News
Will changes to the Prompt Payment Code do much to support reform in construction?
An overhaul of the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) to crack down on delayed invoices owed to small businesses has been announced by the government today (19 January). Under new reforms, companies that have signed up to the Prompt Payment Code will be obliged to pay small...
Get involved in National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprentice Week is fast approaching and will run from 8 to 14 February 2021. It provides an opportunity for organisations to showcase the contribution they are making to the future finishes and interiors workforce and society. The Week can provide a platform...
Commercial sector falls only 4% in 2020 thanks to strong offices contract awards
Increases in contract awards in the North West, East of England and the South West. Contract awards in the commercial sector valued £7.3bn, 4% lower than 2019’s £7.6bn. The number of projects fell by 17% to 1,100 from 1,400. This is broadly consistent with preceding...
Company director sentenced after worker sustains serious crush injuries
The director of a construction company has been sentenced after a subcontractor suffered serious injuries when a stack of plasterboards fell on him at a construction site in Thames Ditton, Surrey. Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard that on 12 April 2019, subcontractors...
Rigorous new targets for green building revolution
All homes and businesses will have to meet rigorous new energy efficiency standards to lower energy consumption and bills, helping to protect the environment, the Housing Minister Chris Pincher has announced. Responding to a consultation on the Future Homes Standard,...
Applications open for the new Employer Directory for Apprenticeship EQA
The Institute announced its plans to move to a simplified EQA system in August 2020. The changes will see EQA delivered by Ofqual or, for integrated degree apprenticeships, the Office for Students (OfS). The Institute is now setting up a new group of professional and...
New Guidance to help companies adhere to Scottish Site Operating Procedures
To support members in dealing with COVID requirements and the latest edition of the Site Operating Procedures in Scotland (issued this month by Construction Scotland), new guidance has been issued by the CICV Forum Health and Safety Subcommittee, supported by FIS. ...
Provision of testing expanded to smaller employers where people cannot work from home
Community testing an important strand of a wider plan to increase availability of asymptomatic testing. The ambition of that plan is that anyone that cannot work from home during periods of national restrictions has access to rapid asymptomatic testing through one of...
Construction output expected to rise 14%
Construction bouncing back despite W-shaped recession and recovery The CPA’s latest Construction Industry Scenarios sees a ‘W’-shaped economic recession and recovery as its main assumption, with construction output expected to rise 14% in 2021 and 4.9% in 2022. This...