News
Regulation Update: All new buildings to produce nearly a third less carbon
New buildings in England will have to produce significantly less CO2 under new rules announced by the government to help the country move towards net zero. Under the new regulations, CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards...
Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero
In December 2020, the Scottish Government published its “update to the climate change plan 2018-2032 – securing a green recovery on a path to net zero”. Scotland has committed to green recovery from Covid-19 in order to capture the opportunities for a transition to...
FIS responds to HSE issues warnings ahead of Building Safety Bill
As part of work underway to establish a new Building Safety Regulator and reform the building safety system, HSE is urging those who design high-rise buildings to act now to prepare for the changes coming when the Building Safety Bill becomes law. The Building Safety...
Inspiring Change – A Matter of Respect
Last month I signed up to attend the Inspiring Change Event in London – the focus, creating a fair and inclusive environment in construction centred on respect. It is vital subject on so many levels not least because we have a HUGE skills and labour shortage, but also...
Should I have a COVID Vaccination Policy?
FIS has been asked a number of times about whether it is acceptable to either mandate employees to have the vaccination or to ask whether workers, in the face of potential issues with self-isolation, have been vaccinated in order to support their ongoing risk...
Apprentice employer incentive payments extended
The government's offer of up to £4,000 for each apprentice a company employs has been extended at least until the end of March 2022. In addition, CITB is still paying training grants to cover travel and accommodation, as well as training fees, for the apprentices...
Contract awards increase 23% in November
The latest information from Builders’ Conference shows that there were 447 contracts worth £5.1 billion awarded in November. This is an improvement after the dip in October and the industry will be hoping that activity holds up in the New Year and the emergence of the...
Employers and drylining experts needed to help develop traineeship
CITB has started work on a Traineeship for Drylining occupations and need support from employers and subject matter experts. The next development meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 15 December starting at 13:00 to get involved please email alexandra.lee@citb.co.uk...
COVID‐19 Plan B – what it means to you
On the evening of the 8th December, the Prime Minister announced that England is moving to Plan B in terms of COVID response due to the spread of the new Omicron variant of the virus and potential risk of overwhelming the NHS whilst jabs and boosters roll-out...