A government backed review has warned that nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), raising concerns about a potential ‘lost generation’.

The interim report, led by Alan Milburn, found that around one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds are currently disconnected from work and education. It argues that the rise in youth inactivity is being driven by a combination of worsening mental health, fewer entry level job opportunities and fragmented support services.

The review challenges the perception that young people are unwilling to work, highlighting that many NEET young people already hold qualifications, including GCSEs, Level 3 qualifications and degrees.

The report also points to significant changes in the labour market, with fewer apprenticeships and entry level roles available, alongside increasingly complex recruitment processes.

FIS was among the organisations that responded to the review’s call for evidence, contributing insights from the finishes and interiors sector on the challenges of attracting and supporting young people into employment and training.

The report’s findings will inform a second phase of work, which is expected to make recommendations on improving pathways into employment for young people across the UK.

The interim report can be found here Young people and work: interim report – GOV.UK

CITB has opened a consultation on the revised Solid Plastering National Occupational Standards (NOS). The updated standards are now available to view on the CITB website within the National Occupational Standards (NOS) section.

The consultation seeks feedback from across the construction and plastering industries to help ensure the standards continue to reflect current working practices, evolving skills requirements, and the future needs of the workforce.

Employers, training providers, and industry representatives are invited to review the proposed standards and share their views. Input from a broad range of stakeholders is vital to ensure the final standards accurately represent the sector and support the ongoing development of a competent and skilled workforce.

The consultation is now live, and if you are able to support please contact beenanana@thefis.org

The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) and CSCS Cards have today published a draft carding journey and case study, designed to help businesses and individuals within the drylining sector better understand potential future requirements for achieving industry-defined competence.

The Building Safety Act 2022 places a legal duty on individuals to be competent for their roles, defined as the appropriate Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB), with each sector responsible for defining competence for their occupations.

The Drylining case study is intended as a working example for industry of how a sector can move from defining competence to designing a carding journey. It also shows the direction of travel for skilled card renewals more widely, to potentially include additional elements such as Fire Safety training and Continuing Competency Development (CCD).

Working with Build UK and wider industry, FIS has mapped the SKEB needed to carry out drylining safely and competently and translated it into a Drylining Competency Framework, which includes a draft carding journey delivered through CSCS Cards, as the appropriate card scheme within the CSCS Alliance.

The latest draft of the journey sets out:

• Details of the three recognised skilled entry routes: Apprentice, Trainee and Experienced Worker.
• The qualifications, CITB Health, safety and environment test, Fire Safety in Buildings training and CCD expected on application and/or renewal.
• Additional checklist on how other sectors can follow Drylining’s example for their respective journeys

Final requirements remain in development between FIS, the relevant Standard Setting Bodies and Sector Representative Organisations ahead of the proposed implementation timeframe of December 2026. Where any future changes affect individuals already holding skilled drylining cards, CSCS Cards will communicate those changes directly and with appropriate notice.

Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive at FIS, said:

“Drylining is one of the largest occupations in finishes and interiors, and the safety performance of the buildings we all live and work in depends on it being done well, by qualified and trained operatives. Defining competence alongside industry experts and working alongside CSCS Cards to reflect those standards within the carding journey provides a strong example for other sectors to adopt as needed.”

Garry Mortimer, Executive Director of Operations at CSCS Cards, said:

“A CSCS card and the My CSCS app currently enable individuals to demonstrate they have the appropriate skills and training for their role, usually a qualification and a health and safety test.

“While these proposed changes are yet to be finalised – and cardholders don’t yet need to do anything different to their normal renewal practices – our cards and the app will soon adapt to reflect sector frameworks as necessary, and include a culture of the ongoing development of skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours.”

Alongside the case study, FIS and CSCS have published an 8-point Carding Journey Checklist for other Sector Representative Organisations preparing their own Routes to Competence.

The checklist covers defining SKEB, engaging early with the relevant card scheme, designing entry routes that support progression, setting meaningful renewal requirements, phased implementation and fair transitional arrangements.

FIS has led a coalition of specialist construction trade bodies in writing to Housing Minister Steve Reed OBE and the National Housing Bank, calling for urgent action to address growing liquidity pressures in the housing supply chain.

The letter, supported by organisations representing roofing, electrical works, carpentry, flooring, plumbing, groundworks and other key trades highlights mounting evidence that poor payment practices are creating systemic risk across housing delivery.  FIS research shows that specialist contractors are typically providing between 60–78 days of unsecured credit for completed work, with nearly one fifth of invoices paid more than 60 days late.  Retention release, despite recent positive steps from Government towards wholescale reform, continues to be inconsistent and often delayed.

The coalition warns that this hidden, unstructured credit, estimated to exceed £1 billion across the seven largest UK housebuilders on late and disputed payment alone, is undermining investment much needed investment in skills, productivity and capacity, and ultimately constraining the sector’s ability to deliver at scale.  To address the issue, FIS and the supporting organisations are urging Government to use the emerging National Housing Bank as a lever for change.  Specifically, putting forward proposals to link development finance to mechanisms that improve liquidity through the supply chain, including the use of digital payment systems that ringfence funds and improve payment certainty.

These systems, already in use in parts of the industry, can reduce insolvency risk, improve transparency, and support SME investment without increasing public spending.  The proposal aligns closely with wider Government policy on fair payment, procurement reform, and digitalisation, and offers a practical, finance-led intervention ahead of more comprehensive legislative reform on payment and retention.

FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:

“Responsible payment isn’t just a commercial issue – it is fundamental to delivery, skills and system resilience. If we want a housing market that can grow sustainably, we need a supply chain that is stable, has the means and confidence to invest in people and improvement.  It is also a human issue, our research into the Housing Sector identified that approaching 60% of specialists in our supply chain were worried about cash at least half the time”

FIS and its partners have requested a meeting with Ministers and officials to explore how these measures could be implemented proportionately to support a more resilient housing delivery system.

You can see a full copy of the letter here..

FIS has responded to the Government’s consultation on proportionality in the higher-risk building regime, backing the intent to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, but warning that reforms must stay firmly focused on risk.

While supporting proposals to reclassify certain in-flat and small-scale work to Category B, FIS stresses that location is not a proxy for risk. Even minor works can have serious implications where they affect fire compartmentation, fire stopping, or structural elements.

The response highlights concern that proposed thresholds based on time and workforce could create loopholes, encouraging work to be split artificially and leading to inconsistent oversight. Instead, FIS is clear – classification must be driven by the nature and impact of the work itself and a focus on competence in delivery.

FIS also calls out a key gap in the proposals associated with mixed-use buildings where similar works in residential and commercial units risk being treated differently despite comparable safety implications.

Crucially, FIS warns that without clear, consolidated guidance for clients, reforms could increase confusion, misclassification and risk-averse behaviour rather than reduce burden.   The response also raises a red flag on the “Golden Thread”, cautioning that reduced oversight must not lead to gaps in recording and managing safety-critical information.

FIS concludes that the proposals can deliver a better balance between proportionality and safety, but only if backed by clear definitions, practical guidance, and full recognition of both individual competence and organisational capability.

You can read the full response here.

FIS is inviting members to review and comment on our draft response to the Building Safety Regulator’s latest consultation on Category A and Category B works, ahead of a final submission at the end of May.

The consultation focuses on improving proportionality within the Higher-Risk Building (HRB) regime by reclassifying certain works and expanding the potential role of Competent Person Schemes (CPS). While the proposed reforms aim to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and speed up delivery, they also signal a significant shift in how compliance is managed.

The details of the consultation were presented at a workshop on 18th May.  The suggestion is to reclassify most in-flat works as Category B, this would mean many small projects inside flates, such as work on internal (non load bearing) partitions or fire door replacements are currently captured within Category A, creating a seemingly disproportionate levels of documentation and delay.  The consultation also seeks to recategorise smaller works in communal areas in a similar way. 

A number of critical issues were discussed that will form the core of the FIS response.

Mixed-use buildings – a key gap

One of the strongest themes from the meeting was the lack of consideration for mixed-use buildings.

The consultation currently focuses on residential units, but it was emphasised in the discussion that similar compartmented environments exist in other categories of space – including offices, retail spaces, and other commercial units. In these cases, comparable works could face very different regulatory treatment despite carrying similar levels of risk.

FIS is therefore questioning whether the current approach reflects modern building design and delivery, and is calling for greater consistency in how different unit types are treated. The response also highlights the need for clearer guidance to avoid confusion, particularly in projects where multiple uses sit within the same building.

Competence vs Capability – getting the balance right

Another key issue raised during the workshop was the shift towards competence-based regulation.

While members recognise the benefits of reducing reliance on prescriptive documentation, there is concern that current proposals place too much emphasis on individual competence, particularly through the expansion of self-certification schemes.

The FIS response stresses that successful delivery depends not only on skilled individuals, but also on organisational capability – including supervision, coordination, quality systems, and ongoing assurance. Existing certification schemes such as FIRAS and IFC were cited as providing this broader assurance, and members were clear that reforms should build on these frameworks rather than introducing new, overlapping accreditation requirements.

Guidance, clarity and practicality

Concerns about the practical implementation of the proposals, particularly around defining “small-scale” works using thresholds such as time and workforce. There was a strong view that these measures do not always align with real risk and could introduce further ambiguity.

As a result, FIS is calling for:

• Clearer, consolidated guidance
• Better alignment with real-world project delivery
• More practical examples to support consistent decision-making

Without this, there is a risk that the industry continues to default to Category A as a precaution, undermining the intended benefits of reform.

Have your say

FIS is now asking members to review the draft response and contribute any additional comments or examples from their own experience.

Deadline for comments: 26 May
Final submission: 28 May

This consultation represents a critical opportunity to shape how building safety regulation evolves, particularly for fit-out, refurbishment, and interiors work.

As Iain McIlwee commented during the session:

“This is about getting the balance right – reducing unnecessary burden without losing control of safety. But we need to make sure the system reflects how buildings are actually delivered.”

Members are encouraged to share feedback.  Details of the meeting and the draft response are available below.

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Ministers announce the introduction of legislation to tackle late payments and protect small businesses.

Small businesses will no longer be left chasing money they are already owed, as ministers today [Tuesday 19 May] introduce landmark legislation to end the scourge of late payments and back millions of sole traders, freelancers, and family firms across the country.

The Small Business Protections Bill (formally known as the Commercial Payments Bill) delivers the toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation – putting a clear duty on large firms to pay smaller suppliers on time and giving small businesses the certainty they need to keep investing, supporting jobs and growing their communities.

It comes as the Prime Minister and Business Secretary are expected to welcome small business owners to Downing Street to mark what leaders have called a “historic moment for small firms”.

Late payments close 38 businesses every single day because they are not paid on time. That’s the equivalent of 266 a week, and well over a thousand in any given month. For business owners, the impact is immediate and personal – forcing them to spend hours chasing invoices instead of running their businesses and putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.

The Bill fundamentally changes how businesses pay each other, putting an end to excessive delays and unfair practices that hit small firms hardest, through sweeping new reforms.

Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said:

“This is a historic and very good day for all in construction who have suffered from Late Payment and Retentions Abuse.  It isn’t the end, but my strong hope and belief it is the beginning of the end and an opportunity for the sector to grasp and use to find a better way to do business and remove the frictions associated with the dash for cash and behaviours that have undermined relationships and constrained opportunity to evolve.  I’d like to thank colleagues from within the Department and across the sector who have tirelessly championed better and brought us to this moment”.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – run by people who take risks, create jobs and keep communities going. This government is firmly on their side.

Too many small business owners are spending hours chasing money they are owed and when payments don’t come through, the cost is personal. It’s about whether you can pay your staff, keep the lights on, or invest in your future.

Today we’re changing that with the toughest action on late payments in a generation, so small businesses get paid on time and get the backing they need to grow, create jobs and serve their communities.”

Reforms include a clear 60-day cap on payment terms on all large firms paying smaller suppliers, mandatory interest on late payments, set at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, and a ban on the practice of withholding retention payments under construction contracts.

On top of this, the Small Business Commissioner is getting major new powers to investigate poor payment practices,  adjudicate disputes, and fine the worst offenders – with potential fines that could be worth tens of millions for persistently late payers.

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has already recovered more money for small firms in the last year than in the previous four years combined.

By improving cashflow through supply chains, the Bill supports productivity, growth and keeps our small businesses afloat, by giving them the certainty they need to invest and grow.

Vitally too for construction, the Bill starts to set down how abolition of retention will be enacted.  

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Costing the UK economy £11 billion every single year, late payments choke growth, cost jobs, and force too many good businesses to close. That ends today.

Through this landmark bill we are delivering the toughest payment reforms in over a generation, to give the UK the strongest legal framework in the G7, and back small businesses with the certainty they need to grow and thrive.

The Bill builds upon and strengthens legislation first laid out in the 1998 Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act, over 25 years ago, to give us the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7.  It will also require changes to the

Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (commonly referred to as the Construction Act. 

To find out more about the  Small Business Protections Bill Click Here. 

The Bill is due to be introduced in the House of Lords on Tuesday 19 May.

FIS has refreshed its Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning to reflect the most up-to-date advice and guidance, to support specification writers in fully understanding the key criteria involved when preparing partitioning specifications, including those for movable walls and pods.

The Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning was first written in 2022 by the FIS Partitioning and Pods Working Group which comprises representation from manufacturers, designers and contractors working in the sector. Pulling together decades of experience, this guide is designed to help specifiers and designers understand the questions that should be addressed before the specification can be produced and then how the specification should be structured, and which standards referenced.

The 2026 update includes a significant expansion of guidance on pre-cycle agreements, reuse considerations, and end-of-service-life planning. It also reflects recent and forthcoming changes to fire resistance and reaction-to-fire classification systems, alongside updates to UK and EU conformity marking requirements. In addition, all references have been revised to align with current BS/EN standards and established industry best practice.

In addition to the written update, the guidance has been developed into a CPD e-learning course available via the FIS Academy. This digital format allows individuals to work through the content at their own pace in a structured, interactive way, reinforcing key principles and making complex technical requirements easier to understand.

Commenting on the guide, Chair of the FIS Partitions and Pods Working Group and FIS member Peter Long said:

“Partition systems of all types are always interfaced with adjacent construction products and many of these are critical interfaces, particularly in safety-critical applications like fire resistance and resistance to collapse under loading. This requires building design and the specification of construction products, like partitioning, to be considered holistically and not in isolation. This Specifiers’ Guide aims to support specifiers in this holistic approach.”

The guide explains the vast range of product options and how careful specification can help with relocatability in the building as well as enjoying enhanced tax benefits. The guide also has reference material to regulations for safety, fire performance and standards.

This Specifiers Guide sits alongside other FIS guidance that relates to partitioning:

Best practice guide for installing Partitioning

FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme

Servicing Operable Walls

These guides work well when they are included in proposals and project plans to demonstrate how to best approach a project. They are also good differentiators when someone is in competition with non-members, and are an excellent introduction to new members of the team and any trainees and apprentices.

You can download the Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning from the Publications Library on the FIS website here.

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The Industry Task and Finish Group (ITFG) has today published its guidance on Managing Competence in the Built Environment: An industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles, providing practical, proportionate and risk-based support for organisations operating across the built environment.

The ITFG is an industry‑led, time‑limited group formed in June 2025 in response to the new Building Safety Regime’s requirement to manage competence in organisations. It brings together more than 50 professional bodies, industry organisations, regulators and assurance bodies, with the shared aim of translating high‑level principles for managing competence in the built environment into a practical day‑to‑day application that is recognised across the sector and helps drive up competence and building safety outcomes.

The guidance sets out what effective organisational competence management looks like in practice for organisations of all sizes and risk profiles, SMEs, micro-businesses and large organisations alike, enabling them to demonstrate that people working for them, or on their behalf, are competent for the work they undertake.

Its flexible and proportionate approach means that the guidance can be used alongside existing management systems, or as a foundation where no formal approach is yet in place. Although prompted to meet competence management requirements set by building safety reforms, it can be used more widely across the built environment.

The guidance has been developed alongside, and is fully aligned with, the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) publication Setting Expectations on Competence Management. Used together, the ICC advice sets out what good looks like at a high level, while the ITFG guidance explains how organisations can put those principles into practice.

The guidance looks at the role of organisational leadership and governance, while emphasising that actively managing competence is not simply about qualifications or training records; it is about ensuring that organisations have enough people with the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours for their role.

Using the principles set out in the ICC document, the ITFG guidance sets out the key elements organisations, SME’s and large organisations alike, should think about when putting effective competence management in place, defining what competence is needed for different roles and activities, assessing and verifying competence, and making sure competence is monitored and maintained over time.

Sofie Hooper, Chair of the ITFG comments:

“With competence being a critical determinant of health and safety, building safety and quality outcomes, the management of competence by organisations is not only a requirement for building safety, but it actively underpins the safety, performance and reliability of structures through the built environment.

“This important document will provide much needed guidance across the sector on how to manage competence well and it could not have been done without the cross sector support and the dedication of the experts in the Steering Group. We would also like to thank the ICC for the collaboration so that we could align our guidance- making a difference together.”

The guidance will next play a key role in shaping the development of a future British Standard on managing competence in organisations.

Available from supporting organisations’ websites, the ITFG and ICC documents are both also available from the BSI Competence hub, where organisations using the guidance can share their feedback and practical experience of the guidance. The ITFG will next be developing case studies and encourages organisations wanting to contribute to get in touch with Sofie.Hooper@aps.org.uk.

FIS is proud to announce the launch of its new Drylining Design Engineer Competency Framework, a significant step forward in defining professional standards, improving quality, and supporting career development across the interiors sector.

Developed in collaboration with industry experts, contractors, manufacturers, and training providers, the framework establishes a clear benchmark for the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required of drylining design engineers.

As construction projects grow increasingly complex, the need for qualified and competent design professionals has never been greater. This new framework aligns with broader industry initiatives around competency, including post-Grenfell regulatory reforms, and reinforces the importance of robust design processes in ensuring building safety.

The framework outlines core competencies across several key areas, including:

• Technical design knowledge and system understanding
• Regulatory compliance and building safety
• Risk management and problem-solving
• Communication and collaboration across project teams

Commenting on the launch, FIS Technical Director James Parlour said:

“Competency frameworks are required urgently across the industry, and we are grateful to our members for helping to identify and fulfil this critical gap where competency in delivering what seems to be a relatively narrow function is holding up the design of the entire interior system due to its wide ranging interfaces with other packages. It is also a prominent area of risk where contractors design portion is often defined and constrained poorly, and competent design management is key to mitigating this risk for the supply chain.”

The development of this competency framework reflects FIS’s ongoing commitment to raising standards and driving continuous improvement across the sector. It adds to a growing suite of installer competency frameworks that are already available from FIS, including:

• Ceilings

• Drylining

• Fibrous Plastering

• Moveable Walls

• Solid Plastering

• Raised Access Flooring

• SFS (Steel Framed Systems)

The Competency Framework is available to download from the FIS website at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/competency-frameworks/drylining-design-engineer-competency/

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 Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has published ‘Setting Expectations on Competence Management’ setting down clear principles for managing both individual and organisational competence under Building Regulations.

The ICC was formed under the Building Safety Act 2022 to provide strategic leadership, assistance, and encouragement to facilitate the improvement of competence in the built environment industry. It advises both the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and industry on matters of competence.

The ICC has set out clear expectations for industry by sharing clear principles on how organisations should manage the competence of those working for them.

This document is aimed at organisations who:

• Carry out any design or any building work (in all buildings)
• Manage buildings, and particularly those that manage Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs)

The advice builds on feedback received from industry consultation in May and September 2025. It establishes ICC’s expectations for how organisations should manage competence, setting out the common principles that should be in place across the sector.

The ICC will build on this advice during 2026 by developing case studies and examples, to assist industry at a more practical level

FIS has been involved in the drafting of this document and commends this resource to members.

The document can be accessed via the Built Environment Hub Setting Expectations on Competence Management – ICC Advice for Industry

Conflict in the Middle East and its potential impacts on the global economy, the UK economy and the construction industry cast a dark shadow over the forecasts for 2026 and 2027. It appears increasingly likely that the second half of this year will see a drop in demand and sharp cost rises. How long the global disruption and high oil and energy prices last remains uncertain at the time of writing, and the CPA has had to make assumptions about the extent and duration of the supply shock.

However, based on the CPA’s assumptions, construction output is now forecast to fall significantly in 2026, with growth in 2027 also adversely affected. The largest of the conflict impacts are likely to be felt on both the demand and supply side for private housing and private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i), the two largest construction sectors. In addition, the risks to the forecasts remain heavily skewed to the downside, although potential upside risks remain if the government provides stimulus to boost demand and reduces its additional cost burdens on the construction industry. In addition, all construction forecasters continue to highlight the major problems with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) construction output data on which construction forecasts are based, so users should treat the historical data with extreme caution.

At the end of last year, with the uncertainty created by the government’s Autumn Budget out of the way and with an expected slight acceleration in UK growth this year, there was a degree of cautious optimism over prospects for many key construction sectors in 2026 and 2027. However, the start of this year was already challenging for construction, with persistent rain affecting activity, particularly outdoor work and the start of new projects. The hope was that better weather in March and April would lead to stronger activity, and this appeared to have occurred, although there was little evidence of any significant ‘catch-up’ activity delayed at the start of the year. But the Middle East conflict is likely to raise its own challenges for the UK economy and the construction industry in particular. Even if there was a resolution to the conflict on the day of the forecasts being published, a degree of permanent damage would be done to oil production, shipping channels, and additional global uncertainty and risk would be priced in, which is likely to lead to both a spike in CPI inflation across the economy and construction product price inflation due to oil, energy and input cost rises.

Privately funded construction sectors are most likely to be affected by these cost increases. In addition, privately funded construction sectors will be affected by increases in mortgage and financing costs, which will hit homebuyers and site viability, respectively. Publicly-funded and regulated sectors are likely to be less affected by these issues and with strong pipelines of activity in some areas, clients may be more willing to accept cost rises on projects over the next 12-18 months. However, if not, these sectors may also suffer from project viability issues and major contractors’ and consortia’s unwillingness to sign up to large projects in an uncertain cost environment, given the increasing risk.

Due to the uncertainty over how long the disruption will last, how high oil and energy prices will peak, and how long they will remain at those peaks, the CPA’s forecasts are based on oil prices remaining above $100 per barrel for four months, which occurred in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The CPA also has an Upper Scenario, which assumes oil prices remain above $100 per barrel for 2 months.

In the CPA’s forecast, construction output volumes are expected to fall by 2.5% in 2026, due to a weather-affected Q1, followed by a slowdown in demand and a sharp upturn in cost inflation in H2, driven by the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East. This is a major revision down from the 1.7% growth forecast in the CPA’s Winter forecast, and the only precedents for such large downward revisions to the forecasts were during the global financial crisis in 2008, the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, and the energy commodity price spikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Output is still forecast to rise by 1.2% in 2027, but this is a significant revision down from the CPA’s Winter forecast of 2.8%, and the growth would be from a lower base. In addition, the risks to the 2027 forecast remain firmly on the downside, as the lagged impacts of borrowing rate increases and cost rises feed through to the ground, affecting consumer confidence and spending, as well as business confidence and investment. Aside from issues arising from the recent conflict, the fundamentals in key construction sectors remain unchanged. However, as with the impacts of the energy and commodity price spikes in 2022, the recent conflict is likely to affect the cost bases of firms throughout the supply chain.

FIS has launched a new e-learning module, Building Regulation Compliance: Contractor Roles, designed to help construction professionals understand and meet their responsibilities under the latest regulatory changes.

Our new competency-led e-learning module provides clear, practical guidance on what compliance really means and how it applies to you. It has been designed for directors, managers, and senior leaders within contracting organisations, while also offering valuable insight for project teams and supervisors responsible for maintaining standards on the ground.

Challenging misconceptions and clarifying responsibilities

A key focus of the course is addressing a widespread misconception across the industry that roles such as Principal Contractor and Contractor apply only to Higher Risk Buildings. In reality, these roles are mandatory across all regulated works, making a clear understanding of responsibilities essential for compliance.

The course breaks down these requirements in a straightforward, accessible way, helping contractors understand exactly where they fit within the regulatory framework and what is expected of them.

Practical, competency-led learning

Developed through our close collaboration with members and industry experts, the module is built around real-world application. It aims to demystify complex regulatory requirements and support organisations in embedding best practice.

Designed primarily for directors, managers, and senior leaders within contracting organisations, the course is also highly relevant for project teams and supervisors responsible for maintaining standards on site.

Learners who enrol will:

• Build confidence in the requirements of the new regulations

• Drive their understanding of the Building Control process

• Strengthen their organisation’s competence and capability

• Gain CPD points to support their professional development

Supporting a culture of competence and compliance

Competence sits at the heart of compliance and understanding how regulations apply at both an individual and organisational level is critical to managing risk and delivering safe, high-quality projects.

This new module forms part of our ongoing commitment to support the sector through regulatory change, providing timely, practical training that reflects the realities faced by contractors today.

Members can access the e-learning for free here. The courses are available to non-members for a fee. Visit the FIS Academy here.

From 1 July 2026 a new building safety regime will come into force in Wales, introducing fundamental changes to how building work is regulated, approved and enforced. While closely aligned with the principles of the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced in England, the Welsh system is not identical and will operate through different regulators, processes and documentation requirements.  To support members in understanding and preparing for these changes, FIS has launched a short, targeted e-learning module: The Building Safety Act Wales 2026.

What is changing in Wales?

Wales is introducing a dutyholder‑led regulatory framework that applies to all regulated building work, with additional and more stringent requirements for higher‑risk buildings (HRBs). The system has strong parallels with the English regime, but there are important practical differences that contractors, designers and specialists need to understand.

Key features of the Welsh regime include:

• a dutyholder framework similar to England, applying to clients, designers, contractors, principal designers and principal contractors
• mandatory competence requirements for individuals and organisations carrying out design or building work
• replacement of the traditional “deposit of plans” system with a new application‑based building control approval process
• strengthened enforcement powers, including compliance notices, stop notices and extended enforcement periods
• a separate staged approval system for higher‑risk buildings, administered through local authority building control rather than a Building Safety Regulator

A significant difference is that Wales has not created a standalone Building Safety Regulator. Higher‑risk buildings and enforcement remain within the jurisdiction of local authority building control, with different approval routes, statutory declarations and appeal mechanisms to those used in England.  Additionally the Welsh regime:

• uses staged approvals rather than England’s gateway process
• defines higher‑risk buildings more broadly, capturing buildings with at least one residential unit as well as hospitals and care homes with overnight stays
• requires specific prescribed documents, including competence declarations, construction control plans, change control plans and golden thread information
• introduces formal change‑control categories for HRBs, with major changes requiring fresh approval before work can proceed

Understanding these changes and the distinctions will be essential to helping avoid delays, rework, rejected submissions or enforcement action once the new regime is live.

What the FIS Wales 2026 module covers

The new FIS training module draws out the differences in Wales and is targeted at those who have already completed the Introduction to the Building Safety Act and now need to understand how the Welsh system works.

The module provides: 

• a clear explanation of how the Welsh building safety regime has evolved
• an overview of the dutyholder and competence requirements applying from July 2026
• practical guidance on the new building control approval process
• detailed insight into higher‑risk building procedures, staged approvals and prescribed information
• clarity on enforcement powers and what they mean in practice
• a plain‑English explanation of transitional arrangements for projects already underway

Preparing for July 2026

Transitional provisions mean that some projects already in the system before 1 July 2026 will continue under the current arrangements. However, any project that has not deposited full plans or secured acceptance of an initial notice by that date will need to comply with the new Welsh regime from the outset.  With increased emphasis on competence, accountability and documented compliance, now is the right time for organisations to ensure their teams understand how the Welsh system operates.

FIS remains committed to supporting the finishes and interiors sector through the biggest regulatory change in a generation. Alongside this new Wales‑specific module, FIS continues to provide guidance, training and practical tools to help members manage risk, improve safety and remain compliant.

To access the course, visit the FIS E-Learning Academy.  For any questions about the regulations contact the FIS team at info@thefis.org or 0121 707 0077.

The energy market continues to present challenges for businesses across the UK, and for companies operating within the finishes and interiors sector, controlling overheads remains as important as ever. With wholesale prices still reacting to global events, changing demand levels, weather patterns, network costs and policy updates, energy procurement is no longer something businesses can afford to leave on autopilot.

For FIS members, having the right strategy in place can make a significant difference to both short-term costs and long-term stability. That’s where Enexus Energy can help. As part of your FIS membership, you have access to expert support designed to help you better understand the market, review your current contracts, and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Whether you’re approaching renewal, unsure if your current rates remain competitive, or simply want clearer visibility over your utilities spend, Enexus can provide independent guidance tailored to your business needs. They will work with you to simplify what can often be a complex market, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.

Support can include:
* Reviewing current electricity and gas contracts
* Benchmarking rates against the wider market
* Procurement support and renewal strategy
* Invoice validation and billing support
* Identifying energy-saving opportunities
* Guidance on sustainability and future planning

In a market that remains uncertain, having a trusted energy consultant on your side can provide reassurance and real value. If you’re an FIS member and would like to explore how Enexus can support your business, get in touch with the Enexus Energy team today.

Andy Radcliffe
FIS Energy Expert
01253 966964
Andy.radcliffe@enexusen