by Clair Mooney | 16 Jun, 2021 | Sustainability
The Government has published a new Procurement Policy Note PPN 05/21, a National Procurement Policy Statement that requires contracting authorities in the public sector to ensure procurements support the delivery of wider strategic policy objectives as set out in the Social Value. For the first time the UK government has established a set of principles that all contracting authorities must have regard to when they procure goods and services, alongside any additional local priorities in their procurement activities. These principles include:
● creating new businesses, new jobs and new skills;
● tackling climate change and reducing waste, and
● improving supplier diversity, innovation and resilience.
The PPN also makes a clear statement that delivering best value over the life of the procured asset or service, rather than lowest cost, should be the objective of procurement exercises, and that procurers should take a broad view of what constitutes best value, reflecting policy as set out in the Green Book.
PPNs provide guidance on best practice for procurement for public sector organisations, together with supporting documentation. A PPN applies to all Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies in conducting procurement procedures regulated by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Commenting on the publishing of this statement, FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated:
“It is good to see the vague coulds and shoulds of politicians turned into requirements in this statement. Procurement has to reward more than price – the Construction Playbook is a step in the right direction, this Policy Statement is another stride towards a heathier procurement culture that will support transformation in construction”.
You can read the Procurement Policy Note PPN 05/21 here
Vist the FIS Sustainability Hub
by Oscar Venus | 16 Jun, 2021 | Labour, Main News Feed, Skills
In August 2020 one of our manufacturer members was approached by the Awarding Organisation NOCN for help in preparing test materials for the Interior Systems Installer Apprentice End Point Assessment (EPA) and brought this to the attention of the FIS Skills Board. In November2020 FIS Skills Board members produced Risk Assessments and Method Statements for the end test and in January 2021 FIS brought together an EPA Development Group of Employers, Suppliers, Training Providers and NOCN. The materials developed to assess both options of this apprenticeship, Dry Liners and Ceiling and Partition Installers will soon be ready for use.
This work was facilitated by FIS with the direct support of Joe Cilia FIS Technical Director and George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead. This would not have been achieved in the time frame allowed without the support, time, materials and expertise freely provide by FIS members. Many thanks go to: British Gypsum, Roseville, Stortford Interiors, Measom Dryline, Time Limit Interiors, Errigal, Komfort, North West Skills Academy, the Construction End Point Assessment Company and the staff at NOCN.
This is an example of collaboration at its very best. If you would like to be involved in the work of FIS, join the Skills Board or one of the Working Groups, please give us a call.
by Clair Mooney | 15 Jun, 2021 | Main News Feed, Material Shortages
With shortages dominating conversations, today, FIS hosted a webinar to help review where we all sit contractually.
To kick us off we were joined by Ruth Wilkinson, Legal Director at Hill Dickinson who discussed the challenges that businesses in our sector face, including:
- What is happening on the ground and the position that clients and contractors are taking on potential delays and price variation.
- Fluctuations and common provisions are made in standard contracts.
- How to deal with existing work and contracts.
- How to manage risk and structure negotiations on your next contract.
Damian James, Delay and Quantum Expert, then focussed on the impact of delay, distruption and rising costs and how to effectively manage your contractual position through this time of shortage.
Further support and guidance is below:
FIS Latest Statement on Shortages (to support your negotiations)
FIS Contractual and Legal Toolkit (including template resources to support notifications and management of delays)
RICS Conflict Avoidance Pledge (please consider signing it).
FIS Insurance Survey (Our plan is to scope out a new approach, possibly even establishing a mutual insurance company – all pie in the sky unless we have the data. We have received a good response, but have broken the project down into gateways and need a strong response before we can progress to the next level and start committing resource).
by Clair Mooney | 11 Jun, 2021 | Market data
The latest weekly update from CPA is available to members here. The updated issues are in Pages 1-5 of the weekly update including:
- ONS UK GDP (April 2021)
- ONS Construction Output (April 2021)
- HMRC UK Construction Products Trade with the EU (2021 Q1)
Subsequent pages have existing construction data that remain relevant.
by Clair Mooney | 10 Jun, 2021 | Skills
Build UK has confirmed that Open Doors 2021 is back and will take place from Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October. This year will see a combination of site visits and ‘live’ virtual experiences.
Open Doors provides an opportunity for young people and those looking for a change of career to find out what the industry has to offer by going behind the site hoardings and seeing the diverse range of opportunities available. This year, Build UK has partnered with he Careers and Enterprise Company, Considerate Constructors Scheme and New Futures Network, to inspire as many people as possible to choose a career in construction.
A virtual workshop will be held on Thursday 24 June from 9am ‐ 10am for Open Doors Coordinators, where they will discuss plans for this year’s event in more detail. Your nominated Open Doors Coordinator should have received an invite.
by Clair Mooney | 10 Jun, 2021 | Main News Feed
Companies that deferred VAT payments between 20 March and 30 June 2020 and still have payments to make will need to join the Government’s VAT deferral new payment scheme by 21 June or pay in full by 30 June, otherwise they may be charged a 5% penalty or interest.
by Clair Mooney | 10 Jun, 2021 | Membership
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has completed negotiations with trade unions GMB and Unite the Union and reached agreement on a 2.5% increase in all pay rates, which will take effect from
Monday 28 June 2021. Non‐taxable elements of pay, such as travel and subsistence allowances, will also increase, and the guidance on bereavement leave has been updated encouraging employers to now grant up to five days paid leave.
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement – sometimes referred to as ‘The Pink Book’ – is an agreement between employers and Trade Unions setting out terms and conditions, including national pay rates, that are applied in principle by ‘adherent bodies’ and others across the industry. The aim of CIJC is to help avoid industrial disputes, and simplify the process of negotiating terms between employers and workers. In addition to standard rates of pay, not taxable expenses such as travel and accommodation costs, are incorporated into the agreement.
FIS is represented and the Board were consulted and fed vies in via our membership of Build UK. Other organisations involved in the negotiations include Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), Home Builders Federation (HBF), National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), National Federation of Builders (NFB), National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), Painting & Decorating Association (PDA), Scottish Building Federation (SBF) and Trades Unions Unite the Union and GMB.
by Oscar Venus | 10 Jun, 2021 | Main News Feed
With Brexit, the debacle that was the Eurovision Song Contest and an all English Champions league final, tensions with our European neighbours are running high and it is about to get worse as we send our national football teams into the fray to give them all a jolly good thrashing. Whilst this isn’t necessarily best for helping to deliver a pragmatic agreement surrounding mutuality of obligation concerns in the withdrawal agreement, it is a chance to celebrate and have a bit of fun.
In celebration of the Euros 2021 finally taking place, FIS has launched its own fantasy league and we are inviting FIS Members to take part in the hope that we can bring our community together throughout the tournament. We will be posting weekly updates on our Instagram page so please do give us a follow to help us keep you informed.
Feel free to enter as a company or an independent – warning we will be more diligent than the ECB in ensuring that names and communications around this league are appropriate and in keeping with all of our FIR policies.
To enter, click here and create your team. To join the FIS league enter this code: 38WAY60Z10
(Rules – in order for us to see what company you are entering from please try to add that into your teams name)
by Clair Mooney | 10 Jun, 2021 | Skills
From 1 June 2021 employers of all sizes in England can apply for extra funding to help them take on new apprentices. The boost to the apprenticeship incentive scheme was confirmed by the Chancellor in the Budget in March. Business can apply to claim £3,000 for each new apprentice hired as a new employer from 01 April until 30 September 2021. The cash incentive is designed to help more employers invest in the skilled workforce they need for the future as part of the government’s Plan for Jobs.
This is in addition to the £1000 available for:
- aged 16 to 18 years old
- under 25 with an education, health and care plan or who has been in the care of their local authority.
Employers can choose how to spend the cash, for example, covering uniform or travel costs for the apprentice.
In Scotland
£5,000 for employers taking on or upskilling a 16 to 24-year old apprentice, and for those aged up to 29 years who are disabled, care leavers and Minority Ethnic.
£3,500 for employers taking on or upskilling an apprentice aged 25 plus.
In Wales
Until 30 September 2021 businesses will be able to claim up to £4,000 for each new apprentice, they hire under the age of 25.
Skills and Training Lead George Swann said:
“Now is the ideal time to recruit the workforce of the future via apprenticeships. For more information on the options available to employers please see the FIS Apprentice – Guidance for Employers. If you would like to discuss this please give us a call we will be happy to help.”
