News
Cyber Security: New Cyber Aware Campaign
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), together with Cabinet Office, DCMS and Home Office, has recently launched the latest phase of its Cyber Aware campaign. This included, on Friday 26 Feb, a self-assessment tool on the website to help sole traders and micro...
Compliance and Competency
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia will deliver a seminar as part of UK Construction Week on 9 March to discuss Compliance and Comptetency. Specifiers who choose to use companies that are ‘Code Compliant’ can be assured that the claims made about a product are clear,...
A List of Commonly Asked Questions about Reverse Charge VAT
With the Domestic Reverse Charge VAT now in place, HMRC have produced a list of frequently asked questions. FIS members are reminded to pay particular attention to use of intermediaries such as agencies and payroll companies to understand the implications of VAT...
Brexit Update: Simplified Guide to Rules of Origin
What are Rules of Origin? Rules of Origin determine the economic nationality of a good under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Businesses need to know about them because the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) means they can trade with the EU without paying tariffs –...
When can we expect a return to the Office/Workplace
As lockdown starts to ease, we look at what the guidance is for non-site-based work in the sector. Whilst the overall National effort and the flexibility shown by individuals has been nothing short of amazing, concerns are being raised that it is difficult to do many...
National Skills Fund – fully funded Level 3 qualifications for over 24’s
From April 2021, any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to a technical certificate or diploma, will be able to access almost 400 fully funded courses. The qualification list will be updated each...
New economic report will help Forum assist with green recovery in Scotland
The CICV Forum (supported by FIS) has published an in-depth report aimed at helping public bodies make decisions on where public funding in construction gives the highest economic returns to help support a green recovery. The report, carried out by Fraser of Allander...
Lockdown Easing and Workplace COVID‐19 Testing
The Prime Minister has confirmed the Government’s four‐step plan for a ‘cautious’ route out of lockdown in England. The current restrictions will be gradually relaxed, beginning with schools and colleges reopening from 8 March, and four specific tests will need to be...
HS&E test price increase
On 1 April 2021 CITB will be increasing the price of the Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test products by £1. This price increase was delayed by a year due to COVID-19. It will ensure that CITB can continue to invest in the test, so that it remains up to...