by Clair Mooney | 28 Sep, 2023 | Building Safety Act
The Building Safety Act has introduced a range of changes to the way buildings in the UK are designed, constructed and maintained, with the aim of improving safety and reducing the risk of fire and other hazards. Compliance with these changes will require a range of behavioural and cultural changes across the construction industry.
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia is taking part in Selo’s Building. Better. seminar which will focus on the behavioural and cultural changes needed in order to comply, and embrace the Building Safety Act within your businesses.
This half day event, starting at 08:15, is taking place on 13 October in Westminster. You can register your interest to attend here.
Joe will be joined by industry-leading speakers who will share information on the Gateway Process, design and procurement requirements and recommendations for manufacturers.
For more information visit https://selo.global/the-building-safety-act-seminar/
by Clair Mooney | 27 Sep, 2023 | Sustainability
Following the Prime Minister’s speech on 20 September on climate policies, the Construction Products Association has welcomed that the ambition of Net Zero by 2050 has not changed; indeed, most policies remain unchanged. The CPA is urging the Government to continue to incentivise energy efficiency measures in the existing housing stock and in new homes as this will reduce household energy bills, keep people warmer, make the country more energy secure, provide jobs across the country, and cut carbon emissions.
The Prime Minister’s view is that the debate on the actions needed to deliver the decarbonisation targets must be pragmatic and realistic, and based on a sound understanding of the technical challenges, economic costs, and capacity to deliver. Too often to raise such issues is to be dismissed as lacking vision.
Over the years, there have been many unrealistic targets announced based on aspiration rather than practicality, without the necessary support across all areas to reach the targets and what the full costs would be and to whom. Such mistakes have impacted UK construction as well, and therefore needs to be much greater vetting, transparency and engagement with industry and with the public of the steps required to deliver the ambitions.
With all this in mind, the CPA supports calls from across the wider UK manufacturing industry for the development of a new Industrial Strategy that is both technically and economically competent, and knowledgeable of the capacity needed. This will help provide government and businesses with the long-term direction and certainty required – including around decarbonisation targets – to avoid altering policies and to instead consistently drive investment, innovation and solutions.
This consistency of approach with regards to industrial policy is desperately lacking from the UK government and is essential to helping drive growth for the UK and ensuring the country keeps on track to meet its Net Zero commitments. It will also help secure UK manufacturing’s international competitiveness as the race for the green jobs and technology of the future ramps up.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Sep, 2023 | Sustainability
The Government recently announced that it would delay the introduction of the producer EPR payments for one year and these will not now apply until October 2025. However, companies will still be required to report and submit their packaging data for 2023. See information here.
This extension provides the Government an opportunity to gather further feedback on the scheme and as such Defra has issued a new Call for Evidence consultation seeking feedback from industry on the operability of the proposed implementation arrangements. The deadline for comments is 9 October 2023. The 28 page consultation document can be downloaded here. (the main pages are 11-26). FIS will issue a response. If you would like to be involved in the discussion, please contact Flavie Lowres.
Note that the EPR Regulatory Position Statement’s do not impact any obligations your company may have under The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (legislation.gov.uk) and if obligated under these regulations it will still be necessary to continue to comply throughout 2024.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Sep, 2023 | Skills
FIS is looking for employers to offer work trials or employment to candidates that are currently taking part in Skills Bootcamps.
We are currently seeking employers that are:
- Based in the London or West Midlands area that has vacancies for Drylining, Carpentry or Bricklaying contractors
- Are happy to offer a two- week work trial on completion of the Bootcamp
- Can provide an interview at the end of the work trial for a term of no less than 12 weeks
Skills Bootcamps are a Department for Education (DfE) initiative which has been developed in partnership with local employers, training providers and local authorities to help fill skills gaps and vacancies in their areas.
The Skills Bootcamps for construction are open to anyone aged 19 and over, looking to change sectors or progress in their current industry. They offer flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks and include classroom-based, on-the-job and short courses. All Bootcamp participants are guaranteed a job interview at the end of the course.
FIS member Construction Helpline are offering government funded Skills Bootcamps which are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
To get involved in the Skills Bootcamps in your region, contact beenanana@thefis.org
Further information is available at Free Government Funded Skills Bootcamps in Drylining, Bricklaying, Carpentry & Occupational work Supervision. Apply now for free with Construction Helpline
by Clair Mooney | 21 Sep, 2023 | Building Safety Act, Technical
CROSS Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK) are the body used by Government to report safety issues to ensure information about safety issues in construction are shared with the sector. They recently published the following report.
Following numerous compartmentation surveys in residential flats, inadequate and incomplete fire stopping of cables and services have been regularly observed as they pass through compartment walls. These appear to be either as part of the initial build or following subsequent installations after premises occupation.
Inadequate fire stopping around cables and other penetrations
FIS together with ASFP and GPDA have developed a labelling initiative to ensure that follow on trades and engineers installing cables don’t simply pass their services through the compartment wall before investing how to carry out the work compliantly.
This link will take you to a short article, written by FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia, How do we ensure that fire walls forming compartmentation don’t fail because additional cables and pipes are installed through the wall post occupancy
More information on the Fire Labelling Scheme is available here: Fire Labelling
The artwork for the labels can be downloaded from https://www.thefis.org/fis-fire-tape-2022-no-crops/
by Clair Mooney | 21 Sep, 2023 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed
The next phase of the new Building Safety Regime will come into effect from 1 October and will affect
all new buildings.
For new Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will be the Building Control Body, with transitional arrangements allowing projects already underway to continue to completion under the current regulatory framework. All members through the supply chain should make sure they are clear which requirements will apply to their projects from 1 October and take the necessary steps to comply with them.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has also released two more sets of regulations. The Building Safety Act 2022 (Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2023 bring into force a number of provisions of the Building Safety Act, including making the BSR the Building Control Body for HRBs, whilst The Building Act 1984 (Commencement No. 3) (England) Order 2023 amends section 33 of the Building Act 1984 to allow the building control authority to either conduct tests of a building to ascertain whether the work would contravene Building Regulations or require the owner or occupier of the building to do so.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Sep, 2023 | Main News Feed
The JTC has highlighted tax issues that members should be aware of, including:
- Advisory fuel rates from 1 September 2023
- VAT and late payment interest
- Tax avoidance schemes
- Low emission zones – tax deductible for self employed or sole traders
- Disposing of plant and machinery
The next big date for announcements will be 22 November following the Autumn Statement.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Sep, 2023 | Contractual and Legal, Lens Blog, Main News Feed
FIS Consultant Len Bunton talks about the work that he carries out for members, and summarises some guidance that will help member organisations to improve cash flow within their organisation.
The assistance we provide usually starts with a phone call from a member organisation who has some sort of payment problem, and the answer is to respond quickly and to be provided with relevant communications and try to understand why the member is not being paid. The second stage of that would be to endeavor to have a discussion with the other party involved, and to get their side of the position and to see if there can be some sort of compromise that will allow the member to be paid.
These monthly Blogs are designed to help FIS Members avoid common traps and build on our focus on collective experience. They share ideas about improving the commercial management of your contracts. In other words, instilling best practice into the way FIS members run and manage their business. What I have endeavored to suggest is ways to ensure you get paid on time, and what you are due.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Sep, 2023 | Skills
Did you know you can apply for The Skills and Training Fund in advance of any planned training activities?
To be eligible, you must
- You are a CITB-registered employer and up to date with your Levy Returns
- You have up to 99 directly employed staff (in addition to yourself/the business owner)
- Any previous project paid for by the Fund has been signed off as complete.
How much can you apply for:
- Employers with CIS only (no PAYE) can receive up to £2,500.
- Employers with 1 to 49 directly employed staff can receive up to £5,000.
- Employers with 50 to 74 directly employed staff can receive up to £7,500.
- Employers with 75 to 99 directly employed staff can receive up to £10,000.
For further information, please contact Marie Flinter: email marieflinter@thefis.org or mobile 07799 903 103.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Sep, 2023 | Market data
The ‘Regional Construction Hotspots in Great Britain 2023’ report from Barbour ABI and the CPA provides a regional analysis of construction contract awards to signal near-term trends in construction that aren’t always reflected in data at a national level. By analysing the value of contracts awarded last year in local authority regions across the residential, infrastructure and commercial sectors, the report identifies ‘hotspots’ and ‘coldspots’ as pockets of growth or contraction over the next 6-24 months. The report is available now to members, which can be access here.
by Clair Mooney | 11 Sep, 2023 | Sustainability
The construction industry is a big contributor of carbon emissions. The industry is also a big consumer of resources – a staggering 60 million tonnes of waste is generated per year. While 90% of wastes are recycled, much gets down cycled as low value applications. The fit-out industry is fast paced and commercial buildings often get refitted every 5-7 years. With every refit, products that are still within their specified service life are disposed of with little consideration for a potential new life.
As we are coming out of the summer, having once again beaten records temperatures around the globe, it is time that we start to embrace new approaches to reduce carbon emissions quickly. Over the last two years FIS has been working with its members to find ways to reduce carbon emissions. Getting out of the take, make, use, dispose cycle and to change the way we operate are becoming more important than ever.
Through this survey, we would like to get your views on whether we can change some of the current practices and we would like to understand what barriers are still in place to enable change. We would be very happy to discuss the questions further if you would like to share more thoughts.
by Clair Mooney | 11 Sep, 2023 | Labour, Skills
The City of London Corporation has released a new report urging investment in workers to meet the growing demand for green jobs and skills in decarbonising the city’s commercial buildings.
The report highlights a need for a skilled and diverse workforce capable of constructing, retrofitting, and managing sustainable buildings. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicts a surge in construction labor demand in Central London, reaching over a quarter of a million by 2027. Additionally, there’s an annual demand for around 35,000 non-construction professionals in the built environment sector.
Over 300 organisations have joined the ‘Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce,’ including designers, construction firms, and education providers. The taskforce emphasises the urgency of addressing the growing demand for sustainable commercial buildings.
The report recommends reforming the Apprenticeship Levy and s106 policies to match the demand for skilled workers. The current inflexibility of the Apprenticeship Levy and inconsistencies in s106 policies have raised concerns within the sector.
There are six main recommendations for government, training providers and the wider industry to address collectively. These include:
- Developing new entry-level sustainability training, apprenticeships and upskilling courses for emerging job roles;
- Working with government to set more ambitious green skills strategies for the built environment;
- Invest in attracting diverse candidates to a wider spectrum of sustainable roles across the built environment;
- Creating an easily accessible way to collect and share data on the pipeline of projects and workforce skills shortages, so that the industry can prepare for the emerging skills needs;
- Built environment organisations should develop an Environmental Social Governance (ESG) strategy to support sustainability operations, retrofit, and skills training;
- Promote the sector’s role in addressing climate change, with wide-ranging career pathways and diverse role models through positive PR and engagement with schools.
Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transport Committee, Shravan Joshi, said:
“The built environment is critical in supporting central London’s transition to a more sustainable economy. Buildings have substantial carbon footprints, so reducing emissions in the sector will be pivotal for addressing climate change. Ensuring technical education, such as through apprenticeships, offers a range of flexible training routes towards new jobs, which will be essential to delivering on sustainability ambitions.
“I would like to personally invite industry representatives to join the Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce, read the new report and to follow the six recommendations to help us build a more sustainable built environment workforce and reshape the sector.”
The Skills for a Sustainable Skyline taskforce has committed to sustained engagement with the government to promote a reformed Apprenticeship Levy and s106 policy, that is more flexible and meets the needs of employers. It will also promote the delivery of a new National Retrofit and Green Skills Strategy for commercial developments. It will also convene with employers, owners, leaseholders, local government and training providers to explore how they can work collaboratively to promote workforce upskilling, expansion and diversification.
by Clair Mooney | 6 Sep, 2023 | Building Safety Act
by Clair Mooney | 5 Sep, 2023 | Sustainability
With mounting pressure on the built environment sector to reduce embodied as well as operational carbon emissions, the industry needs to get to grips with how circular economy practices, such as reuse, can provide solutions. The Alliance of Sustainable Building Products (ASBP) is supporting the sector to share knowledge and drive action through the relaunch of its Reuse Now campaign and as part of that its upcoming Reuse Summit event (18 October) which is being hosted in conjunction with FIS.
Aim of the Reuse Now campaign
The aim of the campaign is to increase uptake of the reuse of construction products and materials through:
- Practical focus by exploring supply chain barriers and develop solutions
- Open dialogue and sharing of knowledge between reuse material donors/recipients and wider ecosystem to enable greater uptake
- Learn from what others have done to progress quickly (not everyone doing their own research)
Through connecting and collaborating with others active in the space we want the ASBP to be the ‘go-to’ place for practical guidance and information on the reuse of materials and products in construction.
Supporting the campaign
The ASBP is looking for forward thinking organisations to get involved and sponsor the Reuse Now Campaign and Reuse Summit to enable this work. Benefits of being involved with the Reuse Now campaign include:
- knowledge exchange and learning
- thought leadership opportunities and leading by example
- being associated with sector best practice
- and being able to input into and have access to research and practical outputs to support your organisation – and the industry – to achieve its Circular Economy and Net Zero Carbon targets.
Get in touch
Please get in touch with debbie.ward@asbp.org.uk or larry@asbp.org.uk if you are interested in sponsoring the Reuse Now campaign or have any questions about our work in this area.
by Clair Mooney | 31 Aug, 2023 | Market data
The CPA’s latest Construction Trade Survey for 2023 Q2 showed a mixed view on activity across the construction supply chain. Here are some key findings from the latest survey:
Output & Sales: A mixed quarter for product sales, workloads growth for SME contractors and chartered surveyors was split by sector of activity.
Expectations: Manufacturers’ expectations were mixed, new orders increased for civil engineering contractors, SME enquiries increased overall, but growth was driven by a sole sector.
Costs and Constraints: Costs moderated in Q2 but inflation remained broad-based, with issues related to finance and labour availability rising in prominence.
by Clair Mooney | 31 Aug, 2023 | Membership
The FIS Scottish Awards recognise and celebrate the high levels of craftsmanship in the finishes and interiors sector carried out in Scotland. After visiting all projects entered, we are excited to announce that our judges have determined their shortlist.
The standard of entries into this year’s Awards was extremely high, so congratulations to all companies that entered.
Interior Fit Out Shortlist
Scotwood Interiors – Kin & Carta, Edinburgh
Veitchi Interiors – Boclair Academy, Glasgow
Clansman Interiors – Arnold Clark, Glasgow
Specialist Installation shortlist – sponsored by Nevill Long
D V McColl – National Robotarium, Edinburgh
Indeglas – Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow
Veitchi Interiors – Boclair Academy, Glasgow
Allied Interiors Scotland – NMIS, Glasgow
The winners in each category, along with the architect or interior designer of the winning project, will be announced in front of a packed audience at the FIS Scottish Awards Lunch on 15 September at The Voco Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.
The event will also see the announcement of the Apprentice of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
by Clair Mooney | 29 Aug, 2023 | Building Safety Act
The Building Safety Act 2022 (applicable to England and Wales) introduces the most significant changes for the construction industry in the past four decades. The CPA has been engaging with government for several years on this legislation. CPA has published two papers to offer a summary and guidance to members around key aspects of the Act:
- The first is a summary and guidance especially as it pertains to duties, obligations and regulations now facing members. Click here to read more.
- The second offers guidance especially as it pertains to liabilities now facing members. Click here to read more.
by Clair Mooney | 8 Aug, 2023 | Market data
The Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey for 2023 Q2 showed a continued split in performance in the construction product manufacturing industry. Heavy side manufacturers’ sales decreased for a fourth consecutive quarter whereas sales from light side producers registered another quarterly increase, adding to a run of growth that began in 2020 Q3. Forward-looking sales expectations suggest these varied fortunes will persist over the next 12 months.
Rebecca Larkin, CPA Head of Construction Research said:
“The mixed fortunes for heavy side and light side sales growth perfectly illustrates the areas of strength and weakness that are appearing in construction right now. Heavy side sales have no doubt been hindered by the sharp slowdown in new house building and hold-ups in starting large new build commercial and factories projects.”
by Clair Mooney | 8 Aug, 2023 | Main News Feed
This time of year brings open consultations on the changes the government may introduce next year. The next big thing coming in our direction from the Treasury is a raft of new proposals relating to the use of umbrella companies. If you use umbrella companies, we recommend having a look at the consultation document and adding your voice to the discussion.The consultation is open until 29 August.
In other tax news:
- HMRC has confirmed that the CIS helpline remains open
- There is an online guide to check if you can correct a mistake in your VAT return
- National Insurance numbers can now be saved to and downloaded from the iPhone Apple Wallet
- Ensure you have the correct classification for diesel cars
Lastly on 18 July, the government released draft legislation for next year’s Finance Bill and introduced consultations on future tax policy changes. These inlcude:
- Companies: Consultation on merging R&D Tax Reliefs into a single scheme.
- Plastic Packaging Tax: consultation on using a mass balance approach to determine the amount of chemically recycled plastic in packaging.
Full details on all of the above, plus more is available exclusively to FIS members, here.
by Clair Mooney | 8 Aug, 2023 | Membership
Entry is now open for the 2024 FIS Innovation Awards.
Now in their second year, the Innovation Awards are open to all companies operating in the finishes and interiors sector and focus on ideas that help support improvements in efficiency, productivity, performance, quality or perception of the finishes and interiors sector.
The Award categories are:
- Product Innovation – Fit-Out
- Product Innovation – FF&E
- Digital Innovation
- Sustainable Innovation
There will also be an overall Innovation of the Year. This will be chosen live by the audience during the awards ceremoney from the winners of the above four categories.
The awards will be judged by a panel of experts and winners will be announced at the FIS Conference, which is taking place during the Workspace Design Show in February 2024.
Entry will close on 31 October 2023. For more information and to enter click here.
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said:
“There remains a perception that construction is not an innovative sector, our aim with these awards is to debunk this myth and celebrate innovation in our sector across a number of categories. We are looking for innovation that meets a need in the sector and has evidence of adoption or planned use in a commercial environment. So, the successful exploitation of new ideas and bringing creative ideas to life.”
Joe Cilia, FIS Technical Director, added:
“I can think of at least four products which I have seen in the last few years that have been developed by both large and small
organisations based on need to improve quality, address sustainability or save time and I am looking forward to these awards
to be the showcase they need to get to a wider audience.”
The FIS Conference will be a two-day programme on 27-28 February at the Business Design Centre in London. There will be several 1-hour workshops each day, with the winners of the Innovation Awards announced at the Awards Ceremony on 27 February.
More information on the Conference will be available shortly.
