News
Sombre warning from the CLC: Claims and Disputes in Construction
As the pandemic continues and a further lockdown in place, there remains a real concern that parties to construction contracts will become embroiled in costly and long-running disputes over the effects of COVID-19 on projects. This is reflected in the latest report...
FIS Updates Guide to Taking on an Apprentice
In light of latest changes and new support through the Government’s Plan for Jobs, FIS has updated the FIS Guide to Taking on an Apprentice. This simple guide is designed to support businesses in taking that vital first step in taking on an apprentice. It sets out...
Returning to the UK: New COVID new testing requirements
With around 40% of workers in the Finishes and Interiors Sector migrating to the UK to work or for those who managed to escape for a Christmas holiday overseas, many will be set to return this week. Here FIS provides a quick summary on advice for returning in a...
New Construction Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP takes the helm in a reshuffle
Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP has been appointed Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth and her portfolio will include Construction, she replaces Kwasi Kwarteng MP who was standing in for Nadhim Zahawi MP (who is currently overseeing England’s vaccine roll-out). ...
Duty to Report: An employer must report an instance if 5 workers test positive
Employers must review risk assessments to ensure they remain suitable and sufficient. Where COVID-19 is a risk in the workplace, it must form part of the risk assessment. If there are 5 or more COVID-19 cases in 14 days in a workplace, employers should contact their...
Reassurance that Construction is to continue from the new Secretary of State
The new Business Secretary, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, has today written an open letter to the Construction Sector. In the letter he has restated the Government position, which is that firms and tradespeople in the construction sector and its supply chain, including...
ICO Advice for organisations carrying out workplace COVID-19 symptom tests
I want to carry out workplace tests to check whether my staff have symptoms of COVID-19 or the virus itself. Do I need to consider data protection law? Yes. You will be processing information that relates to an identified or identifiable person, so you need to comply...
The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) for construction products
The UK’s new Global Tariff replaced the EU’s Common External Tariff on 1 January 2021. The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) now applies to all goods imported into the UK unless: the country you’re importing from has a trade agreement with the UK an exception applies, such as...
COVID-19: Travel to Work, Shared Vehicles
With higher transmission linked to the new variant of the COVID-19 virus it is vital that the construction industry maintains close oversite of key risks. When it comes to sharing vehicles advice in the Construction Leadership Council Site Operating Procedures are...