340 decisions were made across all valid Gateway Two applications with an approval rate of 82% according to the latest Building Safety Regulator data for the period 11 May to 1 August 2026. However, 300 applications (47% of the total received) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same period. For the first time, NHS applications – covering a range of hospital building work from maintenance to new facilities – have been reported on separately.

This month marks a year since the establishment of the Innovation Unit, which has determined a total of 102 new build applications in that time. 75% have been approved or approved with requirements, with the median approval time reducing from 43 weeks to 22 weeks over the last year.

The BSR has provided its first data on ‘major change’ requests. Of the 181 live major change requests, 42% are new build, 33% are Category A and B, 12% are remediation, 12% are NHS, and 1% are transitional projects. New build change requests are currently taking on average seven weeks to close, against the statutory target of six weeks.

The BSR also received 45 Gateway Three applications during the last 12 weeks. There were 29 decisions made in an average time of 16 weeks with an approval rate of 72%. No new build projects that have been through Gateway Two have yet reached Gateway Three.  

Manual handling injuries remain one of the leading causes of workplace ill health and lost working time in construction, accounting for around 17%* of all reported non-fatal workplace injuries in the UK, making it one of the most significant contributors to lost working time in construction.

In drylining, operatives routinely handle large, heavy and often awkward materials within challenging site environments, making the associated risks particularly significant. UK boards are not necessarily larger or heavier than those used elsewhere in Europe, but their frequent manual handling in UK construction settings increases handling risk, highlighting the importance of awareness and safe practice.

To help tackle this issue, the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a new course – An Introduction to Manual Handling for Dryliners – designed specifically for drylining contractors and operatives.

Developed in partnership with CITB, Construction People Solutions and FIS members, this course addresses concerns around the handling of plasterboard and other drylining materials on site. Its primary focus is to increase awareness of manual handling risks, promote safer working practices and reinforce the collective responsibility for health and safety throughout the construction process. Its other aspiration is to drive industry training that can easily be transposed on-site.

Speaking about the development of the course, Justin Devaney, FIS Vice President and Operations Director at FIS contractor member Platt and Reilly said:

“The FIS Introduction to Manual Handling for Dryliners e-Learning course is an important addition to the FIS Academy and a valuable resource for drylining and fit-out contractors.

“Evidence regularly shared across social media by plasterboard load-out service providers highlights that unsafe and high-risk manual handling practices continue to take place on construction sites. Too often, these activities go unchallenged despite the responsibility shared by site managers, supervisors, and operatives to maintain safe working practices.

“It’s important that everyone in the chain is responsible for site safety and not just the person carrying out the task. This course provides practical, drylining-specific guidance and should form part of every contractor’s health and safety toolkit.”

FIS Head of Skills and Training Beena Nana added:

“We have developed this training with CITB and Construction People Solutions to support our members, providing practical guidance that reflects today’s working practices, helping members handle materials safely, confidently and more efficiently on site.

“By improving handling techniques and raising awareness of best practice, the training aims to reduce the risk of injury while supporting safer, more productive workplaces across the industry.”

The course forms part of FIS’s wider commitment to improving competence across the finishes and interiors sector and supporting members in meeting their obligations under the industry’s evolving competence and safety agenda.

Michael Lordan, Director of M.L.A and Construction People Solutions and developer of the course said:

“I embarked on this project because much of the manual handling e-Learning available today is generic and not tailored to the realities of construction, despite being widely used to demonstrate workforce training.

“Having seen firsthand the impact that poor manual handling practices can have on workers’ health, wellbeing and long-term careers, I felt it was important to start with this subject.

“The drywall trades are among the hardest working trades in the industry and are often exposed to significant manual handling risks, yet many have little understanding of the cumulative impact these activities can have on their bodies over time.

My hope is that this course will help raise awareness, encourage safer working practices, and ultimately contribute to reducing manual handling injuries across the sector.”

Delivered through the FIS Academy, the online course offers flexible learning that can be completed at any time, making it suitable for operatives, supervisors, site managers and business leaders seeking to strengthen their approach to manual handling safety.

By equipping individuals with the knowledge to identify risks, challenge unsafe practices and implement safer methods of work,

FIS hopes the course will contribute to a reduction in preventable injuries and help foster a stronger safety culture across the drylining sector.

The course is available now through the FIS Academy.

Course costs:

£45 + VAT for members 

£60 + VAT for non members 

CITB registered employers may be eligible to reclaim 50% of the full course cost.) Please contact your CITB Advisor ahead of booking this course to secure funding (they should also book the course(s) for you)

(*Non-fatal injuries at work in Great Britain – HSE)

FIS has submitted its response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Call for Evidence on the Strategy for Built Environment Professions, Trades and Occupations.

In our response, which you can view here, FIS asserted that competence is not only a matter of individual skill or organisational capability, it is a condition created or undermined by how projects are procured, contracted, programmed and governed. Procurement is the control point at which our sector’s four core risks – design, time, cost and cash – are either managed or passed downstream to those least able to control them. The Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative reaches the same conclusion independently, ranking lowest-price procurement and procurement routes as the top two barriers to improving specialist design.

Our priorities, with the questions where each is argued:

• Procurement is the lever. Route, appointment timing, scope and risk allocation decide whether competence can be exercised at all. Put the procurement record, contract and a live Design Responsibility Matrix in the Golden Thread, and use the Procurement Act 2023 to enforce uptake of the Construction Playbook (Q6, Q12, Q16, Q23).
• Fix the design development process. Stages should be evidence-based decision points, not vague milestones, with detail classified as confirmed, nominal or unresolved. 51% of CQIC respondents disagree that design responsibilities are clearly defined (Q23, Q31, Q33).
• Post-award price reduction strips investment out of projects. Around two-thirds of specialists are asked to cut price after appointment. Those cuts come out of supervision, out of value engineering the system, or out of the labour rate — rarely out of margin (Q33, Q38).
• Treat payment as a competence measure. Specialists extend 60–78 days of credit to larger clients; retentions are never released on time for 65% working with national housebuilders. Firms that cannot forecast cash cannot invest in supervision, training or evidence (Q38).
• Training is an absorption problem.  Short-notice pipeline, aggressive procurement and poor payment practices remove the return on investment required and force companies to use more contingent labour (Q76).

The full FIS response, which is available here, provides the detailed evidence, recommendations and supporting data behind these positions.

Skills Minister thanks construction industry for its role in shaping apprenticeship reform

The construction industry’s voice is being heard as government moves forward with reforms to apprenticeship assessment, with the Skills Minister recognising the sector’s contribution to shaping how the changes will work in practice.

In a letter to members of the Construction Coalition and Skills England’s Construction Taskforce, the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern thanked industry representatives for their “invaluable and constructive contributions” to the implementation of Apprenticeship Assessment Reform across the Construction & Built Environment sector.

The Minister highlighted the important role industry has played in identifying the challenges created by significant changes to apprenticeship assessment, advocating for action and, crucially, co-developing solutions with Skills England.

She said this collaboration has helped ensure that the requirements of industry are secured alongside the benefits of reform, with a shared focus on streamlining unnecessary complexity while maintaining confidence among employers and learners in training and assessment for safety-critical occupations.

The letter is a clear recognition that successful reform cannot be designed by government alone. The expertise and experience of employers and industry bodies have been central to testing proposals and identifying practical solutions that work for the construction sector.

Beena Nana, FIS Head of Skills and Training welcomed the progress:

“It is encouraging to see industry being genuinely listened to and involved in shaping this important work. We have worked closely with our members and Skills England to ensure the approach is practical and reflects the needs of employers, while maintaining the high standards and competence expected across our sector.”

The Minister also noted that the contributions from the Construction Coalition and Construction Taskforce have helped ensure reforms support the continued competence of the workforce and maintain employers’ confidence that apprenticeships produce people able to work safely, effectively and to the high professional standards expected across the sector.

With the current round of test cases now almost complete, the lessons learned will help inform assessment plans across other apprenticeships.

Baroness Smith concluded by stressing that successful apprenticeships depend on strong collaboration between industry, training providers, assessment organisations and government.

For the construction sector, the message is encouraging: industry has been listened to, its concerns have helped shape the approach, and its expertise is influencing the next stage of apprenticeship reform.

The work now is to build on that collaboration and ensure the final reforms deliver for employers, apprentices and the wider economy.

Following recent announcements, FIS welcomes the Prime Minister’s recognition that there should be no hierarchy between academic and technical education, and that young people should have the freedom to choose the route that best suits their ambitions and strengths. For construction, apprenticeships and skilled trades offer a valuable pathway into rewarding careers, combining practical experience, recognised qualifications and the opportunity to build a long term career in a vital industry.

The Government is backing that ambition by investing in more opportunities for young people closer to home. By expanding access to colleges, apprenticeships, technical training and high-quality work experience, we can help young people develop the skills employers need while creating stronger local economies. This means making sure young people have access to the opportunities they need without having to move away from their families and communities.

Stronger links between education providers and local businesses will also help create a clearer pathway from education into good, skilled jobs. By bringing employers closer to schools, colleges and training providers, young people can gain practical experience, understand the opportunities available to them and develop the skills needed to build successful careers. At the same time, local businesses benefit from a stronger pipeline of home-grown talent.

For too long, where someone lives or the type of education they choose has shaped the opportunities available to them. This approach is about changing, giving young people more choice, more practical opportunities and a stronger start in their working lives. Success does not look the same for everyone, but every young person should have the chance to build a fulfilling career and a secure future, whether their journey begins in a lecture theatre, a college workshop or on the job.

For more information on career routes into the sector contact FIS Head of Skills and Training Beena Nana or FIS Skills and Training Advisor Marie Flinter.

See more news likes this

Research reveals a significant gap between what councils think local suppliers need and what small businesses say would help them win public sector work.

A new best practice guide is urging councils across England to rethink how they engage with local businesses and voluntary organisations, arguing that outdated procurement practices continue to exclude the very organisations best placed to deliver economic growth, social value and resilient local services.

Published by Local Government East and developed in partnership with local authorities and procurement leaders, Building a Local Business and Voluntary Sector Friendly Council provides practical guidance to help councils attract, engage and retain more small and micro businesses within their supply chains.

The publication comes at a time of increasing national focus on local economic growth, community wealth building and the role of public procurement in supporting local economies.

Drawing on research, interviews and survey responses from almost 100 businesses and voluntary organisations, including FIS, the study found that many smaller organisations feel excluded from council procurement opportunities, citing overly complex processes, difficulty identifying opportunities and a perception that councils primarily work with larger suppliers.

The findings also reveal a significant mismatch between council perceptions and supplier experiences. While there is a widespread consensus among councils to assume that additional training or “meet the buyer” events are the key to increasing participation, businesses consistently identified a need for councils to better understand the practical realities of operating as a small organisation, including limited time, capacity and resources.

The guidance argues that councils can make immediate improvements by simplifying documentation, using plain language contracts, adopting proportionate requirements, improving communication and taking a more proactive approach to engaging local suppliers.

Ken Cole, lead author and Local Government East Talent Bank Associate, said:

“Small and micro businesses are the backbone of local economies and account for the overwhelming majority of businesses operating across England. Yet many councils still unintentionally create barriers  through their procurement policies and procedures that make it difficult for these organisations to engage.

This guidance demonstrates that becoming more business-friendly doesn’t require legislative change or significant investment. Often it means challenging assumptions, simplifying processes and recognising that smaller organisations operate very differently from large corporations.”

The report highlights growing evidence that increasing spend with local businesses delivers benefits far beyond procurement outcomes, supporting local jobs, strengthening communities, improving social value and contributing to environmental sustainability through shorter supply chains.

Sally Guyer, Global CEO of World Commerce and Contracting said

“This isn’t simply about procurement. It’s about how councils use their spending power to support thriving local economies and stronger communities.

While the project originated in the East of England, the challenges and opportunities identified are shared by councils across the country. Our ambition is for this guidance to help local authorities everywhere create more accessible and inclusive approaches to working with local businesses and voluntary organisations.”

The publication is also expected to form part of wider national discussions on the future of local procurement, including the World Commerce & Contracting webinar, Bridges not Barriers: Unlocking Local Procurement for Small and Micro Businesses. https://www.worldcc.com/events/event-calendar/bridges-not-barriers-unlocking-local-procurement-for-small-and-micro-businesses.html

After eight years of service, Iain McIlwee confirmed today that later this year he will be stepping down as CEO of FIS and the process has begun to find his replacement. In this short article Iain reflects on his time at FIS and the exciting opportunity to lead the next chapter for the FIS and wider sector.

Eight years ago, I was entrusted with the role of Chief Executive at Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS). Today, I am confirming that later this year I will be handing that responsibility on to someone new.

This has not been an easy decision as FIS has always been more than a job to me. I care deeply about this sector, the people within it and the vital role FIS plays in helping drive positive change. Representing our members has been one of the greatest privileges of my career and, hand on heart, I have given everything I have to that mission throughout my tenure.

There is never a perfect time to move on from something that means so much, but after eight years it feels like the right moment to pass the baton and allow someone new to lead FIS into its next chapter.

What has driven me every day in this role is doing right by the people. The businesses and individuals who turn drawings into reality, overcome challenges every day and quite literally put the wow into buildings. The trust placed in me by members and the FIS team over the years has been humbling, and I will always be grateful for it.

When I joined FIS, the organisation was still relatively early in its journey following the merger that brought together different parts of our sector under a single banner. Over the past eight years, we have continued to strengthen that collective voice, grow our influence and raise the profile of an industry that plays a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality and sustainable buildings.

The backdrop has been one of unprecedented challenge and change. Together, we navigated COVID, waves of inflation and supported the sector through the profound reforms that followed the Grenfell tragedy and continue to reshape construction. We have prioritised the competency agenda, strengthened our leadership on sustainability, championed better procurement through the Responsible No campaign and intensified the fight against poor payment practices and cash retentions. Seeing the Commercial Payments Bill progress through Parliament is a reminder of what can be achieved when industry comes together behind a shared cause.

No Chief Executive achieves anything on their own, and any success attributed to me is really a reflection of the people around me. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the FIS Board for their leadership and support, and to the amazing FIS team for their dedication, passion and unwavering commitment to our members.

As I prepare for the next chapter, I do so with complete confidence in the future of FIS. We have an outstanding team, a clear purpose and a membership that continues to demonstrate the very best of our sector. The work is far from done, but I know FIS will continue to play a leading role in driving positive change in construction.  To whoever follows me, I can only commend this role. If you are passionate about making a difference, bringing people together and helping to lead change, there are few opportunities in our industry that offer the same privilege, challenge and reward.

Before I sign off, I want to leave one final call to action.

FIS is at its best when members get involved. When people share their experience, challenge thinking, contribute expertise and work together to improve our sector, good things happen.  Whether you are already a member or considering joining, my message is simple: don’t take FIS for granted and don’t stand on the sidelines. The greater the participation, the stronger our collective voice becomes and the more we can achieve together.  My experience over the past eight years has shown me time and time again that when we come together behind shared challenges and opportunities, we are greater than the sum of our parts. More influential. More effective. Better able to shape the future of our industry.

FIS will always be defined by its members. Please continue to support it, challenge it and help shape it.

In return, my final promise is that I will leave nothing on the pitch over the next three months as we manage this transition and continue building on these strong foundations.

FIS is now welcoming applications from interested and ambitious candidates to lead the next chapter for FIS and the wider sector.

Could this exciting opportunity be your next career move? Find out more about the role and take the next step towards making an impact for the finishes and interiors sector.

Ahead of National Inclusion Week (14-18 September 2026), RNID is offering a range of free resources to help organisations build deaf awareness and create more inclusive workplaces. Getting involved is easy, and the resources can be used during the week and throughout the year.

In the workplace, a quarter (25%) of deaf people say they have experienced negative attitudes and behaviours from work colleagues. This figure almost doubles (49%) for British Sign Language (BSL) users, according to RNID’s ‘It does matter’ research (PDF 1.6mb).

Together we can change this. Sign up to receive RNID’s free resources to help your staff become more deaf aware – perfect for National Inclusion Week in September and beyond.

Sign up for RNID’s free resources

When you register, you’ll receive:

• Tips, posters and videos that are perfect for sharing with your colleagues during National Inclusion Week (14-18 September 2026) and throughout the year.
• Access to their exclusive events, including an upcoming webinar – Make your workplace inclusive: Build confidence talking about hearing loss, where storytellers and inclusive employers will share their top tips and experiences.

RNID is the national charity supporting more than 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. They campaign to change public attitudes and help people hear better now. They fund groundbreaking biomedical research that will stop hearing loss and silence tinnitus. And they provide practical support and information over the phone, online and in local communities.

Ahead of National Inclusion Week (14-18 September 2026), RNID is offering a range of free resources to help organisations build deaf awareness and create more inclusive workplaces. Getting involved is easy, and the resources can be used during the week and throughout the year.

In the workplace, a quarter (25%) of deaf people say they have experienced negative attitudes and behaviours from work colleagues. This figure almost doubles (49%) for British Sign Language (BSL) users, according to RNID’s ‘It does matter’ research (PDF 1.6mb).

Together we can change this. Sign up to receive RNID’s free resources to help your staff become more deaf aware – perfect for National Inclusion Week in September and beyond.

Sign up for RNID’s free resources

When you register, you’ll receive:

• Tips, posters and videos that are perfect for sharing with your colleagues during National Inclusion Week (14-18 September 2026) and throughout the year.
• Access to their exclusive events, including an upcoming webinar – Make your workplace inclusive: Build confidence talking about hearing loss, where storytellers and inclusive employers will share their top tips and experiences.

RNID is the national charity supporting more than 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. They campaign to change public attitudes and help people hear better now. They fund groundbreaking biomedical research that will stop hearing loss and silence tinnitus. And they provide practical support and information over the phone, online and in local communities.

FIS has expanded its industry-leading Competency Framework programme with the publication of four new frameworks covering Suspended Ceiling Installation, Complex Ceilings, Service Moveable Walls and Modular Partitions.

The latest additions build on the growing suite of FIS Competency Frameworks, providing clear, practical guidance to support competence, compliance and best practice across the finishes and interiors sector.

Developed in collaboration with FIS members, employers, manufacturers, training providers, CITB and wider industry stakeholders, the frameworks reflect real working practice and define the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours required for individuals working in specialist finishes and interiors occupations. 

The expansion marks another significant milestone in supporting the industry’s response to the Building Safety Act, helping organisations demonstrate that individuals have the competence required for the work they undertake. 

The following Competency Frameworks are now available on the FIS website at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/competency-frameworks/

• Suspended Ceilings (NEW)
• Complex Ceilings (NEW)
• Service Moveable Walls (NEW)
• Modular Partitions (NEW)
• Ceilings
• Drylining
• Fibrous Plastering
• Solid Plastering
• Raised Access Flooring
• SFS (Steel Framed Systems)

 Each Competency Framework provides a consistent, structured approach to competence and includes:

• Routes to competence – recognised qualification and training pathways for the occupation.
• SKEB statements (Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviour) – detailing the competencies required for installers, including mandatory training and ongoing revalidation where appropriate.
• Implementation plans – outlining how the frameworks will be adopted across the sector, supported by assessment and training.

Together, these frameworks provide employers, individuals, clients and principal contractors with greater confidence that work is being carried out safely, competently and in accordance with both legal requirements and industry best practice.

The introduction of dedicated frameworks for Suspended Ceilings, Complex Ceilings, Moveable Walls and Modular Partitions reflects the increasing demand for greater role clarity within specialist interior fit-out disciplines. They establish consistent benchmarks for competence while supporting businesses in meeting client expectations, improving workforce capability and strengthening quality across the sector.

Commenting on the launch, Beena Nana, Head of Skills and Training at FIS said:

“These new frameworks give employers and installers a clear understanding of the skills needed for their roles. They will help improve standards across the sector and support businesses in meeting the requirements of the Building Safety Act.”

To underpin the Competence Frameworks, CITB, in partnership with Build UK and fire industry experts, have developed a free Fire Safety in Buildings e-learning course to improve an individual’s knowledge of fire safety measures in buildings. The course is suitable for anyone working in the design, construction, or maintenance of buildings, with a specific focus on installers and can be accessed here https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/training-offers-for-members/fis-training-modules/fire-safety-in-buildings/

The full suite of Competency Frameworks is available at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/competency-frameworks/

The CPA’s forecast for construction output has been downgraded further in its Summer forecast, due to the lagged impacts of the Middle East conflict that are starting to pass through to both the demand and cost sides of the UK economy. Construction output year-to-date so far in 2026 has already fallen by 1.6%, according to the Office for National Statistics, even before the impacts of the conflict and it is now expected to fall by 3.3% overall in 2026. This fall is due to activity weakening considerably in the key sectors of private housing new build and private housing repair, maintenance and improvement during the second half of the year. Output is still expected to rise by 1.2% in 2027 but the risks remain heavily on the downside.

Private housing is the largest construction sector and house builders have begun to report that homebuyer demand has weakened sharply in recent months in line with the increase in mortgage interest rates since the Middle East conflict. This will exacerbate the issue of affordability, which was already a problem before the conflict, especially for buyers in areas of the country with higher house prices. In lower-priced parts of the country, house builders will have to deal with sharp cost increases when site viability is already an issue. A spike in construction product prices in the second half of this year will come on top of a list of additional regulatory costs imposed over the last few years, with the Building Safety Levy coming into force in October 2026 and the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, which will be implemented in March 2027. Overall, private housing output is forecast to fall by 10.0% in 2026, a downward revision from -7.0% in the Spring forecast and output is forecast to remain flat in 2027, the same forecast as in Spring, but now from a lower level.

Private housing repair, maintenance, and improvement (rm&i) is the second-largest construction sector. Basic repairs and maintenance activities have largely continued as usual, but there has been limited activity in home improvement projects, typically the key driver of growth. Even though many homeowners had the finances for projects over the last two years, they have increasingly focused on saving rather than spending, especially on discretionary, non-essential items such as home improvement projects, and this is likely to be the case as the cost of living rises in the next 12 months. In the long term, government-funded schemes for energy efficiency in the private housing stock may drive further growth in solar photovoltaic and heat pumps, although skills shortages may hinder this. Overall, private housing rm&i output is forecast to fall by 8.0% in 2026 and remain flat in 2027.

There is still expected to be significant growth in infrastructure, the third-largest construction sector, given longer-term existing contracts, pipelines of activity and funding in place for future projects. Energy generation and National Grid distribution work are expected to continue growing strongly, as is water investment. There is greater uncertainty in rail, with the HS2 cost-saving ‘reset’ now expected to be published only in Spring 2027, and in roads, following the just-departed Prime Minister’s announcement that further defence spending would be partly funded by cuts to new roads projects. Overall, infrastructure output is forecast to rise by 3.2% in 2026, unchanged from Spring, and by 3.2% in 2027, a marginal revision down from 3.4% in Spring.

Commenting on the Spring Forecasts, CPA Head of Construction Research, Rebecca Larkin, said:

“Construction activity so far this year is already lower than a year earlier and there is still considerable concern that we are yet to see the key impacts of cost inflation on projects down on the ground or the extent to which it affects appetite for signing up to or starting new projects. The biggest questions are how rises in construction costs, financing costs and the cost of living will affect the privately-financed sectors of private housing, private housing rm&i and commercial. Consequently, these sectors are forecast to experience the largest falls in output over the next 12-18 months.

 

Even in areas where we forecast growth, there is an increased risk that rising cost inflation eats into the volume of construction work, even if the values of work are maintained. In addition, this rise in construction costs runs alongside the government’s imposition of 50% import tariffs for imported steel since 1 July 2026 and the prospect of even higher financing costs if the Bank of England raises interest rates, which make worsening viability a key barrier for new projects to progress.

 

The arrival of the new Prime Minister emphasises that the new government will have to focus on enabling house building and construction demand, as well as focus on reducing cost burdens on the whole construction supply chain if it is serious about pledges for more new homes, more and better quality infrastructure and the Net Zero transition. This is a pressing issue as essential capacity and skills have been lost in the last two years and this will only get worse as activity falls over the next 12-18 months.”

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

FIS is inviting members to take part in the Construction Showcase at this year’s SkillBuild National Final, taking place at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, on 18–19 November 2026.

The Construction Showcase is an interactive experience hub featuring hands-on activities and live demonstrations designed to inspire young people to explore careers in construction. As part of the showcase, FIS will be highlighting the breadth of opportunities and skills within the finishes and interiors sector and we are looking for members to help bring the stand to life.

Whether through interactive activities, practical demonstrations or engaging displays, this is an excellent opportunity to promote your specialist skills, engage with future talent and help inspire the next generation to consider a career in the sector.

Construction Showcase opening times:

• Wednesday 18 November: 09:00–16:00
• Thursday 19 November: 09:00–15:00

If you’re able to support the FIS stand, please contact Beena Nana at beenanana@thefis.org by Friday 11 September.

The Construction Showcase forms part of the SkillBuild National Final, the UK’s largest multi-trade skills competition. Visitors will have the chance to watch the country’s top scoring apprentices and trainees compete across a range of trades including Drylining, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Plastering, Painting and Decorating, Wall and Floor Tiling, and Joinery, with projects transforming from blank canvases into impressive displays of craftsmanship, skill and precision.

Recruiting and retaining skilled people remains one of the biggest challenges facing our sector. The Government’s Youth Guarantee aims to help employers access new talent while giving young people aged 16–24 the skills, experience and opportunities they need to succeed.

For FIS members, the initiative offers practical support to strengthen your workforce and reduce recruitment costs through funded training, apprenticeships and employer incentives.

What support is available?

Eligible employers may be able to benefit from:

• Funded apprenticeship training and new apprenticeship incentives.
• The £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for recruiting eligible young people claiming Universal Credit.
• Access to Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) to help recruit job-ready candidates with training tailored to your business.
• Support to provide work experience placements and connect with young people through local Jobcentres and Youth Hubs.
• Free recruitment support from Jobcentre Plus, including advertising vacancies, candidate matching and advice from dedicated Recruitment Consultants.

Whether you’re looking to recruit apprentices, site operatives, estimators, project managers or office based staff, these schemes can help you develop the skilled workforce your business needs while supporting the next generation of construction professionals.

Find out more

Get in touch with beenanana@thefis.org or marieflinter@thefis.org

Visit the Government’s Build Your Future Workforce campaign to explore the support available for employers and register your interest:

Build Your Future Workforce

You can also find guidance on apprenticeships, grants and recruitment support through GOV.UK employer guidance.

The Government has confirmed right to work checks will be extended from 1 October 2026 to include casual or temporary workers, subcontractors and agency workers supplied through contractual chains. Employers have the following options for ensuring an individual has the right to work in the UK:

• Use a certified digital identity service provider to conduct digital checks on any individual who has either a valid British or Irish Passport (or Irish Passport Card). The employer must still confirm that the individual presenting for work is the same as whose identity has been verified, which can be done via video call.
• Conduct an online check via the Home Office online service where an individual has been provided with an eVisa or is providing certain other documentation. An employer can also use the Employer Checking Service in specific circumstances, for example where an individual has an outstanding application or appeal with the Home Office.

Conduct in‐person manual document‐based checks, where the employer has to physically obtain, check and copy ‘acceptable documents’ from the prospective employee. It should be noted that a driving licence is not an acceptable document.

The Government has confirmed that it will issue further guidance in due course, and Build UK members are advised to identify who among their staff will fall within the extended right to work scope and start reviewing contracts and processes. Employers conducting right to work checks in accordance with the Home Office guidance will be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’, which protects them from liability if they are later found to be employing someone illegally. Without a statutory excuse, employers face significant penalties, which could be up to a maximum of £60,000 per worker.

The first three months of 2026 were a challenging opening to the year data from the CPA Construction Trade Survey has revealed.

Previous surveys had already shown a slowdown in demand over recent quarters and with persistent rain in January and February and the start of the Middle Eastern conflict pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel in March, there was a broad weakness evident in the construction supply chain.

Sales fell for product manufacturers and workloads were lower for both chartered surveyors and civil engineering contractors. Moreover, it was the first quarter that both heavy side and light side product manufacturers had reported a decrease in sales volumes since 2023 Q4, it was also the lowest balance for chartered surveyors and civil engineering contractors since the pandemic-hit quarters in 2020. This widespread decline points to a more broad-based fall in construction activity, with even infrastructure, which has been an area of growth in past surveys, unable to retain momentum against the Q1 headwinds.

A recent joint webinar between FIS and Recolight looked at the drive to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment is rapidly shifting beyond operational energy performance and towards the carbon embodied within the products and materials used to create buildings.

EPDs: The foundation of carbon measurement

Historically, the construction industry has focused on operational carbon, emissions from heating, cooling, lighting and powering buildings. However, as buildings become more efficient and the UK’s electricity grid continues to decarbonise, embodied carbon is becoming an increasingly significant part of a building’s total impact.

Flavie Lowres who has a dual role of Sustainability Champion for FIS and Recolight explained:

“As buildings become more energy efficient, the grid decarbonises, and buildings become less dependent on gas, the proportion of operational and embodied carbon will change. Therefore, it is important that we start to look at embodied carbon emissions as well.”

Embodied carbon covers emissions generated throughout a product’s lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing through transport, installation, maintenance and end-of-life disposal.

Central to this transition is the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).  Flavie described an EPD as:

“An independently verified and registered document, based on a Life Cycle Assessment that provides transparent and comparable information on the environmental impact across a product lifecycle assessment.”

While creating an EPD requires investment, manufacturers do not necessarily need an EPD for every individual product.

As Flavie noted:

“You don’t have to worry about doing one EPD for every single permutation of your products.”   Using product families and scaling methodologies can often provide a practical route to delivering meaningful environmental data without excessive cost.

Carbon budgets are becoming standard practice

One of the most striking messages from the webinar was how quickly embodied carbon is becoming embedded in mainstream design processes.

Rachel Hoolahan, from architectural practice Orms, explained that carbon budgets are now increasingly being set at the earliest design stages and used throughout project development.

“When we start with carbon, we’re thinking about it from the very start of any project.”  She described how carbon is now treated much like project finances:

“We have a base budget set and then a developing budget, where we’re looking to reduce carbon in key areas.”

Later in the discussion, she confirmed how widespread the practice has become within her practice:

“All of our projects, no matter how big or small, have a carbon budget at this point.”

From sustainability claims to evidence

For contractors, the demand for reliable environmental data is growing rapidly.

James Upstill-Goddard  from Willmott Dixon explaines that the sector is moving beyond sustainability marketing claims. “There’s been a shift from claims to evidence.”

He highlighted how EPDs help provide confidence in the environmental performance being reported to clients:

“It enables us to move more from making generic assumptions about how a product or building will perform to using product-specific data.”

The value of EPDs, he explained, extends beyond measurement:

“EPDs help us move from just reporting carbon to carbon reduction – actually being able to do something with it.”

Frameworks are driving market demand

James also highlighted the growing influence of public sector procurement frameworks in accelerating embodied carbon measurement.  He noted that the Department for Education’s latest framework represents a significant step change.

“The DfE expect that 85% by mass of all materials and products in that school will have an EPD available.”

He described this as:

“A huge undertaking … but that’s clearly where the industry is going.”

As more frameworks and clients adopt similar requirements, manufacturers able to provide verified environmental data will be better positioned to compete.

What does this mean for FIS members?

The Q&A helped underpin why this is important for FIS members, particularly those supplying fit-out and interiors products, the importance of embodied carbon is only increasing.

Ian McIlwee highlighted how fit-out’s relatively short replacement cycles make the issue particularly relevant:

“We fit out such a fast cycle. Every five, every seven years, we’re stripping stuff out. We’ve got to be thinking longer term about the decisions that we’re making.”

At the same time, speakers stressed that EPDs should not become a barrier to innovation.

Rachel cautioned against excluding products solely because they lack an EPD:

“The EPD is not the be all and end all.”   Whilst it provides the best framework, she added:

“I certainly don’t want to stifle innovation.” 

James reminded agreed, whilst recognising the benefit of consistency, he reflected, the goal is to understand real impacts and support better decisions in the most consistent way possible.

Looking beyond carbon

The discussion also touched on the next stage of environmental assessment.

Rachel suggested that future attention will increasingly focus on wider ecological impacts beyond carbon alone:

“We’ve been in a carbon-blinkered world for the past couple of years.”

She highlighted growing interest in embodied ecological impact, including factors such as water consumption, pollution and biodiversity.

Circularity was another recurring theme. Encouraging manufacturers to think beyond product sales, Rachel urged businesses to consider reuse and refurbishment models:

“Circularity is a huge growing piece.”

The direction of travel is clear

The overall message from the webinar was that embodied carbon is rapidly becoming a key metric alongside cost, programme and quality.  Public sector frameworks, client requirements and emerging standards are all pushing the industry towards greater transparency.

For manufacturers and suppliers, environmental data is increasingly becoming part of market access. For designers and contractors, it is becoming essential for informed decision-making.

As James concluded:

“The real value in EPDs is when the important decisions are made.”

For FIS members, now is the time to engage with embodied carbon, understand the role of EPDs and prepare for a market where verified environmental performance is no longer optional, but expected.

If you want to view the webinar click here

If you want to find out more about EPDs, you can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here.

CT 2016: Withdrawal and Transitionary Period Explained…

The JCT 2016 Edition of contracts has been withdrawn but JCT 2016 contracts are still available to buy under a ‘transitionary period’ until the end of 2026.

What does this mean?

As of 31 March 2026, the JCT 2016 Edition was officially withdrawn, superseded by the current JCT 2024 Edition. This means that the JCT 2016 Edition is now out of date.

For new projects, or schemes yet to go out for tender, JCT recommends using contracts from the JCT 2024 Edition at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that your contract is up to date with current legislation, compliance, and best practice.

What about the transitionary period?

JCT recognises that, whilst the 2016 Edition was withdrawn on 31 March, projects will have just started, or be in progress, on 2016 contracts. As well as the choice of main contract at Tier-1, it has a knock-on effect throughout the supply chain at Tier-2 and 3, where if a JCT 2016 main contract is used, the corresponding JCT 2016 sub-contracts will also need to be adopted.

Therefore, the transitionary period – set until 31 December 2026 – is designed to assist the industry to complete projects that have already started, or have been tendered on, JCT 2016 contracts.

What are your options?

JCT 2016 contracts will continue to be made available in hardcopy only whilst stocks last, and then digitally only thereafter – via JCT On Demand or JCT Construct – until the end of the transitionary period.

JCT recommends that:

If your choice of procurement route/main contract has yet to be decided, you use contracts from the 2024 Edition.

If you do require 2016 Edition contracts (main contracts or sub-contracts) for your project, you purchase them and any ancillary documents as soon as possible, to make sure you have the required documents before the end of the transitionary period.

Once the transitionary period is over, JCT 2016 contracts will no longer be available to buy in any format. Subscribers to the JCT Construct service will be able to replicate and reuse contracts based on their existing 2016 boilerplates to start new projects but will not be able to start any new projects based on blank 2016 templates.

Source: JCT