by Oscar Venus | 15 Mar, 2024 | Contractual and Legal
Director of Building Safety for HSE, Philip White, has today written to the Building Control industry outlining new transitional arrangements for the registration of building control inspectors in England.
The Building Safety Regulator has listened to the concerns raised by the profession, including the potential impact on the construction industry if there are not enough inspectors registered to practice by the legal deadline.
It is crucial these concerns are balanced with the requirement for BSR to implement the Building Safety Act, 2022 and the need to raise standards in the profession; it is also important to remember that these changes were introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
A competence assessment extension period of 13 weeks will be introduced from 6 April to 6 July 2024 to enable those who meet specific criteria to continue to operate. This is not an opportunity to delay completing registration as an RBI and there will be no extension to these arrangements.
BSR has seen a positive response to the changes among the profession and it is encouraging to see a large number of people already engaging with the process. As of today (14 March) 3,261 professionals have started their applications to register.
In line with BSR’s enforcement policy statement and the principles of proportionate regulation, BSR will target its regulatory activity at those who present the greatest risk, particularly those who are not engaging with the new regulatory regime.
Open letter to Building Control professionals – March 24
Letter from the Director of Building Safety to industry:
Dear colleague,
As you will be aware, a number of concerns have been expressed by the building control profession about whether enough building control professionals will be registered as RBIs by 6 April.
I understand those concerns and have been working with colleagues in BSR and across government to consider what we can do to support the profession. To that end, the decision has been taken to implement a competence assessment extension period for those meeting set criteria.
Professionals who are not registered by 6 April will not benefit from the extension period and will not be able to continue to work on regulated building control activities.
Experienced building control professionals who are not trainees but have not yet completed a competence assessment will have the scope of their registration temporarily extended provided they meet the following criteria:
Temporary Class 1 Registration Extension Criteria:
- They are an existing building control professional;
- They are registered as a Class 1 RBI by 6 April 2024;
- They are enrolled in, and in the process of having their competency assessed through, one of the BSR approved competency assessment schemes by 6 April 2024. These are: cbuilde.com, www.thebscf.org, www.ttd-education.org; and
- A scheme provider has not told them that they have not passed their competency assessment for a second time
Those who meet the above criteria will be allowed a period of 13 weeks from 6 April 2024 to 6 July 2024 to complete their competency assessment and upgrade their registration to Class 2 or 3 (and 4, if applicable).
During this period, the scope of their registration will be temporarily extended, and they can continue to undertake building control work for the class of RBI for which they are undertaking a competency assessment.
Those who meet the criteria but do not successfully complete a competency assessment and upgrade their registration class by 6 July will not be able to continue to undertake regulated building control activities.
More detail on the transitional arrangements can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/building-safety/building-control/codes-standards.htm
This must not be seen as an opportunity to delay – there will be no extension to these arrangements. From 6 July 2024 any professionals who have not completed a competency assessment and upgraded their registration class will only be able to undertake work under supervision.
We expect employers to support staff going through the assessment process by ensuring they have time to complete the assessment process and providing assistance and support to help them to succeed.
I encourage everyone who has not yet done so to register with BSR and enrol with one of the competency assessment schemes as soon as possible.
Philip White
Director of Building Safety, HSE
by Oscar Venus | 15 Mar, 2024 | Main News Feed
FIS has partnered with Barbour ABI to extend its reach, educate and take our content directly to specifiers and building designers. This also enables members to extend their presence on Barbour ABI through the FIS Specialist Interiors Hub and access discounts on core services available from Barbour ABI. FIS regularly shares content from its online platform SpecFinish which is added to the Specialist Interiors Hub.
by Oscar Venus | 8 Mar, 2024 | Market data
If you’re a main contractor who is employing a sub-contractor through an intermediary, such as their own limited company, familiarity with the interaction between off-payroll rules (IR35), and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), is crucial, and so is an understanding of when the VAT reverse charge applies. This information sheet has been prepared by the JCT to help FIS members understand the interaction between CIS and IR35.
by Oscar Venus | 22 Feb, 2024 | Membership
Staying updated on FIS activities can be challenging. Consider enabling notifications on LinkedIn for FIS content to receive updates about important industry issues that affect your business and related FIS guidance, as well as notifications, member benefits, our events and other activities.
To help us to stand out in the noise that is social media, have you considered enabling notifications on your LinkedIn account for FIS content? We understand if you prefer not to receive frequent updates, and we assure you that we limit our posts to three times a day (excluding award announcements) to avoid overwhelming you. By doing this, you can stay informed about award opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to contribute to your trade association’s direction.
Simply click on the bell icon at the top right of our LinkedIn page and select your preferred notification settings.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Feb, 2024 | Main News Feed
This consultation outlines several proposed changes to permitted development rights:
- To enhance flexibility for homeowners in accommodating growing families and maximizing the potential of their current residences, we are considering various adjustments to these rights. These changes aim to allow larger extensions and grant more freedom to construct outbuildings.
- To support the construction of new homes, we are exploring the possibility of amending existing upward building rights to broaden the range of buildings eligible for these rights. Additionally, we are seeking input on modifying the demolition and rebuild right to expand the types of buildings that can benefit from it and permit larger rebuild footprints.
- In order to provide increased flexibility for households and businesses interested in installing electric vehicle charging stations, we are considering several alterations to the relevant rights. Feedback is being sought on whether permitted development rights should encompass units necessary for the operation of electric vehicle charge points, such as equipment housing or storage cabinets. We are also seeking input on revisions to the permitted development right for air source heat pumps, including a review of the requirement that they must be at least 1 meter from the property boundary.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Feb, 2024 | Main News Feed
From 6 April, all building-control professionals must pass a competence assessment and register with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), a division of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Lorna Stimpson, the chief executive of Local Authority Building Control (LABC,) has warned that this could mean that a considerable number of councils are at risk of discontinuing building-control services from April, unless the deadline for proving professional competence is extended.
In a significant move, she has urged senior officials at the HSE, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and the Welsh Government to postpone the competence assessment deadline by six months for a smoother transition. She cautioned in a letter that many building-control professionals might not attain certification before the deadline, leading to “a significant number of authorities” in England and Wales being unable to carry out building control.
According to Stimpson, the absence of registered building inspectors in a local authority would have broad repercussions on the construction industry, consumers, regulatory enforcement, and compliance. She states that the profession has had insufficient time to grasp the new requirements, with numerous surveyors yet to apply for registration or competence testing and also expressed concerns about the mental health impact on staff at the independent assessor bodies, with building control professionals experiencing a high level of stress due to the deadline.
She suggested that building surveyors should adhere to the BSR’s codes of conduct from 6 April and be enrolled in an independent assessment scheme, working towards certification by the revised deadline.
FIS chief executive Iain McIlwee said: “This is undoubtedly a concern for all in the supply chain as delays can be expensive and disruptive. We urge all members to pay careful attention to their contracts and any liabilities associated with delay that could be imposed on them and encourage Government to heed the warnings of the LABC who are working closely with their local authority members to ensure that political ideology is matched to practical considerations and that we are all working together to deliver a safer and better culture in the construction sector supported by effective regulation and pragmatic, but robust enforcement.”
by Oscar Venus | 16 Feb, 2024 | Market data
The recent publication of the CPA’s State of Trade Survey Q4 2023 revealed a continued decrease in construction product sales for manufacturers in the previous year. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of decline for heavy side manufacturers and the second decrease for those on the light side. Looking ahead, manufacturers predict a further decline in sales over the next 12 months, expressing worries about the anticipated weak demand in 2024.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Feb, 2024 | Awards, Main News Feed
The excitement is mounting as the judging process for the 2024 FIS Contractor Awards is now underway. Our judges are traveling across the country to inspect the remarkable projects submitted by our members.
These awards shine a spotlight on excellence within the finishes and interiors sector, with a goal of motivating and acknowledging exceptional craftsmanship. The Awards Lunch, a much-anticipated event, guarantees an afternoon of recognition, camaraderie, and opportunities for industry professionals to network and share insights.
You can take a look at our Project Library which details the remarkable projects that our members complete. You can access comprehensive case studies for each project, detailing the scope of works, products used, contract budgets and locations.
Tickets are now on sale for the Awards Lunch, which will be held on 6 June at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. The winners of the 2024 Awards will be announced and presented by our guest speaker Shaparak Khorsand.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Feb, 2024 | Market data
The CPA’s weekly Economic and Construction Update provides an insightful summary of the latest economic and construction trends in the UK.
The CPA’s weekly Economic and Construction Update offers a comprehensive overview of the current economic and construction trends in the UK, including key indicators like CPI inflation, core CPI inflation, UK construction average weekly earnings, UK construction insolvencies, UK house price index, and the UK residential market survey. This resource is valuable for individuals keen on the UK construction sector, with a user-friendly contents page for easy navigation to specific sections of interest.
In the latest report, it is evident that CPI Inflation and Core CPI Inflation for January 2023 have shown moderate increases, reflecting the current economic climate. The ONS Construction Output data for December 2023 indicates steady growth in the sector, with promising signs for future developments. Additionally, the ONS Construction New Orders for Q4 of 2023 demonstrate a positive outlook for upcoming projects within the construction industry.
Moreover, the ONS UK Construction Employment figures for the same period reveal stable employment rates, highlighting the industry’s resilience and ability to provide job opportunities. On another note, the Insolvency Service UK Construction Insolvencies data for December 2023 shows a decrease in insolvencies, indicating a more robust financial landscape for construction companies.
Lastly, the ONS UK House Price Index for December 2023 presents an overview of the housing market, showcasing trends and fluctuations in property prices. Overall, the comprehensive update provides valuable insights into various aspects of the construction and housing sectors, offering a glimpse into the current state of the UK economy.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Feb, 2024 | Main News Feed
BABR, a long-established cash flow solutions business, is delighted to join the FIS as their trusted Finance Partner. Members will benefit from a dedicated helpline, where free, no obligation support and guidance will be available for your financial quandaries.
Working with the FIS and its members, BABR will inform and educate with insightful content on financial topics for SpecFinish trade magazine and in webinars run at regular intervals through 2024, the first of which is planned for 17th April 2024 – Webinar: Risk to Resilience – cashflow, funding and recovery options – FIS (thefis.org)
Find out more about BABR here
by Oscar Venus | 9 Feb, 2024 | Drylining, Main News Feed
SkillBuild, delivered by CITB, is the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.
Registration for regional heats is now open. Categories include Plastering and Drylining (previously Plastering and Drywall).
FIS will be attending and is encouraging members to get behind the regional heats to support the competition and use these opportunities to engage with local schools and colleges. Our aim is to ensure key interior trades such as Drylining, Plastering and Carpentry and Joinery have a strong presence in the competition and we use the opportunity that SkillBuild provides to promote the sector.
Having attended the 2023 SkillBuild finals, the excitement and motivation in the room of all the participants was inspiring.
The SkillBuild competition offers an opportunity for talented apprentices and learners of all ages to compete regionally against one another in various trade categories.
SkillBuild offers many benefits for employers and training providers, such as:
- Showcase the quality of your training programmes through success in competitions
- Highlight your organisations commitment to raising standards in work-based learning.
- Boost your long-term business performance
More information on the competition including locations can be found here: SkillBuild | Go Construct
If you’re interested in coming to SkillBuild, or for any other Skills and Training queries, please get in touch with our Skills Team – Beena beenanana@thefis.org or Marie marieflinter@thefis.org
by Oscar Venus | 9 Feb, 2024 | Skills
It’s the last day of National Apprenticeship Week 2024 where the focus has been ‘Skills for Life’. Apprenticeships are designed by employers to help apprentices gain the skills and knowledge needed in the workplace. Apprenticeships can support your business to grow talent and develop a skilled workforce.
FIS members have been actively demonstrating their support and dedication this week by investing in training the next generation through apprenticeship programs. Here are some highlights:
- CG Reynolds established a specialised Trade Academy last year and brought in Trainee Fixers, leading to notable successes for both the company and the apprentices.
- Alby Gumble and Aaron McElligott, Assistant Site Managers at Pexhurst Services Limited, and Tom Kasoulis, Assistant Contracts/Commercial Manager, shared their positive experiences with the apprenticeship scheme and discussed their future career goals.
- British Gypsum proudly supports over 1,200 apprentices across 51 Thistle Partnership Colleges in the UK. They spoke with plastering apprentice Ryan to learn more about his motivation for joining the apprenticeship program.
- Errigal featured apprentice Nicole, who aspires to become a project manager, and highlighted the valuable support she has received.
- Domino Commercial Interiors hosted an open event to engage with the community and showcase their diverse range of services.
Offering an apprenticeship can:
- introduce fresh talent and ideas to your business by recruiting new staff and upskilling existing members
- align training to your business needs
- boost staff loyalty and motivation
Apprenticeships available for Finishes and Interiors are:
- Level 2 Interior Systems Installer – pathways are:
- Ceilings and Partitions
- Drylining
This apprenticeship includes learning about Installing, repairing and maintaining various elements of the internal structure of a building.
In addition, the government will fund up to a maximum amount of £14,000 for this apprenticeship training.
Plastering includes preparing walls and ceilings for decoration and finishing.
In addition to supporting NAW 2024 and following the theme of ‘Skills for Life’, FIS have produced and launched a competency framework to demonstrate routes to baseline installer competence for Drylining. The framework can be found here: Competence Framework for Dry Liners – FIS (thefis.org)
This framework aims to support members to identify Drylining routes to competence and SKEB Statements, which will help to understand what training, qualification and competence does and should look like for this area, and help identify potential training gaps and how they can be addressed.
by Oscar Venus | 9 Feb, 2024 | Main News Feed
The Smarter Regulation Directorate in the Department for Business and Trade is currently developing an online platform that hopes to publish UK regulation data in one place and in a machine-readable format. We hope that this will help support regulatory compliance in the construction sector by making that data easier to find, search through and for innovative companies to create new compliance solutions to help businesses. Please find attached a brochure for further detail.
They are looking for any UK companies working within the construction sector, of any size, to participate in a study. They are particularly keen to hear from SMEs.
As part of this product development, they are keen to understand more about the companies in the construction sector including asking:
1. More about your organisation and what you do
2. How you access and comply with UK regulation
3. Whether you would use their platform or third party compliance solutions (theirs will provide a brief demonstration)
The team are hoping to conduct 5-10 virtual user research interviews over the course of 1 hour in February and March.
Alternatively, if you wish to do a written survey, you can access and complete it here: https://forms.office.com/e/k8cbu5eyEf
Please be assured that the session will be recorded solely for research purposes. All personal and commercial information, including your identity, will be anonymised and will remain confidential.
If you are interested, please reach out to them on OpenRegulation@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
Here is a YouTube video, demoing the product: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DedKWKc_B_Y, and in addition, attached is a pdf of a brochure, for further info.
by Oscar Venus | 9 Feb, 2024 | Main News Feed
TDUK has recently completed a project on Embodied Carbon Data for Timber Products, the paper is now available on the TDUK website under “2024 Embodied Carbon Data for Timber Products: Timber Development UK.” To access the document, you will need to log in to the TDUK website. If you don’t have an account yet, you can easily create one as either a member or non-member to download the paper.
FIS Sustainability champion, Flavie Lores had this to say:
As the need to design and build more net zero carbon buildings increases, there is growing pressure for the manufacturers to provide better quality data on the carbon footprint of their products through EPD. However, having access to generic data is useful to better understand the impact of various products in the early stages of design . I am very pleased to see the work that TDUK has carried out to review over 80 EPD to provide A1-A4 data for 10 timber products, thereby providing a great pool of data to enable better embodied carbon calculations.
This comprehensive paper, which has been in the works for several months, presents the weighted average A1-A3 embodied carbon data for various timber products used in the UK, including UK-specific A4 transport data. It’s recommended that using this data for all Whole Life Cycle assessments in the UK. The paper outlines the methodology used, data confidence levels, and includes a PDF dataset with links to EPDs, product densities, and a verification report by Jane Anderson at Construction LCA, confirming compliance with CEN/TR 15941:2010 standards. All these documents are accessible for download on the TDUK website.
This resource will be invaluable for future discussions on WLC assessments within Ska. Please helped spread the word by sharing this paper within your networks, as it reveals significant differences compared to the ICE database, especially for softwood, CLT, Glulam, OSB, and MDF. The paper is open to all interested parties, but they must create a free account on the TDUK website to access and download the data.
by Oscar Venus | 9 Feb, 2024 | Main News Feed
The Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) deadline of 31 December 2024 for all Industry Accreditation (IA) cardholders (also known as ‘Grandfather Rights’) is fast approaching. After this date IA cards will no longer be accepted on site. CSCS advises that:
- All IA cards issued from 1 January 2020 will expire on 31 December 2024 and cannot be replaced using industry accreditation.
- This is to meet industry requirements, which state that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations.
- Tailored guidance has been developed to help cardholders replace their IA cards, depending on their occupations and qualifications, while a list of FAQs is also available.
- Those requiring a qualification do not need to attend college and enhanced CITB grants are available to support CITB-registered employers achieve recognised qualifications.
To support construction workers in obtaining the required qualification to transition from an IA card to an appropriate CSCS card, CITB has increased the grants for specific supervision and management NVQs/SVQs.
The CITB increased grants are as follows:
- Specific Supervision NVQ Diplomas/SVQs now £1,250
- Specific Management NVQ Diplomas/SVQs now £1,500
Supervision – CITB Registered Members who are up to date with their Levy can claim on Completion of the Qualification: £1,250
Level3/SCQF Level 6 in Built Environment Design
Level3/SCQF Level 6 in Construction Contracting Operations (any subcategory)
Level3/SCQF Level 6 in Occupational work Supervision (Construction)
Level3/SCQF Level 6 in Site Inspection
Level 3 in Surveying, Property and Maintenance
Level 4/SCQF Level 7 in Construction Site Supervision
Management – CITB Registered Members who are up to date with their Levy can claim on Completion of the Qualification: £1,500
Level 6/SCQF Level 10 in Construction Site Management
Level 6/SCQF Level 9 in Built Environment Design Management
Level 6/SCQF Level 9 in Construction Contracting Operations Management (any subcategory)
Level 6 in Senior Site Inspection
Level 7/SCQF Level 11 in Construction Senior Management
FIS works with a number of training providers to help deliver NVQs/SVQs, which can be found in the FIS Membership Directory here. If you have any questions or need assistance please contact marieflinter@thefis.org
by Oscar Venus | 26 Jan, 2024 | Skills
The competence framework for project managers is now available for use.
The new competence framework for project managers in the built environment is a fantastic resource for those looking to develop their skills and knowledge in the field. The framework is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the competencies required to excel as a project manager, with a particular focus on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the built environment.
To learn more about the framework and its benefits, you can visit here. Additionally, if you’re interested in attending a joint webinar hosted by APM, RICS, and CIOB, you can register for by clicking here. This is a great opportunity to gain further insight into the framework and to connect with other professionals in the field.
To see more about the FIS competency framework for dryliners, click here
by Oscar Venus | 26 Jan, 2024 | Main News Feed
A letter addressed to the Chancellor highlights the importance of the construction industry in growing the UK economy. The industry contributes 9% of the UK’s GDP and employs over 2.63 million people. The letter emphasises the need for stability across the sector’s projects, identifies challenges in housing delivery, and suggests solutions such as unlocking small sites for SME house builders and incentivising private finance for affordable housing.
It also calls for consistency in implementing the Construction Playbook and flexibility in infrastructure investment, along with a national retrofit strategy to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The letter concludes by urging the government to work with the industry to address these challenges and promote economic growth.
Read the full letter here
by Oscar Venus | 25 Jan, 2024 | Membership
TradePoint is offering exceptional benefits to FIS members, including a great deal on hiring tools, with free delivery and collection service. You can hire the tools you need for a week or even just for the weekend, so there’s no need to worry about the duration of your project.
Their range of tools and equipment are fully tested and come with accessories included, ensuring you have everything you need to complete your project with ease. With dedicated customer support, you can rest assured that you’ll have access to professional assistance if you have any questions or concerns.
The best part? No deposit is required, which means you can get started on your project right away without any financial burden. Whether you’re working on a DIY project or a professional construction job, TradePoint is the perfect solution to all your project needs.
Are you an FIS member? Access your TradePoint card here
by Oscar Venus | 12 Jan, 2024 | Market data
The CLC has released a statement on Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) Regulations 2024
On Wednesday 10 January the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) laid the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
These Regulations amend existing regulations, which impose a requirement on large companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) to publish certain information twice per financial year about their practices, policies and performance in relation to paying suppliers. These Regulations extend the Principal Regulations and the LLP Regulations beyond their current sunset date of 6 April 2024 to 6 April 2031 and require additional information to be reported by qualifying companies and LLPs. This includes requirements for qualifying companies to publish information on the value of payments made within a qualifying period and information on payments that were not paid under qualifying contracts. The Regulations can be found here.
The Government response to the public consultation on the amendments to the Payment Practices and Performances Regulations 2017 was published alongside the Autumn Statement 2023, and confirmed the introduction of a requirement for qualifying businesses that are parties to construction contracts to report on their retention payment policy and key statistics in relation to retentions.
Legislation for the new retention reporting requirements is expected to be laid before Parliament in 2024. It is anticipated that qualifying business will commence data collation and include in their payment practices and performance reports during 2025.
FIS CEO Iain McIlwee added:
“It is great to see the changes that were announced in the Autumn are being carried into law, but a bit disappointing that we have to wait until 2025 before we start to see the benefit. This is an area where FIS has long been calling for reform and has repeatedly highlighted the limitations with current reporting requirements that mask some serious underlying problems. The new requirements will provide a more realistic measure of late payment of construction invoices and highlight problems related to retention and disputed invoices.
This is a positive step, but better measurement is not in itself change. As we head to the next General Election we will continue to lobby for reform of payment certification and retentions in construction and I am hopeful that the data that will start to come through will support our calls for change. New Zealand recently legislated for retentions to be held in trust and the EU are bringing forward far tougher late payment regulations. In the UK we are way behind on this and the supply chain is, as a consequence, getting even harder hit by the current levels of insolvency.”
by Oscar Venus | 11 Jan, 2024 | Market data
The new R&D tax credit scheme, slated for launch in April 2024, has been closely followed by investors in construction innovation. The government has increased the tax credit from 1 April 2023 to 20% of qualifying expenditure, which is an excellent incentive to boost construction productivity. However, there were initial concerns that the text implied a restriction in claiming the tax credit in cases where the R&D stemmed from sub-contracting, which would have been disastrous for many SMEs and large businesses in the construction sector.
Following close engagement with the government, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) is pleased to report that specific positive references to subcontracting and the construction industry have been included in the Autumn Statement, with the aim of preserving current eligibility for the tax credit. The CLC, however, had valid concerns regarding the draft wording of the legislation released in the Draft Finance Bill 2023-24, which could still pose problems for the construction industry, where R&D activities had been “contemplated” further up the chain. The CLC is committed to ensuring that the R&D tax credit remains available to all firms in the construction supply chain that initiate their own R&D activities. HMT and HMRC have confirmed their willingness to work with the CLC and other industry professionals to ensure that the guidance is clear and that the final legislation reflects the position in the Autumn Statement. Real-world examples and case studies, including those from the construction industry, will be included in the guidance note, which should be available by early 2025.
Miranda Chamberlain, Group Head of Tax at Mace Group, shared these important updates.
