by Clair Mooney | 18 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
The energy market has seen some big developments in recent weeks, with new charges and increased grid costs set to impact all businesses.
To help cut through the noise, FIS Associate Member Enexus Energy, has created a jargon-free guide that explains:
- The new Nuclear RAB levy (what it is, how much it costs, and when it starts)
- Why TNUoS transmission charges are rising much more than expected
- The potential impact on standing charges and existing contracts
- What options may be available to help mitigate the increases
These are complex changes that have a lot of different variables. But broadly speaking, businesses will see an increase in standing charges for fixed contracts from 2026 onwards.
If you are interested in reviewing your energy, Enexus is offering FIS members a free energy health check to help save money, boost efficiency, and plan ahead with confidence. You can find out more about this offer at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/enexus/
by Clair Mooney | 17 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
Local Government East (LGE) is seeking to understand micro / small businesses experiences of working with councils, or their reasons for choosing not to trade with them.
This short survey, which will only take two minutes of your time and is completely anonymous, will help LGE understand how they can remove barriers for small/ micro businesses accessing public sector business.
Over 95% of all registered UK companies are small or micro businesses. These businesses make an essential contribution to the prosperity of local communities and we would urge everyone to make their voice heard
The survey link is here and responses are required by Friday 3 October 2025.
by Iain McIlwee | 11 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
by Iain McIlwee | 27 Aug, 2025 | Main News Feed
On 1st July 2025 Build UK published Version 5 of the
Common Assessment Standard (CAS). Significantly the
Building Safety section, introduced in 2024, will now become
mandatory for all FIS Members undertaking regulated design or building work (not just Higher Risk Buildings).
Principal Contractors are advising that Specialist Contractors in their supply chain should have successfully completed the Building Safety section by 1 October 2025.
What does this mean to FIS Members?
If your company is already CAS certified through one of the recognised Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) providers (e.g CHAS, Constructionline, Achilles etc), you will need to complete the new mandatory Building Safety question set as part of the updated overall question set the next time you renew or go through the certification process with a Recognised Assessment Body.
The Common Assessment Standard continues to gain traction across public and private sector clients as a key tool to demonstrate organisational capability and compliance under the Building Safety Act. Certification is required only once via any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies, and businesses are encouraged to review their current accreditations to avoid duplication and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in pre-qualification.
FIS has (since Version 5 was published) been invited to join the working group that sets the standards so members are encouraged to feed any concerns or observations around the existing questions to jamesparlour@thefis.org.
FIS also hosts a mirror group that is, as well as reviewing and feeding into the assessment criteria, helping create resources and guidance to support members in completing this section including an Integrated Management Standard, a Template Building Safety Policy and a range of resources and guidance designed to help complete key questions.
Don’t Duplicate, Data Share!
The Common Assessment Standard is being used by a growing number of organisations across the industry to demonstrate that members of their supply chains have the organisational capability to fulfil their duties under the Building Safety Act. Pagabo and Structure Tone are the latest to specify it, and a full list is on the Build UK website.
Companies that have the Common Assessment Standard from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies do not need to obtain certification from any others. Instead, they can agree to share their data at no cost with the other Recognised Assessment Bodies so it is visible to more Contractors and Clients. Don’t duplicate: anyone wishing to see a reduction in the bureaucracy of pre-qualification should be sharing their data rather than getting the Common Assessment Standard from multiple Recognised Assessment Bodies. Giving permission to share your data is quick and simple and will help businesses across the supply chain to save time and money and win work.
If you have been certified through the Common Assessment Standard are being asked to use a specific PQQ procedure, FIS has prepared some specific wording to send to the company requesting and a whistle blowing process to help ensure that companies are not required to hold multiple accreditations.
by Oscar Venus | 22 Aug, 2025 | Main News Feed
From 1 September 2025, the new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence will take effect, placing greater responsibility on large companies to ensure they have adequate procedures in place to deter and detect fraudulent activity.
The legislation is particularly relevant to the construction sector, which is considered to face a higher risk of fraud. Companies that fail to implement robust compliance procedures could find themselves exposed to significant legal and reputational consequences.
Our legal partners at Pinsent Masons have published a detailed article to help businesses understand the implications of the new offence and prepare effectively.
by Oscar Venus | 22 Aug, 2025 | Main News Feed
Recruiting the next generation is vital if we are to maintain a strong pipeline of talent in our sector. One of the most effective ways to showcase the opportunities our industry has to offer is by getting involved in Open Doors, and the countdown to Open Doors 2026 is already underway.
Taking place across the UK from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March 2026, Open Doors will once again give young people, educators, and career changers a chance to go behind the scenes and see the diverse and rewarding careers available in construction.
To help members prepare, FIS will be supporting the Open Doors Coordinators Meeting on Thursday 11 September, 2:00pm – 3:00pm. This session will set out plans for #OpenDoors26, highlight the benefits of getting involved following the record success of Open Doors 2025, and answer any questions. With the backing of the Open Doors Partners network, members will also be guided on how to get ready to register events when the Open Doors website opens for submissions on Monday 6 October 2025.
Your nominated Open Doors Coordinators should already have received an invitation. Please confirm your attendance to ensure your organisation is represented and ready to play its part in inspiring the next generation.
For more information on Open Doors, visit the Open Doors website.
