The latest CLC People Survey is now live! Build UK is responsible for collating the results and we would be extremely grateful if all members could find 10 minutes to complete the online survey to help us measure the impact of coronavirus on the construction workforce one year on.
The deadline for responses is Friday 16 April and the results will help us to prioritise support for the sector.
Since the Grenfell Tower fire, companies in the construction industry have found it increasingly difficult to secure appropriate and affordable Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance. A recent CLC survey found that average premium rates were nearly four times higher at last renewal compared to the year before, and almost a third of companies were unable to buy the cover they want or need. Over 60% of companies had some form of restriction on their cover relating to cladding or fire safety, with the result that a third were prevented from undertaking remediation work on unsafe cladding.
To help the industry, Build UK has published a guide to PI insurance which provides an overview of what it is, why it is needed, and how it can be obtained in the current market.
FIS is reviewing options and has established a working group to look at provision in the Finishes and Interiors Sector, if you want to find out more about this work, please email iainmcilwee@thefis.org of call Iain on 07792 959 481.
The Prime Minister confirmed earlier this week that further coronavirus restrictions will be lifted as planned from next Monday 12 April, after the data confirmed that the Government’s ‘four tests’ had been met. He also confirmed that regular testing will be an essential part of ‘reclaiming a more normal way of life’ and everyone in England will be encouraged to take a free COVID‐19 test twice a week from this Friday (9 April) as part of a nationwide testing programme which includes:
Individuals taking lateral flow tests at home will have to register their results online and must self‐isolate if positive and get a PCR test to confirm the result.
Any members interested in offering workplace testing must register by Monday 12 April, and Build UK has produced a guide on how to set up and run a workplace test site.
After marking the anniversary of its first-ever meeting, key members of Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum have revealed their personal highlights of working together for the ever-expanding collective.
The unique collaboration of trade associations, professional bodies, companies and individuals has helped guide the industry and public through a year of massive upheaval with a wealth of information and unrivalled teamwork.
And as the Forum celebrated the anniversary of its first meeting on 5 April 2020 by releasing an updated round-up of its accomplishments over the last 12 months, many members said their most fervent wish is for this spirit of togetherness to continue.
Alan Wilson, CICV Forum Chair and Managing Director of electrical trade association SELECT, said: “When the idea of the Forum was first mooted, I don’t think that anyone could have imagined the way in which the concepts of collaboration, cooperation and commitment would be so quickly translated into action.
“The many distinct strands of the sector have come together as never before with one common goal – ensuring that not only do we survive this dreadful pandemic, but that we come out of it stronger and more positive than before. For me, that has been the undoubted highlight.”
Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, echoed the sentiment, saying: “It was quite remarkable how, once the Forum was established, people were queuing up to come aboard, wanting to help and contribute their skills and expertise. It really did show that we are #InThisTogether.
“The highlight for me is that organisations are still eager to join and sit alongside other senior representatives who operate the length and breadth of Scotland’s built environment supply chain.”
For other members of the Forum, highlights covered a wide range of areas from the past 12 months, including the influence the group has achieved, the quality of the information that’s been shared and the accessibility of the guidance and advice offered.
John McKinney, Scotland Manager of the NFRC, said: “For me, what was so pleasing was how quickly it became clear that the Forum was speaking for the entire sector, and with that weight of influence behind it, was soon viewed as a valuable and influential voice for the industry.
“I have been heartened to see how rapidly we gained a place at the top decision-making tables and could speak authoritatively, listen constructively and act decisively with the Scottish Government, local government and other major bodies about the most pressing matters as the pandemic progressed.”
Rebecca Crosland, Head of Health & Safety at the Building and Engineering Services Association (BESA), said: “My highlight has been seeing how, at a time of uncertainty and confusion, the expertise of Forum members has helped create a strong pipeline of relevant, practical and easy-to-understand information.
“Over the course of the year, we have regularly produced guidance documents with a wealth of health and safety advice to keep workers, clients and the public safe, and will continue to provide updated guidance as we progress down the route map to recovery.”
Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of the Finishes and Interiors Sector, echoed her sentiments, saying: “I was delighted to see the quick realisation that any information had to be disseminated in a simple, easily digestible form which would resonate throughout the hugely disparate elements of the sector.
“The resulting high points have been many, but I’ve really enjoyed the animations on domestic working, returning to work safely, physical distancing and face coverings that, like much of the guidance, has been adopted across Scotland and beyond.”
For other members of the Forum, the highlights have included its free webinars, the important papers produced, the unanimity in seeking the common good and the considered and thoughtful visions for the future.
Len Bunton, construction consultant and co-Chair of the Forum’s Pipeline and Commercial Sub-Group, saluted the wide range of open-source online sessions hosted by the Forum. He said: “My personal highlight has been the wealth of free essential commercial advice that’s been delivered, including vital information on payments and contracts.
“The Forum’s list of webinars illustrates how these talks, all presented by renowned industry experts, offered clear and relevant guidance to today’s construction professionals.”
Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), said: “In the past, construction has been seen as competitive and confrontational, so it was enormously encouraging to see how people pooled resources to produce a range of expert analysis and advice on helping the sector.
“This unique collaboration has not only given the industry an authoritative common voice, it has also resulted in a wide range of papers that have been shared with powers-that-be to inform and enlighten them about the true state of the sector and the futures towards which it is striving. For me, that is a significant highlight of a truly eventful year.”
Vaughan Hart, Managing Director of the Scottish Building Federation, and co-chair of the Forum’s Skills and Workforce sub-group, said: “Perhaps it has taken an emergency of almost inconceivable proportions to pull the industry together, but whatever the reason, the result has been nothing short of excellent and is undoubtedly a high point for me.
“I am hearted to see that, for the first time, this is the sector speaking with one voice, for the greater good not only of its component parts, but for the future health of the sector as a whole and for the future benefit of the country and the wider economy.”
Grahame Barn, Chief Executive of CECA Scotland, agreed with his compatriot, adding: “A year ago, the construction industry in Scotland suffered a convulsion which, in the days before COVID-19 would have been unimaginable.
“My highlight has been the willingness of so many people to offer practical and constructive ways to keep alive a vitally important sector that is a major economic multiplier, employs 175,000 people and contributes £21.5 billion to GDP.”
The final word went to Hew Edgar, Associate Director of Policy at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), who said: “As a direct result of our communications and interactions with the industry, the highlight for me has been our collective vision for the future.
“After the initial Blueprint for our Industry, I was proud to be involved in the creation of the recent CICV Forum Manifesto, which highlights the issues that an incoming government in Scotland needs to address after the Holyrood elections next month (May).
“It has been a productive, useful and surprising year, but the industry can be assured that the Forum will continue to outline practical measures we can all take to build a better future.”
Made up of more than 70 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, the CICV Forum was formed in March 2020 and held its first meeting on 5 April. Since then, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, hosting webinars and holding regular discussions with the Scottish Government.
From 6 April, companies with 10 or more employees who cannot work from home will be able to order home test kits for their employees where it is not possible to set up a testing site in the workplace.
The deadline to register for workplace testing has been extended until Monday 12 April 2021. Build UK has produced a useful guide summarising the process.
Access all the latest Covid-19 updates in our Covid Hub.
Major contractors now adopting the Common Assessment Standard
Build UK has announced that the new industry-wide pre-qualification (PQ) system is now fully up and running, simplifying a complex system for the benefit of everyone in the construction sector. The rollout of the Common Assessment Standard will significantly reduce the duplication of time, effort and resources that are costing the sector up to £1 billion a year.
Major contractors and clients – including Balfour Beatty, Costain, HS2, Mace, Multiplex and Skanska – have all adopted the Common Assessment Standard meaning that members of their supply chains will need to obtain just one certification to tender for work with them. This follows the recent implementation of a new data sharing solution, which enables contractors and clients to obtain key PQ data from any one of three Recognised Assessment Bodies: Achilles, CHAS or Constructionline.
The Common Assessment Standard is an industry-agreed question set with two levels of certification – desktop and site-based – and companies can apply to any Recognised Assessment Body to get the appropriate level dependent upon their trade, size and requirements of their clients.
Created by Build UK with the support of CECA, the Common Assessment Standard is endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), which is actively seeking its adoption throughout Government construction procurement, including the Construction Playbook.
Jo Fautley, Deputy Chief Executive of Build UK, said: “We’re delighted that the new system is now fully up and running and already being used by major contractors and clients. It’s been a collaborative effort, involving companies across the whole sector, and the new system is a huge step towards more efficient working, which is more important than ever in the current challenging economic climate.”
Neil Mant, Chair of the Interim Cross Industry Body, which has overseen the development of the new system, said: “The new PQ system is a huge step forward for construction. With a single Common Assessment Standard and data sharing now in place, we have not only eliminated a huge amount of costly duplication of effort but also raised the bar in assessing the competence of the supply chain. Supply chain companies will need certification from only one of the three Recognised Assessment Bodies, and contractors can continue to deal with the body they have an existing relationship with.”
Andy Mitchell, Chair of the CLC, said: “The CLC is delighted to endorse the Common Assessment Standard which is set to transform the construction PQ process. It is a real and practical way of reducing bureaucracy and improving quality in the industry and it comes at just the right time. Companies will be able to demonstrate that they meet an agreed industry standard, and clients and contractors will be able to rely on the certification. The CLC will be encouraging the adoption of the Common Assessment Standard throughout public and private sector procurement.”
