News

New Policy Statement to drive home the need to consider social value

New Policy Statement to drive home the need to consider social value

The Government has published a new Procurement Policy Note PPN 05/21, a National Procurement Policy Statement that requires contracting authorities in the public sector to ensure procurements support the delivery of wider strategic policy objectives as set out in the...

It’s about collaboration… Interior System Installer Pilot

It’s about collaboration… Interior System Installer Pilot

https://vimeo.com/563611287 In August 2020 one of our manufacturer members was approached by the Awarding Organisation NOCN for help in preparing test materials for the Interior Systems Installer Apprentice End Point Assessment (EPA) and brought this to the attention...

Managing shortages

Managing shortages

With shortages dominating conversations, today, FIS hosted a webinar to help review where we all sit contractually. To kick us off we were joined by Ruth Wilkinson, Legal Director at Hill Dickinson who discussed the challenges that businesses in our sector face,...

CPA releases UK Economic and Construction Update

CPA releases UK Economic and Construction Update

The latest weekly update from CPA is available to members here. The updated issues are in Pages 1-5 of the weekly update including: ONS UK GDP (April 2021) ONS Construction Output (April 2021) HMRC UK Construction Products Trade with the EU (2021 Q1) Subsequent pages...

Open Doors back in full swing

Open Doors back in full swing

Build UK has confirmed that Open Doors 2021 is back and will take place from Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October. This year will see a combination of site visits and ‘live’ virtual experiences. Open Doors provides an opportunity for young people and those looking for a...

Deferred VAT payments – how to avoid a penalty

Deferred VAT payments – how to avoid a penalty

Companies that deferred VAT payments between 20 March and 30 June 2020 and still have payments to make will need to join the Government's VAT deferral new payment scheme by 21 June or pay in full by 30 June, otherwise they may be charged a 5% penalty or interest.

CIJC pay agreement sees 2.5% increase in all pay rates

CIJC pay agreement sees 2.5% increase in all pay rates

The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has completed negotiations with trade unions GMB and Unite the Union and reached agreement on a 2.5% increase in all pay rates, which will take effect from Monday 28 June 2021.  Non‐taxable elements of pay, such as travel...

FIS Fantasy Euros League

FIS Fantasy Euros League

With Brexit, the debacle that was the Eurovision Song Contest and an all English Champions league final, tensions with our European neighbours are running high and it is about to get worse as we send our national football teams into the fray to give them all a jolly...

Cash boost for apprenticeships launched

Cash boost for apprenticeships launched

From 1 June 2021 employers of all sizes in England can apply for extra funding to help them take on new apprentices.  The boost to the apprenticeship incentive scheme was confirmed by the Chancellor in the Budget in March.  Business can apply to claim £3,000 for each...