Coming back to work after time away during the pandemic may have its challenges. If workers have been away from the business for prolonged periods they may have experienced a decline in ability or proficiency. They may need additional time and support to get back to pre-pandemic performance.
Businesses also need to be aware of regulatory changes, and a recent change to UK conformity marking has promoted FIS and Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) to update its joint guide “How Business Owners Can Use Partitioning and Ironmongery to Help Manage Social Distancing”,.
Developed to help those involved in managing workplaces understand key considerations they need to make when adapting their spaces, it provides guidance on using partitioning and ironmongery to manage social distancing in the workplace.
Originally published in November last year, it has been updated to cover the changes to UK conformity marking post-Brexit. UKCA and UKNI marking have been introduced as CE marking will cease to be used in Great Britain from 1 January 2022.
It also includes a list of the relevant EN Harmonised and UK Designated standards that are relevant to partitioning, doors and architectural ironmongery and a summary of product marking sales territories to show where UKCA, UKNI and CE marking can be used going forward.
Joe Cilia, technical director of FIS, said: ‘Dividing spaces, even on a temporary basis may have implications on escape routes and safety depending on how they are installed and as good ventilation has been shown to help reduce the incidence of Covid 19 infection, the advice in this free guide is important and relevant.
Douglas Masterson, technical manager of the GAI, said: “It is critical that business owners and those responsible for property maintenance are aware of the changes and how this impacts the architectural ironmongery they choose for their workplaces. Businesses will need to continue to be responsive to Government advice but the new information in the guide will help them to identify opportunities for business owners to make sensible product choices now, that will offer them compliant solutions longer term.”
The guide can be downloaded here.
The HSE has also created guidance on returning to work, which aims to help support businesses in engaging with their workforce and provide the right support. It includes:
• Who should go to work?
• Returning to work after a lockdown or other closure
• How to help workers who are worried about returning to work
• Questions to help talk about working at home or returning to work
More information on keeping your workplace safe as coronavirus restrictions are eased is available on the HSE website.
For more Health amd Safety information visit the FIS Health and Safey Hub www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/healthandsafety/
The Queen’s Speech marks the start of the Parliamentary year, it is delivered by the Queen, but written by Ministers and identifies priorities in terms of laws that it wants to pass through the house and vote on this year. This year the Government has identified 31 bills that MPs and peers will be asked to scrutinise and vote on over the next year. Inclusion in the Speech doesn’t necessarily mean it will automatically become law, but the Government has a strong majority and through the Parliamentary process these bills will be scrutinised and adapted.
The themes in the speech reaffirm commitments to build back better, cleaner and greener with Net Zero Strategy central, seizing opportunity from exiting the EU, driving investment and levelling up with a view to strengthening the Union.
Below we look at the areas that will have the most significant impact on businesses in the construction industry and the finishes and interiors sector.
Planning bill
This has been billed as the biggest shake-up of the planning system in decades. Whilst we have heard this statement by successive Governments, the bill does mark a fairly fundamental change as under proposals local planning authorities would no longer have the powers to turn down housing developments if they meet set standards. The Bill also forces local authorities to set new zones for housing. This Bill is already getting opposition from within the Conservative Party, so is by no means a done deal yet.
Skills and Post-16 Education Bill
The Government is planning landmark reforms for the delivery of skills and training with a focus on ensuring that people can train and retrain at any stage in their lives. Central to the Bill is introducing a right to government-funded training for all adults lacking A-levels or a qualificaion of equivalent value. The Bill will also extend the student loan system to those who want to study at local further education colleges. All adults will be entitled to four years’ worth of loans for training or education that can be taken at any point in their life.
Building Safety Bill
Government continues to press ahead with reshaping the regulation and enforcement that impacts building safety, this includes changes to the Building Regulations, new regulators and particular scrutiny on the safety of high-rise buildings and inspections of buildings under construction in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster.
Environment Bill
Provides a regulatory framework to impose, adapt and absorb elements previously covered under EU directives. The Bill allows Government to set legally binding targets, restore nature and biodiversity, tackle air pollution, establish an independent Office for Environmental Protection, cut plastic use and includes particular reference to “revolutionising” how we recycle.
Subsidy control bill
State Aid rules are no longer Governed by the EU (although are referenced in the Trade Agreement). This Bill will enable Government to write legislation to establish a state aid regime in the UK that helps to accelerate recovery.
An independent body will be established to help government ensure intervention reflects strategic interests and National circumstances without breaching the terms of the trade and co-operation agreement with the EU.
Freeports bill
Again aimed at driving investment and regeneration at the same time as supporting trade, this Bill will allow Government to establish the legal framework for initially eight freeports: Teesside, London Gateway, Liverpool City Region, Humber, Felixstowe, Southampton, Plymouth and East Midlands airport. Discussions continue between the UK Government and the devolved administrations to ensure the delivery of further Freeports in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
Businesses within Freeport areas will benefit from more generous tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures and wider Government support.
Procurement bill
This Bill is designed to consolidate and streamline the 350 plus EU derived regulations and make our procurement regime quicker, simpler and easier to use, allowing more freedom for suppliers and the public sector to innovate and work in partnership with the private sector. The Bill crystalises that “social value” must be considered a factor in the picking of suppliers (in keeping with the philosophy of the Construction Playbook).
Professional qualifications bill
Provides a new bespoke framework for the UK to recognise professional qualifications from across the world to ensure employers can access professionals where there are UK shortages. Whilst targeting the need to help fill skill shortages after Brexit, it is unlikely to have much impact on trade operative end of construction, but is more targeted at occupations like medicine and teaching, and will provide some freedom in the Engineering, Architectural and Surveying end of the market.
Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill
This is likely to drive investment as the Government focusses on making the UK a global science superpower by developing our Life Sciences sector to attract the best people and businesses from across the world, increasing public expenditure on research and development to £22 billion; and creating the Advanced Research and Invention Agency focused on funding highrisk, high-reward research and development.
Registration of Overseas Entities Bill
It is clear that International Investment will be critical to support growth, but more control is required. This Bill is about transparency and ensuring foreign owners of UK property are no longer able to conceal their identity: a register of beneficial ownership will be set up to crack down on tax evasion.
The Speech also highlights a number of Funds designed to support investment in change these include:
Future Fund: Breakthrough
The £375 million, UK-wide ‘Future Fund: Breakthrough’ scheme will target innovative, R&D-intensive firms and provide them with the capital they need to grow and succeed.
Levelling Up Fund
The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centre and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
UK Community Renewal Fund/ UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
The £220 million UK-wide Community Renewal Fund will provide funding for local areas across the UK in 2021-22 to help them prepare for the introduction of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, in addition to the continued high level of funding from EU structural funds.
Towns Fund
Through the Towns Fund the Government has confirmed a £1 billion investment in 45 Town Deals across England, which will help local areas to grow their economies, create and sustain local jobs whilst encouraging opportunities to reshape the look and feel of their area.
National Skills Fund
The Government is investing significant amounts into further education – £1.5 billion to improve our college estate; £2.5 billion (£3 billion when including Barnett funding for devolved administrations) in the National Skills Fund; and £650 million extra into 16-19 further education
Commenting on the speech, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated: “As expected, this is a Queens Speech packed full of optimism, all about a fresh start outside the EU and building back after COVID. The focus on Skills is particularly encouraging – we now need to ensure that construction is a key beneficiary of this. The Planning reform is also a good sign of a Government recognition that construction activity is key to growth and hampered by red tape and nymbyism, but I suspect it will be a while before the sector sees the full benefit of this reform as it meets opposition in the House. My sincere hope is that the Building Safety Bill is passed this side of the summer recess so we can crack on with the much needed reform that it heralds.”
Speaking at today’s virtual Business 7 Summit (or ‘B7’), which welcomes around 60 CEO’s from leading UK and global companies across the G7 countries, and feeds into the G7 Summit programme, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, recognised the construction industry’s contribution to achieving Net Zero.
In remarks to the concluding session, which aimed to identify how government and business can work together to address global challenges in climate, digital and health, the Secretary of State set out his priorities and views on business leadership, highlighting that over 58 UK construction businesses have already signed-up to Race to Zero, including firms such as Lendlease and Multiplex.
The Secretary of State also highlighted the UK’s leading consultancy businesses working in the built environment, who have today collectively committed to offering ambitious design options and advice that are fully compatible with Net Zero outcomes to their clients. This means that the expert advice received by financiers, asset owners and operators will now be encouraging, and actively driving towards, ambitious Net Zero choices.
These firms are respected around the globe for their expertise and include AECOM, Arcadis, Arup, Atkins, Buro Happold, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, Mace, Turner & Townsend and WSP.
Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The UK’s construction and engineering industries are leading the world in the drive to cut emissions, and I am thrilled to see so many businesses from all over the globe share this ambition.
“As we build back better, the commitments made at this summit will support the construction industry to make this essential low carbon transition and I look forward to working closely with the sector and the Construction Leadership Council on this journey.”
iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said: “Net Zero is fast emerging as the most talked about subject in construction, rightly driven by an understanding we need to be better and a Build Back Greener mindset from Government. Beyond growing understanding of environmental impact, we are living through a time when material supply is short and global supply chains fractured – we are being forced to confront and consider carefully everything we use, make sure we avoid waste by getting it right first time and ultimately how we can reuse and reinvent to prevent waste.
Recognition from the Secretary of State in terms of the work done so far is encouraging and I am encouraged by the CO2nstruct Zero work of the CLC, but to hit the targets being talked about we need a monumental supply chain shift in terms of the way we design, procure, construct and manage buildings.
For me Net Zero starts, as with every element of improvement in construction, with early engagement and genuine attempts to manage risk through collaboration. Let’s be clear being unsustainable is another risk, one that crystalises when the supply chain is not engaged with and informing the design, site planning and communicates effectively about how we can be better together, rather than simply contractualises the problem. Our new sustainability working group is focussing on five key areas; informing design, encouraging better material and asset management, increasing knowledge and understanding within the supply chain, setting targets and standardisation in monitoring and measuring, providing a collaborative support network and highlighting individuals and approaches that help inspire and inform change. As a first step we have updated our Sustainability Toolkit and we are calling on any member interested in supporting us in this work to join our new working group.”
You can access the upgraded FIS Sustainability Toolkit here
Hannah Vickers, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and CO2nstructZero lead at the CLC said: “I’m delighted to see ACE members among those demonstrating the leadership required if our industry is to play its part in helping society to meet its ambitious Net Zero targets.
“The UK’s leading global consultancy businesses are well advanced in achieving Net Zero on their direct emissions. In order to deliver significant reductions to society’s carbon emissions, these firms are now also committing to proactively shaping their clients’ decisions and approach. This means that more projects will start out with Net Zero at their core, delivering a positive knock-on effect along the entire construction supply chain.”
Now that the UK has left the European Union, freedom of movement of people no longer applies and a new points based system has been implemented to manage immigration. There are a number of actions that employers are recommended to undertake.
The Home Office has now confirmed that changes to the Right to Work checks that were introduced as a temporary measure in response to the coronavirus panedemic will now end on 20 June (not Sunday 16 May as originally planned).
Whilst employers are currently able to conduct checks via video calls and use scanned copies rather than original documents, from 21 June 2021 they must either:
• check the applicant’s original documents, or
• check the applicant’s right to work online using their share code.
Within this there are two groups to consider, those who will have a right to work through the settlement scheme (those resident before 31 December 2020) and those relying on a visa (i.e. individuals newly arriving from the 1 January 2021). Note Irish citizens, based on historic agreement that pre-dates UK – EU arrangements, retain a right to work in the UK and are not subjected to the new rules detailed below.
It has been confirmed that employers will not need to carry out retrospective checks on employees verified between 30 March 2020 and 21 June 2021.
See the Latest Government Guidance on Right to Work checks here
You can access guidance on Hiring Overseas Workers in the FIS Employment and Workforce Management Toolkit here
Build UK has produced a flowchart to help members through the process of employing a foreign worker. The flowchart covers the EU Settlement Scheme, which closes for applications on 30 June 2021, the Points‐Based Immigration System and the Skilled Worker Visa, which is required from 1 July 2021, and provides links to further guidance on a particular area if required.
On 20 May, FIS will be joined by experts who will provide guidance on the right to work checks to ensure that your workforce is legal to work in the UK. Employing EU workers (excluding the Republic of Ireland) who have not applied through the settlement scheme by the 30 June will not be legal workers and this may have serious implications for your business.
There were 548 contracts worth £5.7 billion, which has dropped below the monthly average of £6.0 billion in the year prior to coronavirus for the first time since December. 40% of all the contracts awarded by value were housing (£2.3 billion), with road projects making up 13% (£949 million) and office projecs 10% (£581 million).
The industry will be hoping that this was a blip in the road due to the Easter break and that the continued easing of coronavirus restrictions over the coming weeks will drive the economic recovery and see construction activity increase again.
FIS members have access to a wealth of Market Data, from leading sources like the Construction Products Association and Barbour ABI. In addition, FIS also gathers data specifically related to the finishes and interiors sector.
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, The Lighthouse Club is launching its ‘Help Inside the Hard Hat’ campaign to raise awareness of mental health within the construction industry.
To help support the charity’s biggest ever campaign, Help Inside the Hard Hat, they are offering a huge range of pro-active support and resources for our community, including their 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, their free app and mental health training.
The resources available for you to download, free of charge. So, whether you just want to print your own posters on a photocopier or get them professionally printed, or go large with some eye-catching hoardings, there is everything you need. You can even add your company logo if you wish!
Fore more information and to access the resources visit https://www.lighthouseclub.org/help-inside-the-hard-hat/
Visit the FIS Mental Health Awareness Toolkit here
There is a growing appreciation that Apprenticeships are more important than ever in equipping individuals and businesses with the skills they need as we build back better from the coronavirus outbreak. As part of this Government want to make sure apprenticeships reflect modern models of employment for all employers in all sectors. One concept is developing portable apprenticeships, putting apprentices in the driving seat and enabling them to move with relative ease between employers in industries where short-term contracts are the norm. T his consultation asks you to consider how flexi-job apprenticeship schemes can support the growth of apprenticeships in sectors where short-term and project-based contracts are the norm.
The Department for Education (DfE) will launch the flexi-job apprenticeships fund in July 2021 with employers set to be invited to bid for a share of a £7 million fund to create and test new flexi-apprenticeships schemes, with the first approved flexi-job apprenticeships expected to start in January 2022.
As well as responding directly FIS is encouraging members to feed their views in so we can give consideration to the potential to explore early adoption within our supply chain. Please forward your thoughts to iainmcilwee@thefis.org.
Full details of the proposals and how to respond to the consultation are available here Flexi-Job Apprenticeships: Reshaping the role of Apprenticeship Training Agencies.
The DfE online consultation survey will close on 1 June 2021. Responses to FIS should be submitted by 27th May to allow time to build a sectoral response.
Key questions from the consultation, please send copies of your response to iainmcilwee@thefis.org:
Question 1: Do you agree with our vision for flexi-job apprenticeship schemes?
Question 2: How should flexi-job apprenticeships demonstrate that they are meeting the needs of employers?
Question 3: What expectations should we set of flexi-job apprenticeship schemes in providing a high quality experience for apprentices?
Question 4: What challenges and opportunities are relevant to flexi-job apprenticeship schemes achieving financial sustainability? How might they balance a fee-based model with other income streams?
Question 5: Does the name flexi-job apprenticeship scheme accurately describe our vision for these organisations and they role they will play? Would you propose any alternative names?
Question 6: Do you have any views on our proposals for portable apprenticeships, including on how portable apprenticeships and flexi-job apprenticeships schemes can complement each other?
Question 7: Do you agree that we should create a register of approved flexi-job apprenticeship schemes?
Question 8: What entry criteria do you think we should establish for admission to this register in order to ensure that approved flexi-job apprenticeship schemes meet our vision set out in section 2?
Question 9: How do you think the performance and quality of approved flexi-job apprenticeship schemes should be monitored and assured after admission to the register?
Question 10: To assure the quality of flexi-job apprenticeship schemes, should schemes entry to the register set out the standards they can offer to apprentices? What process should we develop to enable schemes to change the standards they offer?
Question 11: Do you have any concerns about the closure and withdrawal of the dormant register of ATAs?
Visit the FIS Skills Hub here
Are you currently or thinking of employing an Apprentice, we have set up an Apprentice Employers Group to support uptake of the new Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship and the next meeting is set for the 19th May – you can reserve your place here.
Nation Council Chair vacancies: Help shape the future of construction skills
CITB is seeking senior, experienced and knowledgeable industry representatives for its Nation Council Chair in England and Scotland.
The Nation Councils have an important role in supporting the CITB Board in its strategic leadership, by providing insight into industry challenges, across nations, regions and sectors and acting as a sounding board for Trustees. Applications are invited from across the industry, including SMEs, large employers, and independent consultants. The Nation Council Chair will help shape the future of construction as the industry begins to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic and adapt to new challenges, including Brexit and achieving Net Zero targets. They will:
Interested candidates should have a wealth of senior level experience in the sector and represent the voice of industry. It is essential that the Chair has a sound knowledge and understanding of both their nation and the wider construction landscape.
CITB Policy Director Stephen Radley said: “The role of Nation Council Chair is challenging and incredibly rewarding and represents the perfect opportunity for someone with industry insight and an understanding of the challenges facing the sector to make their mark. To fill the shoes of our current Chairs will be no easy task but we know the construction industry is full of incredibly talented people who I know will rise to the task.”
CITB is also recruiting independent members of its Audit and Risk, and Industry Funding committees. Anyone interested in applying for the vacancies should visit: http://sscl-innovation.com/CITBmicrosite/volunteering/
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a Specifiers’ Guide – Ceilings and Acoustic Absorbers to help a project team fully understand the criteria when writing a specification for a suspended ceiling or acoustic absorber.
The Specifiers’ Guide – Ceilings and Acoustic Absorbers was produced by the FIS Ceilings and Absorbers working group which comprises representation from manufacturers, suppliers and contractors involved in the design, supply and construction of ceiling systems. It is intended to guide architects, designers and installers through the criteria in selecting and specifying a suspended ceiling and acoustic absorber that will satisfy the performance needs of an internal space while providing the desired visual effect.
Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of the FIS said: “This guide, written by industry specialists, pulls together decades of experience from specification managers who almost instinctively know the questions on all aspects – from performance, material characteristics, sustainability and environmental, conformity marking, installation, maintenance and end of life.
The guide addresses what a good specification looks like and how it should be structured, it even includes 10 top tips to producing a specification. It then breaks down the key performance issues around fire and acoustics and the other issues of volatile organic compounds, light reflectance, impact resistance, air permeability, wind loading, sustainability and conformity marking.
“In total, there are 36 parameters to consider to ensure a safe, compliant and complete specification. This is crucial if the specification is not to be misinterpreted and any alternatives assessed and checked as equal before approving them,” added Iain McIlwee.
The guide sits alongside other FIS best practice guides that relate to ceilings:
Site Guide for suspended ceilings
Installation of suspended ceilings
Selection and installation of top fixings for suspended ceilings
Maintenance and access into suspended ceilings
Recommendations for the Safe Ingress of Plasterboard
These guides work well when they are included in proposals and project plans to demonstrate how to best approach a project. They are also good differentiators when someone is in competition with non-members, and are an excellent introduction to new members of the team and any trainees and apprentices.
You can download the Specifiers’ Guide – Ceilings and Acoustic Absorbers here.
For further information or for any questions and comments contact us via email at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.
