News
Expansion of COVID‐19 Testing
The Prime Minister confirmed earlier this week that further coronavirus restrictions will be lifted as planned from next Monday 12 April, after the data confirmed that the Government’s ‘four tests’ had been met. He also confirmed that regular testing will be an...
Key construction industry figures reflect on a productive, useful and surprising year
After marking the anniversary of its first-ever meeting, key members of Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum have revealed their personal highlights of working together for the ever-expanding collective. The unique collaboration of trade associations,...
Hundreds of free qualifications on offer to boost skills and jobs
An estimated 11 million adults now have the opportunity to gain a new qualification for free, designed to help them to gain in-demand skills and secure great jobs. Free courses for jobs as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee’s As part of the Lifetime Skills...
Professional indemnity insurance restrictions harming industry
Significant cost increases and the introduction of new restrictions on professional indemnity (PI) insurance are preventing companies taking on projects and could delay essential work on building safety. These were the findings of a pan-industry survey of over 1,000...
Home tests for workers
From 6 April, companies with 10 or more employees who cannot work from home will be able to order home test kits for their employees where it is not possible to set up a testing site in the workplace. The deadline to register for workplace testing has been extended...
Improved pre-qualification system goes live
Major contractors now adopting the Common Assessment Standard Build UK has announced that the new industry-wide pre-qualification (PQ) system is now fully up and running, simplifying a complex system for the benefit of everyone in the construction sector. The rollout...
FIS launches technical note on specifying acoustic absorbers
To help specifiers understand the performance of wall mounted acoustic absorbers, FIS has published a new technical note, Specifying Acoustic Absorbers where they will be installed against a wall. The sound quality of a room often doesn’t need a specialist to tell you...
Action to take for positive lateral flow device test at home
The Government has confirmed that anyone who gets a positive result from a lateral flow device (LFD) test undertaken at home should get a PCR test to confirm the result. However, in the event of a positive result from an LFD test undertaken at a test site, a follow up...
Extended site hours to continue
The Written Ministerial Statement by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick permitting extended site working hours has been extended until 30 September 2021. The statement makes it clear that local planning authorities in England should not refuse requests to extend working...