News
North West out in front in terms of contract awards
Construction Sector A new report produced for FIS Members by Barbour ABI indicates that the total value of construction contract awards in October was £4.9 billion based on a three month rolling average. This is a decrease of 9.4% on September and follows three...
CPA Analysis of the Spending Review 2020
The Construction Products Association’s economics team has analysed the government’s ‘Spending Review 2020’ released today. As expected, the focus of the announcement has primarily been on aiding the recovery from the virus and furthering support for public...
CPA questions raised in Parliament during post-Brexit CPR Motion
The Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, Mike Amesbury MP, highlighted the Construction Products Associations' (CPA) and questions about product testing regimes post-Brexit on the floor of the House of Commons this week in a debate with the Housing Minister about...
FIS launch new Business Risk Management Tool
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a new Business Risk Management Tool to support contractors and help them adopt a structured approach to understanding risk and reducing uncertainty. Launched at the FIS Virtual AGM and Conference on the 24 November,...
CITB funds Academy for Construction People’s pilot apprentice programme
The Academy for Construction people, based in Glasgow, has secured funding from CITB to offer a Specialist Applied-Skills Programme at VQ 2 level (/SCQF Level 5 over the next 18 months. This is a Pilot Training Scheme for 24 trainees in the following occupations;...
Changes to COVID Guidance on Showrooms in England
The Government has added further guidance on the closure of non‐essential businesses. The list now includes showrooms for products used in homes, including bathrooms, kitchens and glazing, which should be closed to the public, including where they are located as...
Level 4 Lockdown in Scotland tightens for tradespeople entering homes
Following a discussion with Sharon Miller of Scottish Government, she has advised that Scottish Government has issued further guidance for Level 4 restrictions on construction work in homes. The guidance states: Tradespeople should only go into a house in a level 4...
New rules on furlough and notice periods
Following the publication last week of HMRC’s guidance on the extended furlough scheme which stated that the government was reviewing its stance on furlough being claimed during notice periods, this section of the guidance has now been updated. Citation has outlined...
Guidance to help business owners manage workspace social distancing
A new guide that helps business owners understand the needs of its workforce and help plan safe working spaces that enable social distancing and help companies work effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic has been published today. Entitled “How Business Owners Can...