyond, the demand side will be the key driver of activity in the near-term, balancing further interest rate cuts and improving confidence with continuing constraints around affordability.
In private housing rm&i, activity continues to be supported by government-subsidised energy-efficiency programmes, predominantly for heat pumps and solar photovoltaics, as well as a stream of fire safety remediation work. Outside of this, general home improvement activity remains subdued because although many homeowners currently have spare funds available for general home improvements, they are choosing to save rather than spend due to the scarring effect of the inflation spikes in 2022 and 2023 and current economic uncertainty. The key to growth in the sector overall will be when these homeowners with finance feel confident enough to spend on home improvement projects. This is still expected to be in late 2025 but it may be pushed back into 2026, especially if there are tax rises in the Autumn. Overall, private housing rm&i output is expected to rise by 2.0% in 2025, with any growth at the backend of the year, followed by 3.0% growth in 2026.
Infrastructure activity continues to remain strong on major projects such as Hinkley Point C and HS2, with water & sewerage as well as energy generation and distribution also set to become key drivers of growth next year. Large announcements of capital expenditure, the government’s recent ten-year Infrastructure Strategy and the Infrastructure Pipeline also show potential for the long-term. However, constant pauses, delays and cancellations to road and rail projects, the most recent of which were at the start of the month, as well as questions over the level of funding in the next National Highways settlement highlight major risks to infrastructure delivery. Overall, infrastructure output is expected to rise by 1.9% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026.
Commenting on the Spring Forecasts, CPA Head of Construction Research, Rebecca Larkin, said:
“The key fundamentals for the construction industry remain largely unchanged. Although everything continues to point towards the gradual growth in construction activity gathering pace over the rest of this year and in 2026, the only thing that has changed is the uncertainty.
“The forecasts envisage demand and activity gradually picking up in the two largest construction sectors but with all the different uncertainties around the economy, the key question for housing new build and rm&i is still when – when will mortgage rates fall to allow for more homebuyers, when will existing homeowners feel confident enough to spend on larger home improvements, and when will delays at the BSR ease to allow house builders and developers to start more high-rise projects.
“The government’s focus on capital investment in the Spending Review, plus the ten-year infrastructure strategy and infrastructure pipeline have helped to plot a path a path to long-term growth, but it is looking increasingly likely that the Chancellor will need to either raise taxes or cut capital expenditure – or do both – in the Autumn Budget. This would directly affect the largest private construction sectors, such as private housing new build and rm&i, as well as the largest public construction sectors, including schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, depending on where the capital expenditure cuts may fall.”
by Clair Mooney | 23 Jul, 2025 | Market data
Growth returned in the Construction Products Association State of Trade Survey for the second quarter of 2025, with 53% of heavy side product manufacturers and one-third of those on the light side reporting an increase in sales, on balance. This follows the fall in heavy side sales that was reported in Q1 and the latest results echo trading statements from house builders of a tentative pick-up in new starts (reliant on heavy side products), alongside a continuation of offices and commercial refurbishment and work under various government-funded energy-efficiency improvement schemes (that are dominated by light side products). Demand for heavy side products has remained weak for longer than expected over the last 12-18 months, as project starts have been held back by subdued homebuyer, consumer and investor confidence, slow economic growth and lingering uncertainty over geopolitical developments regarding tariffs, the Middle East and oil prices.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Jul, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Following concerns raised by Industry that delays in approvals by the BSR have slowed down the delivery of new buildings and homes, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee, chaired by Baroness Taylor of Bolton, has launched an inquiry into building safety regulation, with a particular focus on the work of the Building Safety Regulator, which was established following the Building Safety Act 2022.
The Committee invites interested individuals and organisations to submit evidence here by 31 August 2025.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Jul, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Safety, accountability, and residents’ voices were the three key principles of a landmark building safety Bill that was laid before the Senedd earlier this month, according to Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant.
The Building Safety (Wales) Bill forms part of a wider programme of reforms aimed at improving safety in these buildings, and is part of the Welsh Government’s broader response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy which seeks to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again, and includes:
- A programme of work aimed at addressing fire safety issues in multi-occupied residential buildings of 11m and above;
- Significant reforms to the building control system;
- Introducing new regulations for high-risk buildings;
- Clearer responsibilities for duty holders;
- Mandatory registration and regulation of building control professionals.
The Bill will require building safety risks to be assessed and managed while buildings are in occupation, for the benefit of residents and others, with a robust enforcement regime to back that up. Fire safety duties will also apply to certain Houses in Multiple Occupation.
The legislation will also create clear lines of accountability for duty holders. These duty holders will have legal responsibility for assessing and managing building safety, ending confusion over who is responsible for the safety of residents and others.
Additionally, the Bill will see residents in all regulated buildings provided with greater reassurances about the safety of their homes and clear routes for redress to raise building safety complaints. While also placing responsibilities on residents to play their part in keeping their building safe.
Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant said:
This landmark Bill will fundamentally transform safety in multi-occupied residential buildings across Wales.
Its key principles are safety, accountability and residents’ voices, and it goes wider and further than existing legislation in other parts of the UK.
It creates clear legal responsibilities for owners and others, gives residents new rights and pathways to raise complaints, enables standards for professional assessments, and provides robust enforcement powers when safety requirements aren’t met.
Because the safety and wellbeing of people in their homes must always be our priority.
This Bill is part of a wider programme to ensure that buildings in Wales are safer, and that people are protected in their homes.
The legacy of Grenfell Tower must be meaningful change. We owe it to those who lost their lives, their families, and the survivors to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again.
There are several differences between this and the UK Building Safety Act 2022. The Welsh bill:
- Applies to all multi-occupied residential buildings with two or more units regardless of height whereas the UK Act primarily applies to higher-risk buildings over 18m or seven storeys
- Expands the definition of higher-risk buildings to include hospitals, care homes and children’s homes while the UK Act focuses solely on residential buildings
- In Wales, local authorities will regulate the occupation phase with the HS&E overseeing registration. In England, the HSE Building Safety Regulator oversees both construction and occupational phases.
For more information on the Welsh Bill click here.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Jul, 2025 | Contractual and Legal
To support its members, FIS has produced a simple
sub-contract built on the 500 words principle. This work very much aligns to our
Responsible No Campaign and our wider work on improving contractual practice and procurement in the sector.
The sub-contract has been developed by Sarah Fox, a renowned, and self-proclaimed recovering lawyer through consultation with FIS members. At the heart of Sarah’s work is a simple idea – simplification works. When you streamline deals and clarify terms you’ll save time, improve relationships, and avoid conflict. And this contract is designed to support this idea. Members can download the contract for free, here.
Matt Hallam, Divisional Director at Telling Finishings who was part of the initial workshop to develop the contract said:
“For years construction contracts have increased in both content and terms, often adding minor changes and clauses which continue to confuse, conflict and often compromise those required to sign them.
The need for a shorter, and ultimately more simplified contract has never been greater, and we at Telling Finishings look forward to rolling out the ‘500 word Contract’, both upstream and downstream to hopefully give both the comfort and clarity these contracts were originally built to achieve.”
We encourage our members to download and use these contracts to help simplify the contractual process.
If you want a bit more background on the 500 Words Principles, Sarah’s website is here 500 Words and she did a cracking Podcast here.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Jul, 2025 | Main News Feed
This week the FIS responded to the Government Consultation on supporting small businesses. The consultation required response to 15 questions looking at current Government support for Small Businesses and Start-ups and where and how this could be improved.
In terms of priorities the FIS response focussed on:
- Payment practices, Credit Availability and Insolvency Regulation
- Fixing a broken Skills and Employment System
- Responsible public sector procurement
- Eliminate unreasonable risk transfer
In the response FIS noted the complexity in the regulatory structure, the impact of rising costs of compliance and employment and complexity associated with Government Grants and loans and lack of support from R&D that is near to market beyond Annual Investment and R&D Tax Allowances which, whilst useful do not provide upfront support to help SMEs raise necessary investment capital. The overall difficulty in accessing credit on reasonable terms also featured strongly in the FIS response.
FIS also drew out the lack of protection for SMEs in existing Insolvency Regulations, the softness of intent and enforcement of Late Payment Regulation and concerns about contractual complexity and growing legal costs.
The full response can be seen here.
by Clair Mooney | 11 Jul, 2025 | Health and Safety, Main News Feed
Following an investigation into knife injuries in the sector, the FIS Health and Safety Group has launched new guidance on knives to help businesses assess and plan for risks more effectively and protect workers from potentially life-changing injuries while improving overall project productivity.
Commenting on the launch of the new guidance, David Cant, Chair of the FIS Health and Safety Working Group said:
“Thankfully knife injuries remain rare amongst FIS membership, but through our H&S Working Group we take a proactive approach to reducing accident rates further. Having investigated all injuries reported in the past three years (through our Annual Health and Safety Survey) and looked at where and how knives are used in the sector, FIS do not advocate that the use of fixed and semi-fixed blade knives is inherently unsafe for operations like scoring plasterboard and recognises that alternatives are not always practical. However, where the use of such knives is necessary, it is important to risk assess, ensure that usage is limited to trained operatives, that safety protocols are adhered to, the correct tools are used and maintained and to double down on the use of appropriate PPE. To reinforce these key messages, with the support of our H&S Working Group, FIS has produced guidance that improves awareness, provides practical advice and reinforces the need for refresher training in support of the safe use of knives on-site”.
Most knife injuries occur when a blade slips often striking the worker’s other hand and causing lacerations to the hand or fingers. Where accidents have occurred they tend to link to a failure to follow PPE protocols. Using blunt tools further increases the risk. New Guidance from FIS reinforces that knives should only be issued to and carried by workers performing tasks that have been risk-assessed to ensure the right tool is being used, and only where appropriate training has been provided.
This guidance, adapted from advice developed by the Health and Safety Executive and the British Safety Industry Federation, has been contextualised by the FIS Health and Safety Working Group to suit the finishes and interiors sector. It focuses on eight key steps to reduce knife-cut injuries:
- Reduce or eliminate the need for cutting
- Specify the right knife for the task
- Ensure spare knives and blades are available
- Safe Storage / Sheathing
- Specify the correct PPE
- Assess the working environment and cutting techniques
- Provide adequate training
- Ensure appropriate first aid is available
The guidance also includes posters and QR codes that can be used on site and provide access to guidance.
To download the Knife-cut Injury Guidance, click here.
by Clair Mooney | 8 Jul, 2025 | Contractual and Legal
The government has released their Employment Rights Bill roadmap – and it includes timelines for consultations and planned implementation dates for big changes.
From Statutory Sick Pay shake-ups arriving in 2026 and day-one unfair dismissal rights landing in 2027, the clock is ticking to get your business ready for the future.
To help you get ahead of the changes our Associate Service Provider Member Citation have shared their latest resources for FIS members to access for free.
- Employment Rights Bill roadmap: Everything you need to know in one easy to digest timeline. Download your copy here
- The Employment Rights Bill: Your ultimate guide to the changes: An in-depth overview of the key changes and how to prepare. Download your copy here
- FREE webinar: The Employment Rights Bill unpacked Webinar: Citation will take members through an in-depth overview of the changes with the chance to ask any burning questions. Register your place here
With more than 300 HR experts, Employment Law solicitors and Health & Safety consultants on your side, Citation makes sure you’re always compliant and confident, no matter the changes coming your way. Their 24/7 support and unrivalled advice guarantee means they’re here to help you navigate any challenges and keep your business running smoothly And, as an FIS member, you can also access preferential rates on new client contracts! Call Citation today at 0345 844 1111 or click here to learn more.
by Clair Mooney | 7 Jul, 2025 | Health and Safety, Main News Feed
The FIS Health and Safety Working Group, which has been established to support compliance improve health and safety in the sector, held its last meeting on 3 July.
The meeting was opened up by Chair David Cant and began with a review of the results of the FIS Annual H&S Survey. A number of points were drawn out around key concerns, but overall the survey demonstrated a strong performance from the community in terms of accident frequency rates.
On Dust: Joe Marais, Trolex gave an update on dust monitoring and led into a discussion on future monitoring that they will be undertaking on real-time dust monitoring for drylining operations. Scott McGibbon spoke about the need for renew focus on silica dust and work he has been commissioned by CIOB to do in terms of developing guidance. The group also discussed RPE options and the need to revisit, through planned FIS work, not just the improved guidance advocated at the last meeting with the BSIF, but to look at legal responsibility of providing expensive equipment to self-employed workers refusing to shave and how employers can manage associated costs and contra charges.
Knife Safety: The group discussed the latest FIS guidance proposed on knife safety, noting a low accident rate with fixed blade knives when used correctly. This guide will be published w/c 7 July.
Pallet Safety: They inefficiency of current pallet trucks for moving plasterboard and the potential for a new, more suitable design and supporting guidance was discussed.
Manual Handling: FIS updated on e-learning in development with Mike Lordan at Construction People Skills regarding Manual Handling Processes and Davey Snowdon from Pristine spoke about lifting techniques and training options.
AOB raised related to the practicality of board lifters for ceilings, noting challenges with implementation of and suggesting a collaborative approach to improve manual handling practices.
The minutes and actions can be accessed here.
If you are interested in future meetings, email info@thefis.org and we will ensure you are notified.
by Clair Mooney | 7 Jul, 2025 | Skills
FIS has partnered with Construction People Solutions (CPS) to deliver specialist e-learning developed by construction experts, with many courses eligible for CITB grant funding.
The new Modern Site Culture course – available to FIS members for just £10 – focuses on improving safety, inclusivity, and communication on site. It’s fully grant-eligible, with a £60 CITB grant per attendee, delivered via the first e-learning platform to integrate CITB grants.
FIS is working closely with CPS to develop targeted, occupation-specific training – such as a new Manual Handling for Drylining cours – designed to address the real-life risks of this physically demanding task. In conjunction, FIS is actively lobbying CITB to grant-fund this manual handling e-learning and other relevant courses.
FIS members can access Modern Site Culture with a 50% discount using code MSC2025 at checkout.
Learn more and sign up here: Construction People
by Clair Mooney | 3 Jul, 2025 | Main News Feed
A new Innovation Hub, developed by the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) officially launches this month, to redefine how innovation is discovered, shared and adopted across the finishes and interiors sector.
The Innovation Hub brings together the latest in product development, digital transformation, and sustainability-driven design under one virtual roof. Housed on the SpecFinish platform, the Hub also features award-winning innovations from the FIS Innovation Awards.
Designed to serve architects, designers, specifiers, contractors, and manufacturers, the Innovation Hub showcases new solutions that are shaping the future of interior environments. From smart materials and digital planning tools to low-carbon finishes and circular economy models, the platform provides curated access to what’s next in the industry.
Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said:
“It is frustrating to hear people typify construction as a non-innovative sector. The truth is that there is no shortage of great ideas bubbling up all the time, but it can be hard to land innovation in a market where everyone is under pressure and the cost of delays is crippling.
“We see this platform to tap into this healthy innovation streak and help bring new ideas to market in a structured way. This is a key role for FIS and will support our drive to improve productivity, profitability and safety in the sector. Through this platform we will create a dynamic catalogue of innovation of all types digital, product, tools and even services and provide an opportunity to question and appraise potential. We hope too it will be a catalyst to support a network of innovators, when the barrier of entry is high, to get support from FIS and our community and to exchange ideas and collaborate more effectively”.
Key features of the Innovation Hub Include:
- New products: Discover the latest cutting-edge materials, finishes, and systems directly from leading brands and emerging disruptors.
- Digital solutions: Uncover the latest digital tools that help streamline project planning, —from reuse and circular solutions to capturing the golden thread of information.
- Sustainable Innovations: Access verified green solutions, low-impact products, and initiatives aligned with LEED, WELL, BREEAM, and other standards.
With the sector under increasing pressure to innovate responsibly and digitally, the Innovation Hub provides a much-needed platform to accelerate adoption of forward-thinking solutions.
Visit www.specfinish.co.uk/innovation-hub to explore the Innovation Hub.
by Clair Mooney | 1 Jul, 2025 | Building Safety Act, Technical
Build UK has published an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard, and the Building Safety section is now mandatory for completion by all companies that carry out work under the Building Safety Act. Version 5 also contains updates to the Corporate & Professional Standing; Environmental; and Fairness, Inclusion & Respect sections.
Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing individuals or organisations to undertake design or building work has a duty to ensure they are competent. Organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’, and the Common Assessment Standard is being used by a growing list of clients and contractors across the public and private sectors to demonstrate compliance.
Companies will be required to complete the updated question set when they next go through the certification process for the Common Assessment Standard with a Recognised Assessment Body, and a number of Build UK members will be specifying that members of their supply chains must have successfully completed the Building Safety section by 1 October 2025.
Jim Parlour, FIS Head of Technical, said:
“These ongoing changes to the common assessment standard are welcomed by our members who strive for best practice and wish to distinguish themselves. Demonstrating compliance with the now mandatory Building Safety criteria is not without challenges, and FIS have been working with our members to provide direct intervention and guidance over the last few months on approach to this deadline.
Members who are struggling to demonstrate fulfilment of the criteria should contact the FIS for advice and support.”
by Clair Mooney | 1 Jul, 2025 | Drylining, Skills
FIS has been working with members and colleagues from across the sector to develop the competency frameworks for Drylining and Plastering, which are now available for a 30-day online review and feedback period (30 June to 29 July 2025). This work is being carried out through Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) Programee, a cross-sector working group, focussing on the development of competence frameworks for the built environment, raising standards. Set up in 2018 as the Competence Steering Group, several competence frameworks have been delivered. With the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator, a structure is in place to allow a focus on broader industry representation, engagement and alignment across multiple competence programmes.
We would encourage members to provide feedback and comments, as these frameworks define the Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours essential for the trade. These frameworks will support the development of qualifcations and demonstration of competence in the sector.
Link to the consultations can be found here:
Drylining – citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/AJ25_2DL
Fibrous Plastering – citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/AJ25_3FB
There are also webinars, which CITB will host to go through the frameworks and how they have been developed, links to these can be found below:
Fibrous Plastering 15 July 2025, 2pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1423415206199?aff=oddtdtcreator
Drylining webinar 16 July 2025, 2pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1431668612359?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more information on the Competence Frameworks click here
by Clair Mooney | 30 Jun, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Delays to building new high-rise homes will be unblocked through a new package of reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) announced today. These reforms, which include a new Fast Track Process, changes to leadership and fresh investment, aim to support the delivery of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes and take early steps toward establishing a single construction regulator – a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Andy Roe KFSM has been appointed as non-executive chair of a new board of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to take on the functions of the BSR as part of initial steps towards creating a single construction regulator.
Andy brings a wealth of experience in safety regulation and leadership from his previous role as Commissioner of London Fire Brigade and he will be supported by a new Chief Executive Officer for the BSR, Charlie Pugsley.
Alex Norris, Minister for Building Safety, said:
“The establishment of the Building Safety Regulator has been fundamental to centralising safety in the construction process and it’s time to take the next steps to build on that precedent and create a system that works for the sector whilst keeping residents and their safety at the heart of the process.
“That’s why we’re announcing a package of reforms to the BSR today to enhance operations, reduce delays, and unlock the homes this country desperately needs – delivering on our Plan for Change.”
This new organisational structure reflects the government’s commitment to prioritising building safety in its drive to build 1.5m new homes, and builds on the strong foundation created by the HSE in establishing the BSR, which has played a pivotal role in placing raising safety standards across the sector.
To support industry in achieving the government’s ambitious housebuilding targets, the BSR is also introducing a new Fast Track Process which will bring building inspector and engineer capacity directly into the BSR to enhance the processing and review of existing newbuild cases and remediation decisions. This will respond to concerns in the sector around delays whilst crucially keeping building and residents’ safety at the core of the process.
Alongside these improvements, long-term investment in the capacity of the BSR is being bolstered with the addition of over 100 new members of staff to support with enhancing operations, reducing delays and supporting progress towards building 1.5m safe, high-quality homes as part of our Plan for Change.
Andy Roe, non-exec Chair of the BSR, said:
“The creation of the new Building Safety Regulator was a watershed moment for housing and construction in this country.
“However, it is also clear that the BSR processes’ need to continue to evolve and improve, to ensure that it plays its part in enabling the homes this country desperately needs to be built.
“I look forward to working with colleagues both in industry and the BSR to tackle the current issues and delays head on and help get those homes built safely.”
HSE Chair, Sarah Newton said:
“Setting up an entirely new regulator has been complex and huge progress has been made in a short space of time.
“Protecting residents and making sure there is never another tragedy like Grenfell has been our priority throughout this process. We wish the new BSR team well in this most important mission.
“We are very proud of the work we have done to establish the BSR. It was always an option that once the new regulator was established that it would move out of HSE to enable the Government to implement the Grenfell Public Inquiry recommendations and we will work hard to enable the smooth transition to the next stage.”
by Clair Mooney | 26 Jun, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Employment
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has agreed new pay rates from Monday 30 June. There is a 3.2% increase in the basic wage rates, as well as increases in travel and subsistence allowances and sick pay. The new rates should be read in conjunction with the Working Rule Agreement and Holiday Entitlement.
by Clair Mooney | 26 Jun, 2025 | Skills
YouthBuild UK are now accepting entries for its Young Builder of the Year Awards, in which they recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people, who despite having to overcome a range of challenges, have succeeded in training or gaining employment in the construction industry.
Established for over 20 years, they are seeking entries for young people in education, training or employment, aged:
- 14 – 18 years old at 1 January 2025
- 19 – 24 years old at 1 January 2025
The winners are unveiled at a prestigious ceremony held at the House of Commons on 15 October and all finalists receive a cash prize.
If there is an individual you would like to nominate who has overcome personal difficulties and barriers to succeed you can find out more the awards and submit your nomination here.
by Clair Mooney | 26 Jun, 2025 | Skills
FIS is proud to be partnering with Building Our Skills to deliver exciting Careers Festivals – showcasing ‘50 Careers in a Day’ – designed to open young minds to the diverse opportunities available within the finishes and interiors sector and the wider construction industry.
The careers festivals are taking place on
- 16 October – St Andrews Stadium, Birmingham
- 13 November – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
These events will bring together school-aged children, teachers, careers advisors, and parents to explore what a future in construction could look like. The festivals will feature real stories from real people, with industry professionals sharing insights into their own career journeys, what inspired them, and the variety of roles available across the sector.
Why get involved?
This initiative is about more than just awareness — it’s about making construction a career of choice for the next generation. The event aims to:
- Position construction as an exciting and rewarding long-term career
- Provide clear, practical information and guidance
- Enable direct engagement with passionate people working in the industry
We’re inviting FIS members to get involved — whether it’s by giving a short talk, sharing your story, or bringing along a hands-on activity that helps bring your work to life.
Are you interested in taking part?
If you’d like to be part of this inspiring day and help us shape the future of our industry, email Beena Nana by 25 June.
by Clair Mooney | 24 Jun, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Employment
From this Autumn, it will become mandatory for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identity to prove who they are. This is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to help prevent people using companies for illegal purposes.
Taking action now will help you to avoid delays or complications. If your company has multiple officers, allow plenty of time for each one to verify their identity. Directors based outside of the UK may also need extra time if they plan to use an authorised agent, also known as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify their identity.
You can verify:
- online using GOV.UK One Login – if you have the identity documents or information required
- in person at selected Post Offices – you must live in the UK and will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way
- using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – for example, an accountant or solicitor who has registered as a Companies House authorised agent (you’ll need to provide suitable identity documents)
What happens when you verify
Identity verification is a two-step process.
Step 1: Verify your identity and get your Companies House personal code. This code is personal to you, not the company. Keep this information secure until you need to use it. You can view your personal code in the ‘manage account’ section of your Companies House account.
Step 2: From autumn 2025, link your verified identity to Companies House records. Information on how to do this has not yet been issued.
The Act gives Companies House the power to play a more significant role in disrupting economic crime and supporting economic growth. Over time, the aims is that the measures will lead to improved transparency and more accurate and trusted information on its registers.
There will also be new responsibilities for:
- all new and existing company directors
- people with significant control of a company (PSCs)
- anyone who files information on behalf of a company
More details can be found here and a guide to changes to Company Law can be found here.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Jun, 2025 | Skills
CITB’s Skills and Training Fund is an opportunity for businesses to train/upskill their workforce. By offering funding in advance of training, businesses can access training programs tailored to their specific needs.
Please note:
- Up to two applications per year: Businesses can apply twice in a 12-month period but can only have one active project at a time, so you’ll need to manage your applications accordingly.
- Levy return: Your business must be up to date with its Levy Return to be eligible for the funding.
Funding Bands:
Small and Micro Sized Employers
- Employers with CIS only (no PAYE) can receive up to £2,500
- Employers with 1 to 49 directly-employed staff can receive up to £5,000
- Employers with 50 to 74 directly-employed staff can receive up to £7,500
- Employers with 75 to 99 directly-employed staff can receive up to £10,000
Medium Sized Employers
- Employers with between 100 and 149 directly employed staff can receive up to £15,000
- Employers with between 150 and 199 directly employed staff can receive up to £20,000
- Employers with between 200 and 250 directly employed staff can receive up to £25,000
If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with marieflinter@thefis.org
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