News
Apprenticeship support expanded to all levy-registered construction employers
CITB is changing its apprenticeship support to enable all levy-registered construction employers to benefit from an expanded support service. Currently, CITB offers employer and apprentice support for its 7,000 contracted apprenticeships, about a third of the total...
FIS Calls for Reverse Charge VAT plans to be scrapped
FIS has joined a powerful coalition construction bodies in calling for reverse charge VAT plans to be scrapped. In a letter signed by 44 bodies, the coalition points out that many SMEs in the supply chain are critical to delivering the Government’s ‘Build Build...
FIS raises serious immigration concerns and advises on action to prepare
In the wake of growing concerns over immigration in 2021 and the impact of tighter rules on the finishes and interiors sector, trade body FIS, supported by Seddons Law LLP, Indigo Group, Lignum Group and Bamboo Project Solutions hosted a webinar explaining how...
Mapping out the road to competency and compliance
Dame Judith Hackett was clear in her interim report of Building Regulations and Fire Safety that there has been a lack of evidence of compliance and competency and even clearer that the industry needed to address this. So, what has happened since February 2018 and do...
Brexit Update: Supply of materials
Build UK has worked with the CIPS to publish a detailed report on the impact of the UK leaving the EU on the supply of construction materials from 1 January 2021. The report identifies whether materials may be in short supply or have longer lead times and it will be...
Using power tools: avoiding the need for RPE during the pandemic
HSE has published advice explaining alternative ways of working to reduce risk which may mean you no longer need to use respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for working with power tools. We have guidance explaining the control measures employers should consider when...
Amendment to Approved Document B Vols 1 & 2
MHCLG today published updated copies of Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Vols 1 & 2: 2019 incorporating the 2020 amendment covering sprinklers, wayfinding signage and a correction to the boundaries information. The amendments do not apply where a building notice...
FIS President, Helen Tapper, Address to AGM 2020
Welcome to the 2020 FIS ‘Virtual’ AGM and conference. This is certainly a novel format and I very much hope one of a kind. 2020 has been a year of nightmare scenarios. When I addressed you last year none of us could have predicted the sinister turn that life would...
Concerns over negative impact of new immigration system from 62.5% FIS members
New data from the FIS indicates that 30% of members are already experiencing labour shortages and 62.5% are concerned for what the New Year brings. FIS is hosting a workshop on 1st December at Midday with experts to review and advise on how members need to prepare...