Main News Feed Archives - Page 79 of 207

Action to take for positive lateral flow device test at home

by Clair Mooney | 26 Mar, 2021 | Main News Feed

The Government has confirmed that anyone who gets a positive result from a lateral flow device (LFD) test undertaken at home should get a PCR test to confirm the result. However, in the event of a positive result from an LFD test undertaken at a test site, a follow up PCR test is not required and the individual and anyone they live with must self‐isolate from 10 days from the date of the test.

Build UK has published a guide to the Government’s workplace testing programme, which provides an overview of the LFD testing process and the steps required to set up a test site. Members interested in offering workplace testing must register via the Government’s online portal by next Wednesday 31 March and tests will then be provided free of charge until the end of June.

Extended site hours to continue

by Clair Mooney | 26 Mar, 2021 | Main News Feed

The Written Ministerial Statement by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick permitting extended site working hours has been extended until 30 September 2021. The statement makes it clear that local planning authorities in England should not refuse requests to extend working hours on construction sites up to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, without very compelling reasons. In some cases, such as in areas without residential properties, 24‐hour working may be justified.

Requests should be made to the local planning authority which should aim to issue a decision within 10 working days, and the Government has published FAQs with further information.

FIS gathering data on immigration and potential labour shortages

by Iain McIlwee | 25 Mar, 2021 | Labour, Main News Feed

To support ongoing engagement with the Home Office and the wider sector FIS is tracking the impact of changes to the labour market.

FIS has repeatedly raised concerns that interior systems installers (dryliners, ceiling fixers, partitions installers etc) have not been included as an eligible occupation for the skilled worker route in the new UK Points Based Immigration System and that no construction workers have been included on the shortage occupation list. This omission means that from the 1st July, if an EU worker (excluding Ireland) has not applied to work in the UK through the Settlement Scheme, they will not be eligible to work.

Across the sector, at the start of 2020, it is estimated that the workforce relied on some 40% of trade operatives from the EU. As a consequence of these changes, the annual recruitment target for UK national has doubled, putting huge strain on the training infrastructure (particularly against the background of COVID-19) and for every 5% of EU workers that opt not to return to work in the UK or continue working in the the UK beyond the 1st July we see this target double again.

With reports of Labour Shortages already as things start to pick up in 2021, we are calling on companies in the sector to complete our short market survey.

Please complete the survey here.
For labour support issues, such as preparing for Right to Work Checks and communications around the EU Settlement Scheme click here
To find out about our dedicated recruitment and induction programmes and benefit from the support of the Kickstart (funding to support new starters) or Buildback (Specialist Upskilling Programme for Drylining) click here
To support the FIS in our ongoing efforts on behalf of the Finishes and Interiors Sector, find out about joining or referring other companies into membership here

Construction Leadership Council sets out 2021 strategy

by Clair Mooney | 24 Mar, 2021 | Main News Feed

CLC has set out its mid-term strategy, which provides more detail on:

Vision and strategic priorities
The CLC’s delivery plan
How the CLC works
How the industry can get involved

In particular, the strategy sets out one year and three year plans against our priority themes, focused particularly on Building Safety and the Race to Net Zero Carbon.

A summary of outline work plans for the CLC’s workstreams and highlights of recent industry engagement is also given in the strategy.

The strategy can be found here.

Trade Credit Insurance guidance updated

by Clair Mooney | 24 Mar, 2021 | Insurance, Main News Feed

CLC guidance on trade credit insurance during COVID-19 has been updated to reflect the latest financial information to provide brokers and underwriters.

The checklist has be refreshed to reflect current information requirements on financial performance.

Read the full guidance here.

Applications for Covid business loans close on 31 March

by Clair Mooney | 23 Mar, 2021 | Main News Feed

Applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back Loan Scheme will close on 31 March.

The new Recovery Loan Scheme offering Government‐backed loans of up to £10 million per business will launch on 6 April and remain open until 31 December.