by Clair Mooney | 10 Oct, 2025 | Main News Feed
In response to the Government’s consultation on tackling late payment and retentions in the construction sector, FIS has prepared its formal response on the package of proposed legislative measures to address late, long and disputed business to business payments.
Members can access a copy of the formal response here. If you have any feedback, please email iainmcilwee@thefis.org by 20 October 2025 to ensure your views are represented before the consultation closes on 23 October 2025.
Background
This consultation recognises that late payment impacts 1.5 billion businesses and ultimately costs the UK economy almost £11 billion per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day. The proposed package of measures are claimed to be the most significant attempt to address late, long and disputed business to business (B2B) payments in over 25 years.
The consultation proposes the following package of legislative measures:
| Policy |
Description |
| 1. Audit committees and board-level scrutiny of large company payment practices |
In September 2024, the government reaffirmed commitments to legislate on audit committees and other board level responsibilities to improve payment practices. The government believes further positive change could be achieved by increasing discussion and scrutiny of large companies’ payment practices at board level.We would welcome views on how government could best achieve this in the future with proportionate regulatory burden. For example:
A. Ensuring audit committees or company boards, where companies have them, provide commentary and make recommendations regarding payment performance to company directors before the data is submitted to government and included in the director’s report. This would include data provided as part of the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017, and any interest on late payment liabilities.
B. Ensuring the Small Business Commissioner writes to audit committees and company boards, where companies have them, when i) undertaking payment performance reporting assurance and ii) when investigating any other matter relating to a companies’ payment practices.
We would welcome views on these ideas, including the likely positive effects, costs, or any unintended negative consequences. We would also welcome other additional ideas to encourage greater discussion of payment practices at board level.
|
| 2. Maximum payment terms |
The policy will amend The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, removing the exemption that allows businesses to agree to payment terms longer than 60 days if considered not ‘grossly unfair’. This will effectively limit payment terms between UK businesses to 60 days. Subject to further consultation, this policy may subsequently reduce this limit from 60 days to 45 days after 5 years. |
| 3. A deadline for disputing invoices |
The policy will amend The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, introducing a 30-day invoice verification period. Businesses who wish to raise a dispute will need to do so within 30 days of receiving an invoice, otherwise they will be liable to pay the invoice in full within the agreed payment terms, alongside any statutory interest or debt recovery costs if the invoice is paid late. |
| 4. Mandatory statutory interest |
The policy will amend The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, making the statutory interest rate payable on late payments mandatory. This will remove the ability to negotiate compensation rates lower than the statutory rate. This will increase existing financial incentives to pay invoices on time. |
| 5. Additional reporting on statutory interest |
The policy will amend The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 to include additional reporting requirements around statutory interest liabilities. This will further increase transparency around poor B2B payment behaviour and informs other policies that aim to improve the utilisation and payment of statutory interest. |
| 6. Financial penalties for persistent late payers |
The policy will introduce new legislation, which gives the SBC powers to issue financial to businesses who persistently pay their suppliers late. The policy will use payment behaviour data submitted by businesses under The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations (2017) to identify and issue financial penalties to persistently late-paying businesses, with penalties based on businesses’ unpaid statutory interest liability. |
| 7. Additional powers for the SBC, including assurance of payment reporting data |
The policy will amend The Enterprise Act 2016 to give additional powers to the SBC. The additional powers would improve the SBC’s ability to conduct investigations into poor B2B payment behaviour (beyond its current complaints scheme), allow it to provide legally binding arbitration in disputes, and impose financial penalties or make arbitration awards after an investigation or arbitration process.The policy will also enable the SBC to investigate the accuracy of the payment reporting data that large businesses provide under The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017. This will improve the quality of reporting data and support the reporting regulations original objectives of improving transparency around B2B payment behaviour. |
| 8. Use of retention clauses in construction contracts |
The policy will amend Part 2 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act (1996), to either prohibit the use of retentions or to introduce requirements to protect retention funds deducted and withheld from insolvency and late or non-payment. |
by Clair Mooney | 8 Oct, 2025 | Awards, Skills
We’re delighted to announce the shortlist for this year’s Training Awards.
Celebrating excellence and achievement in plastering and interior trades, these awards acknowledge the accomplishments of apprentices and students who have exceeded expectations, training delivery by colleges and training providers, mentors and others who have supported sector training, including a lifetime contribution to training award.
Apprentice of the Year – Plastering Shortlist
- Damian Hayes from Thomas & Wilsons
- George Stamp from Locker & Riley (Fibrous Plastering)
- Jake Waite of Wannop
Apprentice / Student of the Year – Interior Trades Shortlist
- Dawson Dellar of ACS Plastering
- Nicole McKeown from The Errigal Academy
- Sam Woodward of Measom Dryline
Student of the Year – Plastering Shortlist
- Mohammad Abuali studying at The City of Liverpool College
- Monique Fenell from Cadman Manpen Systems Limited
- Yusuf Ibrahim studying at Derby College
Training Provider / College of the Year Shortlist
- Carlisle College
- Coleg Llandrillo
- Coleg Menai
- Craven College
- Leicester College
- NPTC Group of Colleges
- The Skills Centre
Formula Trophy Shortlist
- Entol MFG North America Inc trading as Ceilings4U
- KLLangton Decorative Plasterwork
- Plaster Mouldings Direct
FIS Member Training Programme Shortlist
Training Champion Shortlist
- Adam Barringer
- Terry McDermott
- Paul Orton
The winners of the above categories, and the Rising Star and Lifetime Contribution to Training will be announced at the Training Awards Lunch on 25 November at Plaisterers Hall in London. If you haven’t yet reserved your seats you can book your place here.
Congratulations to all the nominees for their hard work and dedication in pursuing their academic goals!
by Clair Mooney | 6 Oct, 2025 | Skills
Are you a drylining employer based in Scotland? Your expertise is essential in shaping the future of our industry.
We’re currently reviewing the occupational standards for drylining apprenticeships—the benchmarks that define what apprentices need to know and be able to do. These standards must reflect the realities of the Scottish construction sector, and that’s where you come in.
Why your voice matters:
- Ensure apprentices are trained to meet the needs of Scottish worksites
- Influence the quality and relevance of future training
- Help build a skilled workforce that strengthens our national industry
Whether you’re a sole trader or part of a larger firm, your feedback will help ensure these standards are fit for purpose across Scotland.
If interested, please contact Jim Johnstone at Skills Development Scotland – jim.johnstone@sds.co.uk or 079828914298
Let’s work together to build a stronger, smarter future for drylining in Scotland.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Oct, 2025 | Payments
From 1 October 2025, companies bidding for central Government contracts over £5 million per year must now demonstrate that they pay invoices within an average of 45 days, down from 55 days. They must also continue to pay at least 95% of invoices within 60 days (90% if an action plan is provided) otherwise they will be excluded from bidding.
The guidance to PPN 018 confirms that companies must meet both of these metrics in at least one of their two previous six-month reporting periods under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, although any companies that have failed to do so may submit data that has not yet been reported for the previous three or more months. Build UK’s payment performance table shows the results for more than 130 of the industry’s largest companies, and all Build UK tier one contractor members meet the new requirement to pay invoices within an average of 45 days.
The Government is consulting on further measures to tackle late payments, and we are encouraging all FIS members to have their say. The deadline for response is Thursday 23 October.
On the 9 September, FIS hosted a meeting with the Department for Business and Trade to discuss the key elements of the this consultation – you can see the full session here..FIS will be responding, but members are encouraged to feed their views into this consultation here.
by Clair Mooney | 1 Oct, 2025 | Health and Safety, Main News Feed
This week I attended the Mental Health Summit run by Get Construction Talking.
The stats are stark; we lose two people to suicide every day in construction. The industry is, when at its best, an amazing place to work, but not for everyone and not all the time. We all know that relentless programmes, poor payment practices, the race to the bottom, erratic work patterns, location dependence, and travel all contribute. It doesn’t help that we are a male dominated workforce that tends to the “just keep going” mindset. But it isn’t just a construction problem – industry specific challenges blend with societal issues, neural diversity, addiction, the cost-of-living crisis and the pressure that social media puts on people to feel like they are failing if life isn’t Insta perfect. We can’t always change the world, we can’t solve every problem, but we can be more alert.
As I sat there, I was thinking back to the presentation from Liam Colebrook at our Northern Regional Event the week prior and reminded of the consistency in the message. In a brave and challenging presentation, Liam opened up about his addictions and struggles with mental health and suicide. During the presentation you could have heard a pin drop, after there were some really powerful questions and discussion, but my mind was mostly turning to a moment when we were packing up. A former colleague of Liam’s, someone who worked with him at the time, came forward as we were unplugging the laptop and said … “mate I’m so sorry… I didn’t know”. I regularly caught up with Liam at events, throughout his darkest days and I didn’t see the signs either. Liam was one of our own, he went through hell, alone. Thankfully he is still here, staying strong and sharing so that we can all learn from our failures. But others aren’t and sadly some won’t be in the future – we do need to do more.
Get Construction Talking wasn’t just another conversation and a load of virtue signalling, it was an opportunity to share ideas, interrogate the causes, find out what others are doing and vitally to reflect. Collaboration is critical – as well as a “just crack on culture”, construction tends to foster a solutions mindset. We put ourselves on the hook to “fix it” rather than find the right help. As a result we get initiative overload – we are not the sum of our parts. This issue is one where we absolutely have to work on together. To this end it was encouraging to hear from Mark Reynolds, Chair of Mace and Chair of the Construction Leadership Council on the work they are doing to step up and lead a more collaborative effort. CLC has established a Mental Health Steering Group. You can find out more and support their research by sharing your insights here.
I’ve certainly come away thinking about how we can better join the dots to support individuals and businesses in our community more effectively. This starts with promoting the excellent and very practical Action Plan that B1M and Procore have developed through the Get Construction Talking Campaign (which is now uploaded on the Mental Health Toolkit on our website). The plan looks at the impact that individuals and Team Leaders can have and actions that they can take. I also want to do more to emphasise the links between mental health and other work we are doing. We can’t talk about mental health without talking about risk dumping in contracts and poor contractual management. FIS is encouraging all members to support the Conflict Avoidance Coalition which is doing great work to change this. Details available through our Responsible No campaign which is all about changing the culture in construction. We also can’t ignore unfair payment practices and retention and how they are a cancer at the core of our market, so again I encourage all to feed in to the Government consultation on late payment and retention that closes towards the end of August. We need to make sure Government have no excuse not to regulate better.
Perhaps the most important reminder on the day was that it isn’t just about getting construction talking, but making sure I am listening. To this end, please do bring always feel free to call FIS and unload – we can’t solve every problem, but perhaps we can help you appreciate that you aren’t the only one facing it and direct you to someone who can. Our office number is 0121 707 0077, but my mobile is 07792 959 481 and it is always on.
FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee
by Clair Mooney | 1 Oct, 2025 | Contractual and Legal
To support its members, FIS has produced a simple contract built for use by members. This work very much aligns to our Responsible No Campaign and our wider work on improving contractual practice and procurement in the sector.
The underlying principle is simplification works – when you streamline contracts and work of clear and simple terms you’ll save time, improve relationships, and avoid conflict.
The simplified contract has been developed by Sarah Fox, a renowned, and self-proclaimed recovering lawyer through consultation with FIS members. It can be used as an upper or lower contract and incorporates options to accomodate design where appropriate.
Vitally too the contracts have removed and clarified areas of contracts that are often weaponised in the legal process. It also includes clauses to help avoid conflict by using the Conflict Avoidance Process. This is part of FIS commitment to the Conflict Avoidance Pledge (in fact the need to challege the system with simpler contracts came out of a Round Table that FIS organised for the Conflict Avoidance Coalition (see the full write-up of the session here).
Matt Hallam, Divisional Director at Telling Finishings who was part of the contract development group 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.”
FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee commented:
There are many reasons for doing this. Firstly, we know a lot of our members start on a soft start with a letter of intent. This is a good set of working terms. Secondly, the contracts provide clauses that can be used as part of any contractual negotiation. Thirdly by deconstructing the existing standard form contracts, we’ve had a good chance to get into discussion of how specific sections are abused and weaponised and we can feed this into future discussions on the evolution of standard form contracts. And finally and perhaps most importantly, we need to highlight that there is a better way.
Despite all logic and every report into construction transformation arguing to the contrary,
we operate in a world where the industry is happy to accept the pantomime of pretence that we have Standard form JCTs or NECs. The reality is that we routinely amend them and waste valuable time and money, distort and destroy relationships, confuse responsibilities and undermine insurability.
Across the sector if we half our legal fees and we double our profits and that is before we think about the benefit of generally collaborative relationships helps create positive transformation – simplification is critical.
FIS is encouraging members to download and use these contracts to help simplify the way they work and improve relationships. To introduce how to use the contracts, author Sarah Fox took part in a webinar hosted by Iain McIlwee, FIS CEO in September 2025. In the webinar, Sarah boths introduces the contracts, answers questions from members and gives insight into some of the discussions that took place in the drafting process.
Members can download copies of the contracts free from the FIS Legal and Contractual Toolkit here.
by Clair Mooney | 26 Sep, 2025 | Technical
Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS) has published a report relating to reaction to fire classification of wall lining materials, pointing out the importance of understanding the testing regimes required for materials in different applications and how performance will likely be affected by composite panel constructions. Whilst the technical advice on testing applies to all wall lining products, the reporter here is particularly concerned about the classification of linings in and around freestanding pods which may have been overlooked in the requirements of Building Regulations guidance; Approved Document B due to being considered furniture items, and therefore not assessed for compliance by those responsible for fire safety in the design.
It is also important to understand that freestanding pods can have implications on both passive and active fire protection systems given their function as a room within a larger space.
If members have questions about design, specification, procurement or installation of pods, please either consult our Specifiers Guide to Partitions, or get in touch with our technical team who will be happy to help.
by Clair Mooney | 26 Sep, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Payments
On the 9 September, FIS hosted a meeting with the Department for Business and Trade to discuss the key elements of the the government’s consultation on late payments and retentions in the construction sector that was launched on 31 July.
FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee opened the meeting explaining that this is a once in a generational opportunity to get genuine legislative support from government as opposed to weakly enforced guidance. The consultation proposes nine measures to tackle late payments, including a 60-day maximum payment term, mandatory statutory interest, and a ban or protection mechanism for retention clauses.
The aim is to legislate to improve cash flow, reduce disputes and ensure fair payment practices.
Two main proposals for retentions were debated: a statutory ban on retention clauses and a protection scheme requiring retentions to be protected in a separate bank account or insured.
In this discussion it was highlighted that whilst the ban is attractive in principle, concerns were raised about retentions being replaced by expensive bonds and legal loopholes.
The digitalisation of trust accounts combined with automatic release on clearly defined dates associated with completion of works would potentially offer a more cost effective and practical solution. It was felt that this approach would also encourage clients to consider why they hold retention and how to manage quality and remove those companies that may be holding retention purely to retain working capital and seeking to profit from complexity in the current system
You can see the full session here.
FIS will be responding, but members are encouraged to feed their views into this consultation here
by Clair Mooney | 26 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed, Skills, Sustainability
FIS is supporting The Future Skyline Skills Commitment to encourage built environment employers to offer more inclusive workplaces and training, especially green skills training, to attract and retain new talent, including young people aged 16-18.
The construction industry is about people, progress, and possibility. This commitment, developed by the City of London Corporation and the Skills for a Sustainable Skyline (FSSC) Taskforce, empowers us to shape a
sector that is sustainable, inclusive and future-ready.
Iain McIlwee FIS CEO and Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Strategy Board Member said:
The Skills Shortage is a systemic problem that is impacting the market now and has the potential to choke expected future construction. The City of London Corporation recognise that this in turn has the potential to impact the attractiveness of London as leading global business hub.
The scale of the problem is enormous and particularly acute in London that was more reliant on migrant workers than other parts of the UK. The supply chain, from supplier and contractor through to client, needs to work together to create the right conditions to invest and work collectively to ensure we are finding the next cohort of workers now, have a stable pipeline of people wanting to join the industry in the future and the training infrastructure to deliver this. It has been amazing to work on the Skills for a Sustainable Taskforce Leadership Taskforce, I have learned loads, made amazing connections and found new hope. I applaud the City of London Corporation for creating this Taskforce and the collaborative ecosystem that is now working to support our common goal of fixing the skills crisis in London and look forward to being part of the next stage of the work – delivering it!”
To launch the Future Skyline Skills Commitment, The Skyline Skills Hub is hosting an in-person launch reception on the evening of Wednesday 1 October from 18.30-19.15pm (with networking before and afterwards), hosted at NLA’s The London Centre (3 Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH. Iain McIlwee will be attending the launch event, and is encouraging members to join him and hear about the commitment and how it can drive change in the sector, promoting sustainability and inclusivity by inspiring companies to take practical actions to address the sector’s skills gap.
by Clair Mooney | 26 Sep, 2025 | Sustainability
In an inspiring testament to innovation and sustainability, our ambitious initiative, Project Reuse, aimed at rescuing lights and other products from strip-outs has been awarded a Build Back Better GREEN Award in the 2025 lighting category. This award highlights our commitment in addressing the environmental challenges associated with fit-out and refurbishment.
The initiative, which has been crowdfunded for the first 12 months and led by the FIS Sustainability Leadership Group, focuses on the recovery and repurposing of lighting fixtures and ceilings products that are typically discarded during building strip-outs. By diverting these materials from landfills and giving them a second life, Project Reuse not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes a circular economy.
There is an increasing pressure from clients to reduce the carbon emissions of buildings. Giving products a second or third life is the only way we can continue our activities while minimising our impact on the planet. This is the way forward for the industry.
FIS Project Reuse Project Manager, Hattie Emerson who collected the Award said:
“We are thrilled to receive this award, which recognises our efforts to demystify the perceived challenges of incorporating preused products in projects. It is a result of dedicated collaboration, working closely with industry partners, architects, contractors, installers, manufacturers and sector leads to ensure the effective recovery and reuse of lighting and ceiling products. A special thanks go to the FIS Sustainability Leadership Group and project supporters Recolight, Reusefully, Ambit, Lumybel, Blackstone Strip Out, TP Bennett, Space Interior Systems, SAS, Recolight, Overbury and BPC Interiors without whose support this wouldn’t have been possible”.
The FIS Sustainability Leadership Group is a unique multi-stakeholder group that aims to accelerate sustainability through collaboration. We invite you to come and join the group whether you know a lot or very little about sustainability. If you are interested in joining the group, email flavielowres@thefis.org
You can find out more about Project Reuse here.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Sep, 2025 | Health and Safety, Main News Feed
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has today published a consultation on its mental health project. The CLC’s Health Safety and Wellbeing Summit on 1 July set out mental health as one of its priority focus areas (as part of its wider Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy), with the aim to create an environment that fosters better mental health for the people that work in the UK construction industry.
The CLC held a series of focus groups across England, in partnership with Mates in Mind and the University of Warwick, to identify the primary root causes for poor mental health in construction. Today’s consultation which is open until 5 November 2025, details those causes and invites stakeholders across the industry for their views on what can be done to eliminate or reduce them.
The importance of this work is illustrated by the fact the suicide rate in UK construction is four times the national average which is unacceptable.
Whilst we know there are lots of factors that affect a person’s mental health, with some work related and some not, these are not numbers. They are husbands, wives, dads, mums, children and friends. The time for systemic change is now. We all have a responsibility to our workforce to improve the health and wellbeing of our people.
Today’s consultation focuses on the measures that the UK construction industry can take to reduce the future likelihood of poor mental health in the sector.
We want to hear your views and ambitions for how we can collectively come together to reduce or eliminate the challenges colleagues and friends are experiencing across the sector. Change is needed.
We will then analyse the consultation results, before agreeing and publishing, in Spring 2026, an action plan with supporting guidance with industry leaders, and key stakeholders on what we can jointly do to address the root causes.
Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council said:
“As leaders in the built environment and construction sector, we have a collective responsibility to our workforce to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of our people.
By working in partnership and being ambitious, we can drive improvements in mental health across the sector, ensuring a positive working environment for our current and future workforce.
Today’s consultation is a vital step in that journey, enabling us to bring together the views of industry in this space to inform our public Spring 2026 action plan. I would encourage you to respond and give us your views”.
Feed your response into the consultation here
by Clair Mooney | 25 Sep, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Following the publication of Build UK’s latest version of the Common Assessment Standard on 1 July, a number of Build UK members have confirmed that companies in their supply chain must complete the mandatory Building Safety section by 1 October 2025. This applies to all companies carrying out work under the Building Safety Act.
Those members include BAM, Bowmer + Kirkland, Galliford Try, Kier, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Tilbury Douglas, VINCI and Wates, and companies working for any of these organisations should check that they have now completed the Building Safety section. The guide to the Common Assessment Standard question set includes guidance on answering the questions, including the evidence that can be submitted to support a response and where further information can be found.
If you have already the Common Assessment Standard from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies you do not need to obtain certification again from any others. Instead, they can agree to share their data at no cost with the other Recognised Assessment Bodies so it is visible to more Contractors and Clients. Don’t duplicate: giving permission to share your data is quick and simple and will help businesses across the supply chain to save time, reduce costs and win work.
The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry included a recommendation to introduce a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors wishing to work on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). Build UK has met with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to present the Common Assessment Standard, which is already used by over 21,000 suppliers to demonstrate their organisational capability. As a next step, we have been asked by MHCLG to host a joint roundtable with members that undertake the role of Principal Contractor on HRBs to discuss the objectives of a licensing scheme and how existing initiatives such as the Common Assessment Standard might be used effectively.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
The energy market has seen some big developments in recent weeks, with new charges and increased grid costs set to impact all businesses.
To help cut through the noise, FIS Associate Member Enexus Energy, has created a jargon-free guide that explains:
- The new Nuclear RAB levy (what it is, how much it costs, and when it starts)
- Why TNUoS transmission charges are rising much more than expected
- The potential impact on standing charges and existing contracts
- What options may be available to help mitigate the increases
These are complex changes that have a lot of different variables. But broadly speaking, businesses will see an increase in standing charges for fixed contracts from 2026 onwards.
If you are interested in reviewing your energy, Enexus is offering FIS members a free energy health check to help save money, boost efficiency, and plan ahead with confidence. You can find out more about this offer at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/enexus/
by Clair Mooney | 17 Sep, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Building on its Gateway Two guidance, Build UK has published an
overview of Gateway Three and the information and documents that must be included within an application to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for a Completion Certificate for a Higher-Risk Building (HRB). Gateway Three is a new application process which requires all the information to be submitted, even where it was previously provided as part of the
Gateway Two application.
The Build UK guide, which is available to FIS members through our membership of Build UK, is aligned with the BSR application portal and sets out the full list of questions that must be completed, including whether they are multiple choice, free text or a PDF document upload, to make it as easy as possible for members preparing and submitting a Gateway Three application. If a Partial Completion Strategy was agreed at Gateway Two and part of the building is intended to be occupied before work is completed on the rest of the building, then a Partial Completion Certificate must be applied for in relation to the work that has been completed. As is the case at Gateway Two, the BSR will carry out an initial assessment of the Gateway Three application to ensure that all the documents required have been submitted, which is known as the validation stage.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published updated guidance on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations in relation to the fire performance of flat entrance doors in existing blocks of flats. Designed to help Responsible Persons comply with their obligations to check that fire doors are regularly checked and remain suitable in accordance with the fire risk assessment originally undertaken, the update clarifies that the regulations do not require all existing flat entrance doors to be replaced to satisfy current standards for new blocks of flats as required by the Building Regulations.
The BSR and the Leasehold Advisory Service have launched a free online building safety training programme for Resident Management Companies to help them understand the Building Safety Act and their legal obligations for managing safety in High-Rise Residential Buildings.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
Local Government East (LGE) is seeking to understand micro / small businesses experiences of working with councils, or their reasons for choosing not to trade with them.
This short survey, which will only take two minutes of your time and is completely anonymous, will help LGE understand how they can remove barriers for small/ micro businesses accessing public sector business.
Over 95% of all registered UK companies are small or micro businesses. These businesses make an essential contribution to the prosperity of local communities and we would urge everyone to make their voice heard
The survey link is here and responses are required by Friday 3 October 2025.
by Clair Mooney | 12 Sep, 2025 | Awards
The FIS Scottish Awards are a celebration of the exceptional work and diverse range of projects carried out in Scotland. On 12 September, the awards ceremony was held at the impressive voco Grand Central Glasgow. The event was hosted by ex-professional referee John Rowbotham and was well-attended, with guests eagerly anticipating the announcement of this year’s winners.
The ceremony began with a short speech from FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee followed by a welcome address from FIS President Ian Strangward who highlighted the organisation’s activities in 2025 and plans for the future.
After a fantastic three-course lunch, the presentation of the awards began. The winners were as follows:
Specialist Installation category:
- Gold Award: Linear Projects for its installation at the W Hotel in Edinburgh
- Silver Award: Indeglas for its installation at the Haymarket Buildings in Edinburgh
Interior Fit Out category
- Gold Award: MPACT Group for its installation at Virgin Money in Glasgow
- Silver Award: Clansman Interiors for its installation at Future Beauty Labs in Glasgow
Project of the Year
- MPACT Group for its installation at Virgin Money in Glasgow
Apprentice of the Year: Josh Markie of Brian Hendry Interiors
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike McLaughlin, former Managing Director of Roskel
Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award: Ricky Spinelli, former Managing Director Roskel
Congratulations to all our winners, and to everyone who entered.
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.
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