Education represents the second largest element of public service spending in the UK behind Health – equivalent to around 4.3 per cent of national income. However, despite this level of commitment, the UK continues to face significant challenges when it comes to ensuring there are sufficient school places to meet growing demand.
According to ‘The School Places Challenge 2019’ published by Scape Group, despite efforts to increase school building over recent years, local authorities continue to face an uphill battle – with the number of children needing a school place in England expected to rise by 385,031 by 2021/22, and Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales expecting to require an additional 33,179 pupils between them by 2020/21.
In a post Covid-19 financial landscape the need to deliver high quality buildings with improved levels of efficiency will never be greater – and represents an opportunity to turn this challenge into a positive catalyst for change.
The Construction Leadership Council has identified that innovation and smart construction has the potential to transform the productivity of the construction sector, address its capacity issues and improve the quality and performance of the buildings we produce.
We have already seen positive progress by the Innovation in Buildings workstream to drive the adoption of smart construction within a Residential context and are now pleased to extend this thinking across another sector.
Working with the Department for Education and a number of key industry, academic and government representatives we have commenced the development of a collaborative plan of action to deliver a real increase in smart construction across Educational building delivery.
The findings of our initial launch workshop are published below, and we look forward to sharing our ongoing progress with you throughout 2020 and beyond.
In a letter supported by FIS issued to Kevin Steward MSP, Minister for Local Government Housing and Planning, the Chair of the CICV Forum draws attention to the unwelcome practice of amendments to Building Contracts in both the public and private sector and the devastating impact this can have on the construction sector as risk is forced through the supply chain. The letter alerts the Minister to one instance where a contract from a Local Authority was presented with a total of 67 pages of amendments.
The letter also spotlights specific instances where entitlement have been removed and contractors are being forced to take all the financial impact of COVID related events.
In support of the letter, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated: “Once again we see the industry working together lead by the CICV. It is so disappointing to see some of these underhand tactics being used to exploit the industry’s need to find work and ramp things back up again – Alan makes some excellent points in his letter and I hope the Scottish Government will step up and take on board the suggestions contained. With the extended lock down Scottish Businesses have had a particularly difficult time, but these issues are not confined to Scotland and companies across the UK need to be very careful about what they sign up to in these uncertain times.”
Note that the Construction Leadership Council continue to gather information about the nature and extent of commercial issues within the industry – the deadline for the survey (which can be completed here) is Friday 21st August. FIS is encouraging all members to complete where they have concerns to raise specific issues as they arise with FIS.
If Labour Only Sub Contractors are eligible for the second and final Income Support Scheme grant, and have been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you can make a claim on or before 19 October 2020. You can claim for the second grant even if you did not make a claim for the first grant. If you have different circumstances it can affect your eligibility. If you’re self-employed or member of a partnership, find out how your circumstances can affect your eligibility for the scheme.
Please see here to understand how HMRC works out trading and non-trading income for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
A new version of the ‘Safe Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic Guidelines’ is now available.
Version 2 of the Guidelines offers a comprehensive, practical approach, applicable to all organizations, large and small.
The Guidelines provide recommendations, based on user experience and expert input, for safe working during the pandemic. They have been enhanced and extended, based on the best and latest information, to help prevent a second wave.
Major new clauses added are:
Working from home
Managing suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
Multiple or mobile workplaces
Safe use of toilets
Reporting to external parties
Inclusivity and accessibility
Psychological health and well-being.
The information and recommendations within the Guidelines can be used by any organisation managing the risks related to COVID-19, regardless of size, type or location.
Where a worker has been diagnosed as having COVID-19 and there is reasonable evidence to suggest that it was caused by occupational exposure, employers are required to report the case to the relevant enforcing authority under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
Latest published figures up to week ending 11 July show:
7,971 disease notifications of COVID-19 in workers where occupational exposure is suspected were reported to enforcing authorities (HSE and LAs) over the period 10th April – 11 July, including 119 death notifications
around 80% of all worker reported cases (fatal and non-fatal) since 10 April were in HSE enforced workplaces
the majority of reports received since 10th April are for workers in the Health and Social Work sector (including for example hospitals, residential homes and day care). Around 75% of reports were recorded by employers against these activities, although the actual percentage may be higher as it is known that many reports for this sector get mis-classified by employers, particularly to the accommodation sector and to other personal services
85% of worker COVID-19 reports received since 10 April were from workplaces in England, 8% in Wales and 7% in Scotland
the number of COVID-19 notifications made to enforcing authorities has generally fallen week-on-week since beginning of May, and is now at the lowest weekly level since week commencing 12 April (consistent weekly data is unavailable prior to then)
all cases that are reported to HSE and Local Authorities are being assessed and investigations initiated where incidents meet our published Incident Selection Criteria. We are unable to comment on individual investigations at this time.
Total suspected occupational COVID-19 reports made by employers to the Enforcing Authorities, 12 April to 11 July 2020
The statutory disease reporting form was changed on 10 April to enable systematic identification of COVID-19 reports. Guidance was also issued on this date around reporting requirements for COVID-19 deaths under RIDDOR. While some COVID reports may have been made prior to 10th April, they will not be consistent with later time periods. Therefore the data considers reports from 10 April onwards only.
The Government has also published New guidance for businesses and organisations on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of coronavirus has been published. Action cards have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased. The cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on hand in your business or organisation.
In recognition that Apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow – both now and in the long-term. Due to the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak the government has introduced incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice to help organisations offer new apprenticeships.
Employers who hire a new apprentice between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 can apply for:
£2,000 for each new apprentice aged 16 to 24
£1,500 for each new apprentice 25 and over
You can apply for the payment from 1 September 2020, after you add new apprentices to your apprenticeship service account. The first payments will be made from January 2021 and will be paid directly into employer’s bank accounts.
How the incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice works
You’ll get the payment in 2 equal instalments. You will be eligible for 50% of the payment 90 days after the apprentice’s start date, and the remaining 50% after the apprentice completes 365 days of their apprenticeship.
The apprentice will need to be in employment and undertaking their apprenticeship at these times as evidenced in the Individualised Learner Record.
Apprentices who’ve been made redundant are eligible as long as they’re a new employee to your organisation. To get the second instalment the apprentice must have at least one year (356 days) of training left to complete.
