A summary of the data from the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI® for May revealed that construction growth rebounded to a 17-month high in May, driven by housebuilding.
Other key findings include:
To view the full report, click here.
To help us attack the skills gap and engage our younger audience, we are looking for images that represent our members’ best works on site; exceptional stand-out projects that you are particularly proud of, operations in action shots, young people working with your specialists, even the technical support staff – including women – delivering off-site business growth.
FIS Skills want to show the world of finishes and interiors in all its finery to the next generation of interior systems specialists.
Full credit will be given to you on Instagram. All we ask is for a brief description of the project and any additional information of the people within the images.
To make your submissions please email Project Manager Amanda Scott: amandascott@thefis.org
The major political parties have revealed their manifestos for the general election on 8 June. For the construction sector,
the three top concerns are the impact of Brexit, housing and infrastructure.
With nearly 200,000 EU workers in the UK, the industry is unanimous in its demand for the incoming government to make it a priority to guarantee the status of existing EU nationals currently working in the UK and then implement a migration system that ensures the industry continues to attract talent from the EU and across the world. The housing crisis is an ongoing issue with the construction industry calling on all the parties to pledge to increase housebuilding as well as focus on the quality and delivery of newly built homes. The NFB has welcomed measures to increase opportunities for SME house builders but maintained that land, along with finance and planning, remains an issue for small builders. Continued infrastructure investment is also top of most organisations’ wish list for any future government.
Labour is “declaring war” on late payments and will demand that all bidders for government contracts pay their own suppliers in 30 days. The Tories are proposing a similar policy, which would mean that businesses that don’t abide by the Prompt Payment Code will lose the right to bid for government contracts. Also, the Tories are pledging to make one-third of their purchases from SMEs by the end of the next parliament.
The Lib Dems want to double the number of businesses that hire apprentices, to develop national colleges to deliver high-level vocational skills and to increase advice in schools about entrepreneurship and self-employment. They will also encourage all schools to participate more with businesses.
Labour wants to create a National Education Service for England, double the number of completed apprenticeships at NVQ level 3 by 2022, and protect funding to SMEs that hire apprentices. The Conservatives are planning to launch new vocational qualifications called T-levels covering 15 subjects including construction, creative and design, digital, engineering and manufacturing, health and science. They also plan to establish new institutes of technology in every major city in England. They have also reaffirmed a commitment to deliver three million apprenticeships by 2020.
The survey was carried out jointly by Construction Manager and Health and Safety at Work, the magazine of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management. Whilst the principles of CDM 2015 are struggling to be embedded into the industry, working methods established under CDM 2007 and CDM 1994 have proved remarkably resilient, according to the survey.
Survey respondents commented that:
Less than half (46%) of respondents rated today’s compliance with CDM 2015 as good or excellent, compared to the 53% who thought that about CDM 2007. Among the 106 members of the Association for Project Safety (APS) in the sample, there was more scepticism: the recalled compliance rate under CDM 2007 was 56%, while current compliance was put at 43%.
Read the full article here.
The CDM 2015 documents can be found on our website here.
The growth prospects of construction SMEs are being potentially stalled due to late payments, according to research commissioned by Crossflow Payments, the Fintech platform delivering supply chain finance solutions.
The findings also come against the backdrop of the introduction (6 April 2017) of new government obligations requiring large businesses to publicly report on their payment practice to suppliers. Although this starts to quantify the problem at an individual corporate level, including whether they use supply chain finance solutions, it serves as a reminder of the need for further progress to be made in ensuring SMEs are able to receive prompt payment from customers.
Of construction SMEs surveyed, an average 15.4% of the annual turnover was subject to late payment in 2016, equivalent to an estimated £22.6 billion for the sector as a whole. Eleven of 25 of small construction companies who receive payment late for invoices admit payment is regularly late by more than ten days, and a quarter says that they receive payment for invoices late.
The findings convey the economic opportunity at stake if construction SMEs are able to boost their working capital by receiving payment for invoices quicker, with tangible business benefits identified by businesses.
Over a fifth, (21%) of construction SMEs surveyed said they would increase marketing and sales budgets, while 21% said they would hire more staff, and another 18% said they would increase the wages of existing staff.
About Crossflow Payments
Crossflow Payments is a technology-driven alternative finance platform delivering an innovative supply chain finance solution to large corporates and their suppliers. Its unique payment platform improves working capital for businesses whilst providing SMEs with instant access to finance against their outstanding invoices without the need for onerous personal guarantees.
The National Interior Specialists Training Group (NISTG) has secured funding to supplement the cost of some training for FIS members. Simply send your invoice to erikaskinner@thefis.org and we will refund 50% of the course cost (up to a maximum value of £250 per delegate, £1,000 per company). See the full terms and conditions below.
Funding is available for the following range of courses:
As a guide, the grant funds most of the courses that are supported through CITB training plan grant. For example:
Terms and conditions