by Clair Mooney | 3 Jun, 2021 | Labour
This week, Select has relaunched its Stay in Scotland campaign, encouraging EU citizens to apply to the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme.
EU Citizens living in Scotland, who have not yet applied, are being urged to apply now to avoid missing the deadline of 30 June, so they can carry on living, working and studying in Scotland. Irish citizens and people with indefinite leave to remain do not have to apply.
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said:
“With the potential for further labour shortages and need to increase our recruitment domestically just to stand still as we can no longer rely on new cohorts of skilled EU workers to plug the gaps, it is vital that we communicate with workers here to ensure that they are aware of and have completed their application through the settlement process. The June deadline is a hard stop. Whilst this campaign is focussed on Scotland, it is relevant to all firms across the UK”
With the deadline fast approaching, you can get support to apply now at mygov.scot/stayinscotland
by Clair Mooney | 3 Jun, 2021 | Market data
The
latest information from Builders’ Conference shows that there were 551 contracts worth £6.3 billion awarded in May. The number is 13% higher than the monthly average over the past year and it is the fifth time in the last six months that the value has exceeded £6.0 billion, indicating a sustained recovery for construction post COVID‐19. 35% of all the contracts awarded by value were housing (£2.2 billion), with rail projects making up 17% (£1.1. billion) and office projects 8% (£517 million).
The number of tender opportunities was consistent with the previous month but remains 25% below the monthly average for the past year.
by Clair Mooney | 3 Jun, 2021 | Main News Feed
Osborne is the latest Build UK member to adopt the Common Assessment Standard for its pre‐qualification requirements. Osborne joins a growing list of major contractors and clients which are specifying the Common Assessment Standard, meaning that members of the supply chain can obtain certification from any one of three Recognised Assessment Bodies ‐ Achilles, CHAS or Constructionline ‐ in order to tender for work with them.
The Common Assessment Standard, which is endorsed by the CLC, has two levels of certification ‐ desktop and site‐based ‐ and companies should apply for the appropriate level dependent upon their trade, size, and the requirements of their clients.
You can access the FIS Contractual and Legal Toolkit here.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Jun, 2021 | Health and Safety
HSE has published a revised version of HSG248 Asbestos: The Analysts’ Guide (second edition – May 2021).
As guidance for analysts involved in asbestos work, this latest edition has been updated to take account of findings from HSE interventions and developments in analytical procedures and methodology. It provides clarification on technical and personal safety issues, especially in relation to sampling and 4-stage clearances. New information on sampling soils for asbestos is also included.
The guidance is designed to assist analysts in complying with their legal obligations and should also be useful to asbestos consultants, occupational hygienists, health and safety professionals, asbestos removal contractors, building owners and facilities managers.
More information on asbestos is available on the HSE website.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Jun, 2021 | Main News Feed, Technical
BEIS has issued an update to “Using the UKCA marking” guidance last issued on 31 December 2020. More information has been added on when a you can self-declare along with updates to the ‘Relevant UK and EU legislation” to remove inaccurate legislation.
The updated guidance can be viewed here.
While this is general guidance there are several references to separate guidance being available for construction products which should be read. These link back to guidance issued in September 2020 dealing with the two UK Statutory Instruments – Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and 2020.
Notable differences in the text are as follows:
On page 2, Selling goods in Great Britain
The following has been added:
‘The circumstances in which you can use self-declaration of conformity for UKCA marking are the same as for CE marking. If you were able to self-declare conformity for the CE marking, you will be able to do the same for the UKCA marking.
Check the list of areas where self-declaration is permitted.’
On page 3, When to use the UKCA marking
The following has been added:
‘This does not apply to existing stock, for example if your good was fully manufactured, CE marked and ready to be placed on the market before 1 January 2021. In these cases, your good can still be sold in Great Britain with a CE marking even if covered by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body before 1st January 2021. These goods will need to be placed on the market before 31 December 2021.
On page 3, How to use UKCA marking, Placing the UKCA marking, General Rules
The following has been added:
A product may have additional markings and marks, as long as they:
-
- Fulfil a different function from that of the UKCA marking
- Are not likely to cause confusion with the UKCA marking
- Do not reduce the legibility and visibility of the UKCA marking.
On page 4, Rules for using the UKCA image:
The following has been added:
‘The UKCA marking can take different forms (for example, the colour does not have to be solid), as long as it remains visible, legible and maintains the required proportions.’
On page 5, UK Declaration of Conformity
Please note that construction products manufacturers have a Declaration of Performance so CPA recommends that this also applies to DoPs
The following sentence has been added:
‘We recommend that manufacturers have a separate UK Declaration of Conformity to their EU Declaration of Conformity.’
On pages 6-7 there is a new table titled ‘Legislative areas where self-declaration of conformity for UKCA marking is permitted’.
This lists the CPR with a product scope of AVCP System 4.
On page 8, there is a new item ‘Transitional measures relating to the UKCA marking.’
The last sentence categorically states that these transitional arrangements do not apply to construction products.
The following guidance issued in the original document “Using the UKCA mark from 1 January 2021” dated 1 September 2020 now excludes the following text:
Future use of markings in the UK
From 1 January 2022, the CE marking will not be recognised in Great Britain for areas covered by this guidance and the UKCA marking. However, a product bearing the CE marking would still be valid for sale in the UK so long as it was also UKCA marked and complied with the relevant UK rules.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Jun, 2021 | Main News Feed
The Department for Health has launched a new toolkit for employers to help ensure employees get reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines. Several major businesses, including Asda, IKEA and Santander, have already pledged to promote vaccine uptake with their employees and to allow flexibility for staff to get vaccinated during work hours.
Access the toolkit to get materials for you to run internal awareness campaigns promoting the benefits of vaccination, including key messages, posters, fact sheets and videos providing accurate up to date information. The government is calling on as many employers as possible to join the campaign and support the efforts to continue to bring the nation out of lockdown.
by Clair Mooney | 28 May, 2021 | Market data
CPA has issued its latest weekly update, which is available to members
here. The three updated issues in Pages 1-2 of the weekly update are:
- Zoopla UK House Price Index (April 2021)
- Speedy Hire Annual Results (May 2021)
- British Land Annual Results (May 2021)
Subsequent pages have existing construction data that remain relevant.
The CPA’s latest forecasts (Spring 2021) is available here.
by Clair Mooney | 27 May, 2021 | Main News Feed
As part of a new incentive scheme, employers in England can claim £1,000 for every T-Level student they host on a high-quality industry placement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cash-boost-for-t-levels.
The T Level employer incentive fund recognises the impact of the pandemic on many businesses, and has been designed to help cover financial constraints employers may face as a barrier to hosting placements in the short term.
Employers will be able to claim £1,000 for up to 20 students they host on a 45 day (315 hour) industry placement, from now until July 2022. The incentive offers businesses an excellent opportunity to tap into the emerging talent pipeline, whilst supporting the skilled workforce of the future.
Those interested in accessing the incentive payments and offering T-Level industry placements should contact: 08000 150 600 (choose option 4) or fill out an industry placement contact form online: Next steps | T Levels
T Levels uniquely combine classroom study with industry placements, generating the skilled workforce that businesses need for the future.
This Employer Guide helps businesses understand how to host an industry placement. This includes details on what is expected of employers during the placement.
by Clair Mooney | 27 May, 2021 | Skills
The deadline for employers to apply for the incentive payment for new apprentices hired between 1 August 2020 and March 2021 is approaching. Eligible employers must apply for their incentive payment by 31 May 2021.
Incentive payment for apprentices who joined organisations before 1 April 2021 are:
- Employers with apprentices who have a contract of employment start date between 1 August 2020 and 31 March 2021 and who also have a practical period (training) start date between 1 August 2020 and 31 May 2021 are eligible for an incentive payment
- For new apprentices aged 16 to 24, employers will receive £2,000
- For new apprentices aged 25 and over, employers will receive £1,500
- Employers must apply for these apprentices by the end of 31 May 2021
- Employers can visit our guidance page for more details.
Employers can apply for the incentive payment via the Finances section in their apprenticeship service account. For a walk-through of the process, employers can watch the support video.
There are six steps employers need to have completed before they apply for an incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice:
- They need to have registered an account on the apprenticeship service
- If they do not pay the apprenticeship levy, they need to have reserved funds in their apprenticeship service account
- They need to have recruited an apprentice
- They need to have added their apprentice to their apprenticeship service account
- They need to have agreed a start date for apprenticeship training to begin with their training provider
- They need to have accepted the latest version of the Education and Skills Funding Agency employer agreement
If employers require support with any of these steps, they can watch the how-to videos or visit the help portal, where they can access help articles, webchat with an adviser, call or text the helpline, or email the helpdesk.
Incentive payment for apprentices who join organisations from 1 April 2021 have been increased for hiring a new apprentice. Employers could receive £3,000 for new apprentices of any age who join their organisation from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. Visit the guidance page for more details.
