News
Stark Warning in Government Response to FIS on Building Safety Blame
Government has made it clear that it is lining up changes to the Defective Premises Act and Section 38 of the Building Act 1984 to ensure the construction sector is "held to account for building safety issues". In a letter to FIS, the Department for Levelling Up,...
Government introduces temporary change to fit notes
The government has introduced temporary changes to the rules on the requirement for employees to provide proof of sickness to try to reduce the workload of GP’s as they focus on the booster vaccination programme. Where an employee goes off sick on or after 10 December...
New CSCS Smart Check app to revolutionise card verification procedures
A new app, developed by the 38 card schemes displaying the CSCS logo, is set to radically improve the construction industry’s card checking procedures and site safety. The CSCS Smart Check app represents a major step forward as, for the first time, all 2.1 million...
Regulation Update: All new buildings to produce nearly a third less carbon
New buildings in England will have to produce significantly less CO2 under new rules announced by the government to help the country move towards net zero. Under the new regulations, CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards...
Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero
In December 2020, the Scottish Government published its “update to the climate change plan 2018-2032 – securing a green recovery on a path to net zero”. Scotland has committed to green recovery from Covid-19 in order to capture the opportunities for a transition to...
FIS responds to HSE issues warnings ahead of Building Safety Bill
As part of work underway to establish a new Building Safety Regulator and reform the building safety system, HSE is urging those who design high-rise buildings to act now to prepare for the changes coming when the Building Safety Bill becomes law. The Building Safety...
Inspiring Change – A Matter of Respect
Last month I signed up to attend the Inspiring Change Event in London – the focus, creating a fair and inclusive environment in construction centred on respect. It is vital subject on so many levels not least because we have a HUGE skills and labour shortage, but also...
Should I have a COVID Vaccination Policy?
FIS has been asked a number of times about whether it is acceptable to either mandate employees to have the vaccination or to ask whether workers, in the face of potential issues with self-isolation, have been vaccinated in order to support their ongoing risk...
Apprentice employer incentive payments extended
The government's offer of up to £4,000 for each apprentice a company employs has been extended at least until the end of March 2022. In addition, CITB is still paying training grants to cover travel and accommodation, as well as training fees, for the apprentices...