Main News Feed Archives - Page 6 of 240

Help tackle one of construction’s biggest killers

by Clair Mooney | 18 Jun, 2026 | Main News Feed

Silica dust remains one of the most serious, and often overlooked, killers in construction. Every day, workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica, a hazard linked to life‑changing and fatal illnesses, yet awareness, training and consistency of control still vary widely across the industry. This exposure is causing irreparable damage with direct links to cardiovascular, autoimmune and cancer risks.

Research funded by CIOB, led by Dr Scott McGibbon and supported by FIS is working to change that. The project is already highlighting critical gaps in knowledge, skills, and behaviours around silica dust management, from understanding legal duties and health impacts, to applying effective control measures and monitoring exposure.

This is where you come in.

Your experience will directly shape practical tools, industry guidance and training interventions designed to improve how we assess, control and manage dust risk across our sector – protecting both workers and the public. The outputs will influence real-world practices, from site decision-making to leadership capability and compliance approaches.

Take 5 minutes. Make a real difference.

We need as many industry voices as possible to build a credible, evidence-led response to this issue.

Please complete the survey now: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/T008FM/
And if you can share it with colleagues or contacts in your network – this is important.

The stronger the response, the greater the impact this work can have and the more people that understand the risk the better it will be.

Let’s not accept harmful exposure to dust is “part of the job” or stand by whilst people don’t think ahead to the impact on them and others, help us drive meaningful change. Together we are stronger.

Meet your future workforce – Help needed at Skills Bootcamps

by Clair Mooney | 16 Jun, 2026 | Main News Feed

The skills shortage in the Finishes and Interiors Sector isn’t going away and addressing it will take a more joined-up, practical approach across our industry. That’s exactly what we’re working to deliver.

FIS has partnered with The Skills Centre to run a series of Skills Bootcamps designed to produce job-ready individuals who are trained, motivated, and ready to start work immediately.

Each candidate completes an intensive four-week programme, developed with industry input, combining hands-on training with the core practical skills required for dry lining and interior fit-out roles.

How you can get involved

We’re now looking for employers to support the next stage by helping these candidates transition into the workplace. You’ll be fully supported in structuring your involvement.

We’re seeking employers who can offer:

Interviews
Two-week work placements
Job opportunities

What you’ll gain

Early access to motivated, entry-level talent with relevant training
A direct pipeline into your workforce
Support in meeting social value and local employment commitments

When

You can visit and get involved during the following dates:

29 June and 10 July at the Build East Skills Centre – Bassett Lane, Stratford, London, E9 5EN

6 July, 10 July and 31 July at the Essex (Drylining Housing) – Unit 64, Horndon Industrial Estate, West Horndon, Brentwood CM13 3XD

This is a great opportunity to see the training in action, understand the process, and meet potential future employees.

We’re aiming to roll this model out more widely across the UK but its success depends on industry engagement.

If not you, who?

We need to build the workforce our sector needs – together.

If you’re interested in attending, or would like to learn more, please contact Marie at FIS marieflinter@thefis.org

FIS members question case for CITB–ECITB merger

by Clair Mooney | 16 Jun, 2026 | Main News Feed

FIS has submitted its response to the consultation on the proposed merger of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), reflecting feedback from employers across the finishes and interiors sector.

While members recognised the potential benefits of closer collaboration between the two organisations, including improved coordination of skills policy and workforce planning, there is limited support for the merger as currently proposed.

Members expressed concerns that a larger organisation could become more bureaucratic and less responsive to the needs of specialist sectors and SMEs. Questions were also raised around levy value, access to funding, employer engagement and whether structural change alone would improve outcomes for industry.

Feedback emphasised that any future training body must remain employer led, maintain strong representation for specialist sectors and demonstrate clear value for levy paying businesses.

The response concludes that improving performance, accountability and accessibility should take priority over organisational restructuring unless there is clear evidence that a merger will deliver measurable benefits for employers, apprentices and workforce development.

As part of its submission, FIS noted that while a merger may offer administrative efficiencies, members remain unconvinced that it would improve support for specialist sectors or increase the value employers receive from the levy.

Skills and employment pathways under scrutiny as NEET numbers rise

by Clair Mooney | 16 Jun, 2026 | Main News Feed

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

CLC Statement: Update on CLC work in relation to impact on UK Construction of planned Steel Tariffs and Quotas

by Iain McIlwee | 12 Jun, 2026 | Main News Feed, Material Shortages

As the 1 July implementation date for the Government planned steel tariffs and quotas approaches evidence from across the sector is raising concerns that the combined impact of the planned tariffs and quotas—compounded by ongoing cost pressures from the Iran conflict—presents severe and immediate risks to the UK construction industry. Therefore CLC is working to inform the Government of the key impacts and make proposals to address the issues.

The key impacts crystallising include:

Commercial impact: Structural steel prices have risen sharply. Market volatility has significantly increased, reducing the ability to forecast costs accurately and increasing commercial risk on lump-sum contracts.
Project viability: Evidence from the sector indicates that the proposed measures are already affecting scheme viability, with cost increases of 14–18% being reported on live projects and per-unit cost increases of up to £4,000 on residential developments which will further impact on the Government’s house building target.

Supply impact: The quota system creates significant risk of supply shortages for steel grades and section sizes where domestic mills are either at full capacity or do not manufacture the required products.
Critical issues for fabrication manufacturers: While the steel strategy is primarily intended to benefit the main producers, there are serious unintended consequences likely for the UK’s fabricated steel sector which employs approximately 60,000 in the UK. The fabricated sector estimates job losses of potentially 30,000 over the next 5-7 years should the tariffs and quotas be implemented as currently envisaged.
Lead time impact: Uncertainty around quota availability has already triggered “panic buying” behaviour, increasing short-term demand and extending procurement lead times. This volatility makes programme certainty increasingly difficult for contractors and clients.
Carbon impact: High tariffs on imported low-carbon steel may unintentionally force projects to procure more carbon-intensive domestic alternatives, with the potential to undermine project sustainability targets and embodied carbon reduction strategies.

Over the past two months and ongoing, we have been convening a CLC Industry Working Group on Steel Tariffs and Quotas to understand the impacts on UK construction of this trade measure. The work of this group has included input and feedback from a cross section of the industry affected by this including major manufacturers and suppliers, contractors and developers and related trade associations. The work of this group has been utilised to engage at ministerial level to raise these concerns. Further this group has engaged in online discussions and provided briefing notes to members of the DBT steel and construction teams to provide detail on the issues to assist their work.

Core to the recommendations being made has been to emphasise that CLC continues to welcome the Governments long-term commitment to supporting the steelmaking industry, however, that a balanced approach is necessary that safeguards the future of UK steelmaking (both (British-made and British-fabricated steel) and without unintentionally undermining the construction sector that depends on it. As part of this industry proposals have been put forward to address the issues being raised, these are:

It is recommended that fabricated and semi-finished steelwork should be included within the steel tariff and quotas framework from 01 July 2026.
Product categorisation should be re-considered, recognising UK manufacturing capability and capacity to prevent unnecessary price rises on products not produced here.
The schedule for the Government’s review of the tariffs and quotas should be brought forward from 12 months to 6 months to address the concern that impact of the tariffs and quotas will be felt much sooner and more severely by UK businesses than Government originally anticipated.

The CLC continues to work with Ministers and the Department for Business and Trade to highlight these concerns and seek solutions. We will keep you updated with progress.

For more information on managing inflation click here

A Brutal Week for insolvencies. How you need to react if impacted.

by Clair Mooney | 12 Jun, 2026 | Main News Feed, Transformation

In a brutal week for many in the finishes and interiors sector supply chain high-profile London sites have been closed as Ardmore Construction Group entered administration and Zentia (formerly Armstrong Ceilings) closed their doors. We look at how members need to react below.

What is administration?

Administration is when a company is given legal protection from creditors while an appointed administrator attempts to rescue the business or achieve a better outcome for creditors than liquidation would provide. During this time, creditors generally cannot pursue claims against the company without court permission. These two cases of administration will impact the supply chain in different ways so we have provided specific information below.

Support associated with any financial implication in either case is provided at the end of the article.

Ardmore Construction Group

More than 500 staff are expected to be affected by the collapse of the business. The business has had a long and drawn out court battle following concerns over possible liabilities linked to legacy residential projects undermined its ability to secure new work triggered a cash flow crunch. It is a significant test case for the Building Liability Order brought in through the Building Safety Act.

Businesses affected include Ardmore Major Projects, Ardmore Hotels & Commercial, Ardmore Regeneration, Ardmore Fitout and Landmark Facades. Ardmore was working on around 10 major projects across London and clients are now working to engage replacement contractors to complete schemes.

How to proceed if you have been impacted by the collapse of Ardmore:

It’s important to note that in cases like this, immediate payments to creditors are rare, except in exceptional circumstances. Most creditors will need to wait for the administration process to be completed, which can take time. Therefore, it’s crucial to manage expectations regarding cash flow.

If you believe you have exposure to Ardmore Construction Group, we would advise the following immediate actions:

Review your contracts. A key thing to look for is whether the contract is a Collateral Warranties, these are used to bridge the contractual gap and create a direct contractual link for the benefit of those parties that may otherwise have no recourse. Some collateral warranties can also contain ‘step-in’ rights which effectively allow the beneficiary to step in to the underlying contract and issue instructions. Under a simple contract should the main contractor of a project fall into insolvency the subcontractor will be under no contractual obligation to accept instructions from the employer to complete the works given there exists no contractual relationship. The use of a collateral warranty in this instance creates a direct contractual link allowing the employer to give instructions to the subcontractor, ensuring completion of the latter’s obligations is achieved.

Assess any ongoing work: determine the stage of each project and identify any outstanding deliverables. Submit any outstanding applications.

Document all work completed to date. Take detailed photographs, videos and notes as this documentation will be crucial for any future claims or negotiations.

Recovering Tools, Plant and Materials. The retrieval of equipment and / or materials will not be a matter for the Administrators and should be arranged directly between customers and any applicable contractor. Contact should be made with the client to arrange a time to visit your project sites to retrieve any tools, equipment or materials that belong to you. Ensure you have documented proof of ownership for any assets you remove to prevent any disputes – this is particularly the case with materials where ownership may be less clear. Additional guidance covering what to do with materials stored on site.

Do not pursue unauthorised actions such as attempting to remove materials or equipment that are not legally yours. Also, ensure you do not cause any damage to the sites or completed works.

Prepare your financial records by compiling a comprehensive list of all outstanding invoices, including amounts due, due dates and any retention sums. Keep records of all communications and transactions related to your projects for reference.

Get a grip on Cash flow: Do a detailed cashflow forecast, given the likely delays and possibility of defaulted payments, consider all your options and GET PROFESSIONAL HELP if required. Through your membership of FIS you have access to specialist financial advice and BABR have offered additional interim advice here.

Renegotiations: Speak to other clients and suppliers to potentially renegotiate payment terms or request upfront payments to help cover any cash flow gaps.

Clients will hopefully be looking to appoint a contractor to replace Ardmore Construction and what the intention is to honour any payments for work completed by the client.

How will step-in rights be managed: Step in rights are usually drafted to give the beneficiary (often the employer or a funder) the right to step in at its option into the contractor’s shoes in the building contract. The employer doesn’t have to and may seek alternative options as it exposes the party stepping in to take responsibility for outstanding payments to the party providing the warranty and also the responsibility of being the contractor.

As an alternative, it is common for arrangements to be made (with agreement of all the parties including the contractor and its insolvency providers) to make direct payment to the subcontractors. In this case new direct contracts between the employer and the subcontractors or between the replacement contractor and the subcontractors may be presented. These are likely to be similar terms, but not necessarily identical terms, to the original subcontracts. Any agreement for outstanding payment and arrangement with respect to warranties would be covered in this appointment. If you have had design input, be clear on any Intellectual Property (IP) that will be taken forward in the project. Ensure that you have not ceded rights in your contract with Ardmore Construction Group.

Re-tendering work: If you are asked to re-tender ensure this takes into account any IP related input that you may have had on the project and assumptions are emphasised in your tender documents.

Ensure that you are clear on the contractual terms for any reappointment: don’t assume they will be the same or even that the contracts won’t be terminated and work re-tendered. Check the wording of any contracts for onerous high-risk clauses. Be particularly watchful of any change in design responsibilities or compliance clauses, and that you are not taking any responsibility for any design work carried out by another contractors. FIS contract reviewers are offering additional pro bono support to members impacted by the failure of Ardmore Construction Group. Additional advice on the novation process.

Collateral Warranties, caution advised: If you are asked to sign a Collateral Warranty ensure that you get legal advice (you can access free legal advice via the FIS Helpline). Sometimes contractors ask for these at a later date (if obligation is not in the contract) and there may be commercial reasons why a subcontractor would still be prepared to provide a collateral warranty (or may ask for extra payment for doing so) but you are not obliged to do so. Remember this gives a third party a contractual right to bring a claim against you for breach of your contractual obligations. Without a collateral warranty there is no direct contractual link.

Timings: Ensure that you have a clear understanding of when the expected recommencement date is and factor this into your pricing accordingly.

Status of woks: Make sure that any previous works are inspected and any defects identified. Even if it is your work, things may have changed since you left the site.

Managing Risk: Remember it is appropriate to seek reassurance that the funding is in place to complete the project and if any bonds or project bank accounts are being deployed to protect the supply chain. FIS members can access free credit checks email FIS team for a one-off or access to the portal. info@thefos.org

If you are unsure – check. FIS offers access to expert legal advisors, consultants, contract reviewers and financial advisors – many of whom have offered pro bono support to members impacted by the failure of Ardmore Construction Group.

Zentia Limited

Acoustic ceiling manufacturer Zentia has entered administration, resulting in the loss of 170 jobs, with its Gateshead-based entities Zentia Limited and Zentia Profiles previously generating a combined turnover of more than £50 million.

How to proceed if you have been impacted by the Zentia administration:

With respect to companies impacted by Zentia, FIS has been consulting with legal advisors and will get a more detailed guidance out on Monday.

Principal areas of concern involve the availability of alternatives, warranty considerations, the impact on design and design liability and any associated cost of delays.

In the interim, members are reminded that If the replacement product offers the same standard of performance and doesn’t result in a change of design, notification of change in specification is still important. Any change should be approved through the proper process (through Designers and Principal Designers) as per contractual conditions,

If the project is being undertaken in a Higher Risk Building it may be either a notifiable matter or a full change control request if it could be considered a major change under Reg 26(1)(a) and (b) HRB Procedures Regs. There is a long prescriptive list that automatically classify the matter as a major change. A Fire Rated Ceiling would likely be considered a major change as it would be considered “a change to any part of the active fire safety measures or passive fire safety measures”.

For more detail on what constitutes a major or notifiable change and how to manage the process accordingly click here.

Early consultation with client is essential. See FIS website on Monday for further details.

Financial Advice and Support

If you are negatively impacted and need help navigating the financial impact on you or your business The Money Advice Trust is a charity which helps prevent financial difficulty and removes problem debt from people’s lives.

The charity runs National Debtline and Business Debtline, providing free, impartial and expert advice by phone, webchat and online.

National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 | www.nationaldebtline.org

Business Debtline: 0800 197 6026 | www.businessdebtline.org

If you have been affected by collapse of Ardmore Construction Group, The Money Advice Trust is available to support individuals to prevent financial difficulty and remove problem debt from people’s lives. More details and how to access advice is given below.

About the Money Advice Trust

The Money Advice Trust is a charity which helps prevent financial difficulty and removes problem debt from people’s lives.
The charity runs National Debtline and Business Debtline, providing free, impartial and expert advice by phone, webchat and online.
National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 | www.nationaldebtline.org
Business Debtline: 0800 197 6026 | www.businessdebtline.org

Specialist FIS Helpline for financial matters

FIS has a telephone helpline established for businesses in distress or requiring advice on finance, payment or insolvency matters, this is delivered through legal advisors in terms of general advice and specific support is available via payment, finance and insolvency experts BABR, for more details click here.

If you have been impacted, please do contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email iainmcilwee@thefis.org with outline details and we’ll do what we can. We are here to help.