News
Strong construction demand but supply hit by perfect storm
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has revised construction output growth up for 2021 from 13.7% to 14.3% since its previous forecasts, but also revised down growth for 2022 from 6.3% to 4.8% in 2022. With more buoyant demand so far in 2021, supply chain...
CLC to use COP26 to broker agreement to deliver net zero in the built environment
As the world prepares for COP26, the time for action and concrete agreement to reduce carbon emissions and invest in our future is now. Government and industry have a crucial opportunity to agree tangible commitments, benefitting future generations across the world....
Construction Leadership Council future proofs COVID-19 contracts guide
A refreshed suite of guidance on managing COVID-19 within construction contracts has been published by the Business Model workstream of the Construction Leadership Council. The updated documents now include revised information on future-proofing JCT / NEC amendments...
£3000 incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice extended
Earlier this month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, announced that the £3000 incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice will be extended until the end January 2022. For apprentices with an employment start date from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021 Employers must apply by...
Are you aware of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund?
The Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) is a Scottish Government initiative that enables employers to address priority skills and skills gaps in their organisation by accessing funding to create training programmes that meet their needs. These programmes can be...
Competences required by principal contractors
The BSI has launched a consultation on Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 8672, which aims to establish the competences required by Principal Contractors, and individuals designated by them, to meet their responsibilities under new building safety legislation. It...
Government not moving to ‘Plan B’ but public urged to remain vigilant
In light of rising COVID‐19 case numbers, Health Secretary Sajid Javid gave a press conference on Wednesday and urged people to get vaccinated and take precautions against the virus, including meeting outdoors, wearing masks in crowded enclosed spaces, and taking...
Long Covid safety-critical roles checklist
The CICV Forum, in which FIS is actively involved, has produced an advice document offering a practical checklist that will help employers identify and help safety-critical workers who may be suffering from the ongoing effects of Long Covid. Long Covid is a condition...
New Net Zero Strategy for decarbonising the UK economy
Ahead of the COP 26 summit next week, the Government has published a Net Zero Strategy setting out how the UK will reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Strategy sets out an economy-wide plan for how British businesses and consumers will be assisted in making the...