News
Can the FIS Kickstart Gateway organisation help you?
With the news this week that unemployment surged to 4.5% by August as pandemic hits jobs, this is the highest UK unemployment rate in three years. There is also clear data showing redundancies have risen to their highest level since 2009. The National Office of...
Health and Safety Testing in Wales
Following the announcement from the Welsh Government, Test Centres in Wales will be closed from 23 October (6pm) and will re-open on 9 November. There is no need to contact Pearson VUE. All booking will be cancelled with no charges and refunded back. If the booking...
Brexit: Urgent message from the Business Secretary. It’s time to take action now
In just 71 days there will be guaranteed changes to doing business and there are many actions you can take now to prepare. Regardless of whether we reach a trade agreement with the EU, from 1 January there will definitely be changes to: the way businesses import and...
Chancellor increases financial support for businesses and workers
Rishi Sunak has announced big changes to the Job Support Scheme (JSS) – set to replace furlough in November. The Chancellor has announced an expansion of the Job Support Scheme ahead of its launch on 1 November 2020. Employees will now be required to work at...
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – Lockdown tightens, but construction sites to continue
Restrictions are being increased across the four nations to tackle the second wave of coronavirus, and First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced a national lockdown in Wales from Friday 23 October until Monday 9 November. Construction and manufacturing can continue,...
Site Operating Procedures ‐ Version 6
The Site Operating Procedures have been updated to reflect recent changes in Government guidance. Whilst there are no significant changes to social distancing requirements on sites, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has taken the opportunity to streamline the...
Movement of people – what should you be doing now?
The Construction Leadership Council has published guidance on the movement of people and workers into the UK in respect of the expiration of the transition period with the European Union at the end of the year. The guidance offers an overview of the new points-based...
Crucial winter ahead for Construction according to the CPA’s latest scenarios
The CPA main scenario for construction output in 2020 is a 14.5% fall as the construction industry shows promising signs of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Demand for new private housing and private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i), as...
Q3 sales rebound but outlook marred by uncertainties
The Construction Products Association’s State of Trade Survey for 2020 Q3 is now available. Key survey findings include: 33% of heavy side firms and 48% of light side firms reported that construction products sales rose in Q3 compared with the previous quarter,...