FIS has been working with contractors in membership to better understand how the failures of the design process and the way in which design responsibility is novated presents unreasonable levels of risk to the specialist drylining contractor. When the design of drylining packages land with the specialist subcontractor with no controls placed on the scope of the package or competence requirements, the contractor will often be asked to take on risks that cannot be adequately priced or managed.  Working with members of our Drylining Working Group, FIS has been working on a number of interventions that provide meaningful controls in these circumstances:

• We have been working on improving the coverage of our quality control checklists to include design and tender stages that help members follow a more robust process. These checklists are available on the FIS website and are being regularly updated.
• In Summer this year, we published a comprehensive competence framework for Drylining design engineers that makes it easier for contractors appointing design expertise (either in-house or using consultants) to demonstrate competence and place further controls on the exposure to design risk.
• Design code of practice documents are in advanced draft both for the drylining design package and separately for the overall fit-out process. These documents will provide much needed standardisation to the design process that includes the need for a design responsibility matrix, including critical timelines for appointment, gateways that ensure risks are managed at crucial points throughout RIBA stages 3 and 4 that are typically overlooked and controls to highlight process and further reduce risk around complex design interfaces that are not normally understood by principal designers.

This subject is explored in more detail the upcoming issue of SpecFinish

Volumes 1 and 2 of Approved Document B were republished this week by Government to include 2029 amendments.

Changes are based on the response to consultations on sprinklers in care homes; removal of national classifications and second staircases from 2022 to 2024, and the more recent consultation that concluded in July this year.

Withdrawal of the outdated national classes for reaction to fire (BS 476) is already concluded and the subsequent withdrawal of the remaining BS 476 fire testing standards for fire resistance will be concluded in September of 2029 ending a long period of dual specification.

The latest versions of Approved Document B can be accessed and downloaded using the links below:

Volume 1: Dwellings

Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings

Summary of 2029 amendments

If you have any questions about these changes and how they might impact your business, please contact our Technical Director jamesparlour@thefis.org

With the Milburn report highlighting that “too many young people now leave full‐time education with little or no direct exposure to working environments”, one of the best ways to help the next generation take that first step from the world of education into the world of work is by getting involved in Open Doors. 2027 will see a new, more flexible format to enable events to take place throughout next March, providing more opportunities for sites and workplaces to take part and showcase what our industry has to offer.

Open Doors has a proven track record, with 81% of visitors in 2026 stating they would be more likely to consider a career in construction and a number of them going onto secure a role within the industry. In addition to recruitment, the benefits of getting involved include developing relationships with local schools and colleges and sourcing candidates for work experience and placements.

Events for Open Doors 2027 can be listed on the Open Doors website from Monday 5 October, and further information can be found in Build UK’s latest Open Doors update.

The Government has published its latest progress report on implementing the recommendations from the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It confirms that another nine of the 58 recommendations have been completed, making 28 in total, with all of them expected to be implemented by the end of 2029 including those that require legislation.

The latest progress report, delivered by new Building Safety Minister Baroness Blake of Leeds CBE, highlights that the Building Advisory Committee and Fire Safety Working Group are now both fully operational and that £13 million has been made available to UK higher education institutions to help develop the next generation of fire engineering professionals. The Interim Chief Construction Adviser, Thouria Istephan, has also published a final report ahead of the end of her 12‐month term, setting out how she has supported building safety reform and the development of the permanent Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser role.

With a number of the Inquiry’s recommendations focused on reforming building control, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to all local authorities highlighting plans to strengthen local building control services, which include new funding to address workforce shortages and reforms to how local authorities charge for building control work.

The skills shortage in the Finishes and Interiors Sector isn’t going away and addressing it will take a more joined-up, practical approach across our industry. That’s exactly what we’re working to deliver.

FIS has partnered with The Skills Centre to run a series of Skills Bootcamps designed to produce job-ready individuals who are trained, motivated, and ready to start work immediately.

Each candidate completes an intensive four-week programme, developed with industry input, combining hands-on training with the core practical skills required for dry lining and interior fit-out roles.

How you can get involved

We’re now looking for employers to support the next stage by helping these candidates transition into the workplace. You’ll be fully supported in structuring your involvement.

We’re seeking employers who can offer:

• Interviews
• Two-week work placements
• Job opportunities

What you’ll gain

• Early access to motivated, entry-level talent with relevant training
• A direct pipeline into your workforce
• Support in meeting social value and local employment commitments

When

You can visit and get involved during the following dates:

• 12 – 16 October at the Build East Skills Centre – Bassett Lane, Stratford, London, E9 5EN

This is a great opportunity to see the training in action, understand the process, and meet potential future employees.

We’re aiming to roll this model out more widely across the UK but its success depends on industry engagement.

If not you, who?

We need to build the workforce our sector needs – together.

If you’re interested in attending, or would like to learn more, please contact Marie at FIS marieflinter@thefis.org

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published a new remediation toolkit to support better quality remediation applications at Gateway Two.

The toolkit highlights common issues seen in remediation applications and sets out practical steps for applicants to follow before submitting an application to make sure all the required information is included.

You can access the toolkit here.

An Industry Task and Finish Group convened by CLC Building Safety Group, Portfolio 4: Building Occupation and industry technical experts BIM in Asset Management are pleased to announce the publication of their guidance regarding the Occupied Sector’s expectations for accurate, trustworthy and complete packages of building information on completion of all projects that are deemed construction work or building work.

The Guidance relates to delivery of all building related information on completion of all projects, regardless of size or complexity, ie: whether regarding a large new build development, a refurb/retrofit or small replacement project. It relates to all types of building, both commercial and residential.

In excess of 100 representatives (including FIS) contributed to the document, reaching consensus on some detailed recommendations to provide guidance and assistance, in particular to Construction Clients and their supply chain in order to be able to deliver the quality of information now needed on conclusion of any project, by those operating buildings for their, perhaps 50 years + operational life.

The guidance will help owners and their suppliers to operate buildings with greater safety and more efficiently and effectively. Users of the guide are anticipated to include for example  [Principal] Accountable Persons, Building Control officers, Managing Agents, Building and Facility Managers and of course Residents. Accurate and complete building information is, in itself, regarded as a valuable asset to financiers, insurers and regulators. Lack of good building information is now being seen as a potential negative influence in value and could hinder future transactions.

It provides those who will be the recipients of the information clear guidance on specifying what they will need and what they should and should not accept; and sets out expectations on those providing the information to inform and support their client in achieving an appropriate hand-over of quality assured and trustworthy building information before concluding any project.

Public Consultation opened on 2 September 2026 and will close midday 16 October 2026.

The widest possible commentary is requested from stakeholders involved in design, construction and the occupied phases of a buildings’ lifecycle. In order to provide your views and take part in this consultation please go to: https://www.bim-in-am.com/as-built/.

Chair of the T&F Group Anthony Taylor stated

“This a significant contribution to getting the right information to the right person at the right time  – effectively setting out expectations across the built environment to deliver accurate and trustworthy information to those who operate the buildings at the end of each and every project. We believe this will also support the accuracy needed for collation of accessible and accurate electronic information. The work will continue to determine ‘How’ can information of the appropriate quality and content be collated, and by whom” He added “ if anyone wishes to offer their expertise and insight to phase two of this work – please notify us via the consultation process and ensure you provide a contact email for us to respond”.

From 1 October 2026, liability for right to work checks will be extended to include sub‐contractors, agency workers, and casual and temporary workers, and the Government has published guidance setting out what employers need to do to be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’ against extended liability if found to be employing someone illegally.

Under the new guidance, employers must have the following in place for workers who they are not in a direct contractual relationship with

• Contractual terms and conditions – Before work commences, there must be a written statement in place incorporating a number of specific terms and conditions, which include requiring the other party to carry out prescribed right to work checks on any individual employed and prohibiting further sub-contracting of the work without prior written consent.
• Substitution controls – Where a contract permits substitution, processes must be in place to ensure that a prescribed right to work check is carried out on any substitute before work takes place.
• Identity verification – There must be proportionate systems to ensure that the individual carrying out the work is the same individual on whom a right to work check has been conducted, which may include workplace passes, facial recognition technology or biometric systems.

There are a number of options available for ensuring individuals are legally entitled to work in the UK, and employers conducting right to work checks in accordance with the guidance will receive a statutory excuse, which protects them from liability in the event that 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 Building Safety Regular (BSR) has published its latest data for the period 8 June to 31 August 2026. The data shows that a total of 333 decisions were made across all valid Gateway Two applications with an approval rate of 84%. However, 174 applications (34% of the number received) were deemed invalid or withdrawn in the same 12‐week period.

The BSR highlights a ‘steady increase’ in new build applications in August, with the number expected to rise again this month ahead of the Building Safety Levy coming into operation on 1 October 2026. A year on from the establishment of the Innovation Unit, the median approval time for applications has reduced from 43 weeks to 22 weeks.

There are currently 184 live ‘major change’ requests. 42% are new build, 36% are Category A and B, 6% are remediation, 14% are NHS, and 2% 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 53 Gateway Three applications during the last 12 weeks. There were 16 decisions made in an average time of 20 weeks with an approval rate of 88%. No new build projects that have been through Gateway Two have yet reached Gateway Three, and this will be focus of the discussion at the next Build UK Building Safety call on Tuesday 29 September

As the Commercial Payments Bill makes its final stand in the House of Lords, FIS looks at progress and what we all need to do next to ensure that we get the reform we’ve been promised and how you can help.

Quick recap on what the Commercial Payments Bill is and how it is progressing?

The Commercial Payments Bill is the government’s plan to fix late payment in construction. The Bill will set in law a legal cap on payment periods, that statutory interest must be paid and can’t be contracted away, and, the headline measure for our sector, phases out cash retentions altogether.

So far the good news from our perspective is that the Bill has rifled through Committee stages in the House of Lords with any opposition swept to one side.  The only significant change tightens the Bill by closing off a gap where public clients weren’t held to the same standard as private ones. There were also modest tweaks to widen the Small Business Commissioner’s cost-recovery powers (again a good thing) and add a duty to consult before setting financial penalty rules.  Vitally what hasn’t been watered down is that the retention ban itself, and its phase-out timetable, has been supported this far.

Quick recap on what the Commercial Payments Bill is and how it is progressing?

The Bill has its final Lords hearing next week. Assuming it clears that stage as expected, it moves to the Commons, likely in Q4 this year (hopefully October).  The Bill will then be subject to three debates in the House of Commons and at the end, if passed (Royal Assent and commencement), it becomes an Act – the Law!

Our hope is now that we can champion it through the Commons so that it becomes an Act within this Parliamentary cycle. Every amendment that reopens settled ground or adds complexity increases the risk of “ping-pong” (the Bill bouncing back and forth between the Commons and the Lords) which eats up the parliamentary time the Bill needs to actually pass. The single biggest risk to this reform right now isn’t opposition to its aims; it’s delay.

What we’re asking members to do

With the Bill heading to the Commons, it would be great for you to approach your MP and explain why this Bill is so important to construction.  We’ve prepared a briefing note  to help with this, which goes into the detail, but our advice is keep it simple.  The priorities are:

• Back the Bill.  Poor payment and retention abuse have been a cancer at the core of construction and drive adversarial relationships, undermine investment and destroy businesses and lives.
• Retentions don’t buy quality – competence, supervision and proper contracts do. Holding back cash doesn’t make anyone build better.
• Resist carve-outs that dilute the retention abolition. One exemption invites others, and SMEs end up carrying the risk.
• Close the loopholes. Staged payments and third-party arrangements are still lawful, be alert to any mechanism that quietly reintroduces a retention-by-another-name is caught.
• Hold the line on payment terms and interest. 30/60 days should be a floor, not a ceiling, applied at every tier and the Act needs to ensure interest reaches suppliers, not just exist on paper.
• Adjudication Reform is needed. Fast, affordable dispute resolution is critical and needs to be supported alongside the Act.
• Protect the timetable. Ask for a firm commencement date, not more consultation — and make sure the Commissioner is properly resourced (helped by the Bill’s own cost-recovery powers).
• Push for public sector leadership now. Nothing stops public clients dropping retentions today, the Construction Playbook could get ahead of the legislation and we’ve included a draft Retention Pledge in attached.
• Ensure the market is equipped to monitor impact.  Watching how the Construction Act changes and their guidance get implemented, so they aren’t quietly reinterpreted or gamed to preserve the old way of doing things.

The ambition of this Bill is a construction sector that pays fairly by default. That only happens if we stay engaged through Commons stages and well past Royal Assent.

How we can help

If you need help contacting your MP, reach out to FIS and we can support the process and if you do get an opportunity to discuss are more than happy to go through this briefing note with you and help you prepare, but the truth is that what they will really want to do is hear your story and why this is important to you.  The facts and figures help strengthen the case, but your story as their constituent is the critical part in getting them interested.

FIS Briefing Note available to download here.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is conducting a statutory review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) and is seeking views and information through two surveys. 

This review is separate from HSE’s recent consultation on proposed updates to CAR 2012, although evidence gathered through that consultation will also inform the review. 

HSE is seeking feedback to help build a better understanding of how the regulations work in practice, with two surveys currently open:

Identifying the Presence of Asbestos Before Work Commences

This survey is aimed at workers and businesses who work with or around asbestos, including construction workers and other trades whose work could disturb asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

HSE is seeking information on how asbestos risks are identified and managed in practice, including awareness of asbestos, access to information and training, and the challenges workers may face when undertaking work that could disturb ACMs.

Complete the survey: Review of CAR 2012: Identifying presence of asbestos before any work commences

Asbestos Surveyors

HSE is also seeking views from asbestos surveyors about their experiences of working under CAR 2012.

The survey looks at the practical challenges involved in identifying asbestos, carrying out surveys and providing information to support the effective management of asbestos risks.

Complete the survey: Review of CAR 2012: Asbestos Surveyors

Both surveys close at 11:59pm on 16 September 2026.

FIS is encouraging members to complete the relevant survey and share their experience to help inform HSE’s review and provide insight into how CAR 2012 operates in practice.

The draft Competence Framework for Specialist Furniture Technicians has now been published, with the wider industry invited to review the framework and contribute to the consultation.

Developed through an industry-led process, the framework aims to establish a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of specialist furniture technicians.

SITEWORKS has supported and coordinated the development of the framework, working alongside an industry steering group whose knowledge, experience and constructive challenge have helped shape the draft.

The next stage is to hear from the wider industry.

Businesses and individuals are being encouraged to share the draft framework within their organisations and professional networks, particularly with those involved in specialist furniture, procurement, project management, installation, training, design and construction.

Have your say

This is an important opportunity for the industry to help shape a framework that reflects the realities of specialist furniture work and the competencies required within the sector.

Industry professionals are encouraged to:

• READ the draft Competence Framework
• FEEDBACK through the consultation form
• JOIN the live Industry Q&A on Tuesday 15 September at 2pm

The consultation form also provides an opportunity to register for the Q&A session and submit questions in advance.

An industry-led framework

While SITEWORKS has been proud to help coordinate and lead the development process, the framework has been shaped by the expertise and experience of the industry steering group.

The consultation now provides an opportunity for the wider sector to build on that work, challenge the proposals where appropriate and ensure the final framework is relevant, practical and reflective of industry needs.

Everyone with an interest in specialist furniture and the development of competence within the sector is encouraged to get involved.

Review the framework, provide your feedback and register for the Industry Q&A here.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently reviewing the effectiveness of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022, including the extension of PPE requirements to so-called “Limb (b) workers”. This has regularly been raised as an issue for the finishes and interiors sector in H&S Working Group Meetings.  FIS is preparing a formal response on behalf of members. The consultation closes at 23.59 on 18 September 2026.

FIS is working on and intends to share a draft response next week, giving members time to comment before the deadline. In the meantime, the organisation wanted to flag some of the key themes emerging from our discussions and encourage members to pass relevant information to FIS and to respond directly with the HSE consultation.   The draft response focuses on a number of practical concerns that have been raised by members:

• Confusion over how “Limb (b) worker” status should be applied within common construction labour models.
• The disconnect between CIS tax status, employment law definitions and site compliance requirements.
• Uncertainty around who is responsible for providing PPE in labour-only subcontracting, gang labour and agency arrangements.
• Differing interpretations by clients, auditors and contractors, creating compliance risk and inconsistency.
• Questions around worker-owned PPE, particularly safety footwear.
• The interaction between respiratory protective equipment (RPE), facial hair policies and equality obligations.
• The need for practical, construction-specific guidance rather than reliance on broad legal definitions.

FIS is actively seeking to confirm member views and provide examples of specific situations where confusion has arisen, challenges encountered in the tender process related to costings for safety provision whether this is consistently reviewed, practical issues on site associated with the regulations, how you are currently interpreting the rules and any case studies related to cost of compliance.  Please send any comments or information to iainmcilwee@thefis.org

Further information on this subject and the challenge in interpretation is available via the April 2026 SpecFinish edition in an article written by lawyers DAC Beachcroft LLP and further information is available to FIS Members via FIS published guidance that was written when the regulations were introduced.

FIS is strongly encouraging businesses in the sector to respond directly to the HSE consultation, as individual business experiences will add weight to the sector’s collective voice.  The consultation can be viewed here –  Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations

Further details and the FIS draft response will be circulated next week with the FIS newsletter – if you wish to sign-up for the newsletter click here.

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a new government initiative designed to reduce electricity costs for thousands of manufacturing businesses across Great Britain.

From 2027, eligible manufacturers could save an estimated £35–£40 per MWh of electricity used, equivalent to around 3.5 – 4p/kWh, potentially reducing their total electricity bill by up to 25%.

FIS Associate Member Enexus Energy is here to help FIS members understand whether you may qualify and what you need to do next.  They have compiled the information below to answer any question and can offer members a free eleigibility check – simply email your full company name and SIC code to andy.radcliffe@enexusenergy.co.uk  or call 01253 966964 and they will support you through the process.

The Employment Rights Act represents the ‘biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’ and further measures will come into force next month. From 1 October, the time limit for an employee to make a claim to an Employment Tribunal will be increased from three to six months, with the following measures to be introduced from 30 October:

• Employers will be required to prevent harassment of their employees by third parties and to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment, replacing the current legal obligation to take ‘reasonable steps’. Ministers will also be given the power to bring into effect at a later date evidence‐based steps that employers must take to prevent sexual harassment.
• Employers will have to provide a written statement to workers informing them of their right to join a trade union. This statement must be provided at the start of a worker’s employment and at other prescribed times, and the Government is expected to publish further guidance on what it must include this month.

The Government has created a dedicated webpage with guidance and practical tools to support employers in meeting their obligations under the Act. This is being regularly updated as more measures are introduced throughout the rest of 2026 and 2027.

BSI committee B/544 has opened a consultation on the merger of BS 5234-1 and BS 5234-2 into a new standard BS 15234. 

BS 5234 parts 1 and 2 respectively constitute a code of practice and test methods for robustness for partitions and have remained unchanged since 1992. The standards cover most types of partitions including drylining, glazed partitions and moveable walls.

The consultation is open to all, and members are encouraged to respond with their thoughts before the deadline of 20 September using the link below. You can also volunteer through this consultation to be involved in the development process.

BS 15234: Partitions (including matching linings) – Strength and robustness – Specification

Please contact jamesparlour@thefis.org if you have questions about this consultation or would like to be more involved in the development process.