News
Supporting Early Resolution: Why FIS Members Should Sign the Conflict Avoidance Pledge
At FIS, we’ve long advocated for better contractual practices and early intervention to help our members avoid the stress, cost, and disruption of disputes. That’s why we’re proud to share that one of our trusted consultants, Len Bunton, has recently been appointed...
Updated Building Control Fees from 1 April 2025
From 1 April 2025, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has introduced increased fees for a range of building control functions, including the processing of applications for Building Control Approval at Gateway Two. As members navigate the evolving building safety...
Recruiting and Retaining the Construction Workforce
FIS joins concerns in the level of challenges that the workforce are facing as we take part in last week’s Build UK Forum, where we joined industry peers to explore the initial findings of ongoing research by Warwick University into workforce challenges across...
FIS Wage Rate Survey points to ongoing inflation
The FIS Wage Rate Survey 2025 (data gathered in the first quarter of the year) revealed that, across the trades, FIS members have continued to experience increases in wage rates averaging around 7% in key trade occupations (the full index is available to contributors...
Sector training awards now open for entries
FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have once again joined forces and are delighted to announce that entries are now open for the annual Training Awards, an award event which recognises excellence and achievement in the recruitment, training and development...
Important judgment related to design development
The case of Workman Properties Ltd v Adi Building and Refurbishment Ltd involved the expansion of existing facilities at Cotteswold Dairy in Gloucestershire. The dispute centred on the design responsibilities under an amended JCT Design and Build Contract 2016,...
Government moves responsibility for all fire functions to MHCLG
As of 1 April 2025 Ministerial responsibility for all fire functions for construction will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The aim of this move is to bring greater clarity and accountability to fire and...
Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report: Scottish Government response
The Scottish Government published its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The response recognises that whilst operating to a different Building Regulatory environment in Scotland, the Scottish Government accepts all recommendations and will seek to...
Ten reasons why we all need to sign the Conflict Avoidance Pledge
Reason 1: We could double our profits “The construction industry spends around 1.6% of its total expenditure in the UK on legal services, double the economy’s median spend of 0.8%.” Oxford Economics 2018 This stat really says it all, but the reality is these costs...