by Clair Mooney | 25 Sep, 2025 | Health and Safety, Main News Feed
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has today published a consultation on its mental health project. The CLC’s Health Safety and Wellbeing Summit on 1 July set out mental health as one of its priority focus areas (as part of its wider Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy), with the aim to create an environment that fosters better mental health for the people that work in the UK construction industry.
The CLC held a series of focus groups across England, in partnership with Mates in Mind and the University of Warwick, to identify the primary root causes for poor mental health in construction. Today’s consultation which is open until 5 November 2025, details those causes and invites stakeholders across the industry for their views on what can be done to eliminate or reduce them.
The importance of this work is illustrated by the fact the suicide rate in UK construction is four times the national average which is unacceptable.
Whilst we know there are lots of factors that affect a person’s mental health, with some work related and some not, these are not numbers. They are husbands, wives, dads, mums, children and friends. The time for systemic change is now. We all have a responsibility to our workforce to improve the health and wellbeing of our people.
Today’s consultation focuses on the measures that the UK construction industry can take to reduce the future likelihood of poor mental health in the sector.
We want to hear your views and ambitions for how we can collectively come together to reduce or eliminate the challenges colleagues and friends are experiencing across the sector. Change is needed.
We will then analyse the consultation results, before agreeing and publishing, in Spring 2026, an action plan with supporting guidance with industry leaders, and key stakeholders on what we can jointly do to address the root causes.
Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council said:
“As leaders in the built environment and construction sector, we have a collective responsibility to our workforce to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of our people.
By working in partnership and being ambitious, we can drive improvements in mental health across the sector, ensuring a positive working environment for our current and future workforce.
Today’s consultation is a vital step in that journey, enabling us to bring together the views of industry in this space to inform our public Spring 2026 action plan. I would encourage you to respond and give us your views”.
Feed your response into the consultation here
by Clair Mooney | 25 Sep, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Following the publication of Build UK’s latest version of the Common Assessment Standard on 1 July, a number of Build UK members have confirmed that companies in their supply chain must complete the mandatory Building Safety section by 1 October 2025. This applies to all companies carrying out work under the Building Safety Act.
Those members include BAM, Bowmer + Kirkland, Galliford Try, Kier, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Tilbury Douglas, VINCI and Wates, and companies working for any of these organisations should check that they have now completed the Building Safety section. The guide to the Common Assessment Standard question set includes guidance on answering the questions, including the evidence that can be submitted to support a response and where further information can be found.
If you have already the Common Assessment Standard from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies you do not need to obtain certification again from any others. Instead, they can agree to share their data at no cost with the other Recognised Assessment Bodies so it is visible to more Contractors and Clients. Don’t duplicate: giving permission to share your data is quick and simple and will help businesses across the supply chain to save time, reduce costs and win work.
The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry included a recommendation to introduce a licensing scheme for Principal Contractors wishing to work on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). Build UK has met with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to present the Common Assessment Standard, which is already used by over 21,000 suppliers to demonstrate their organisational capability. As a next step, we have been asked by MHCLG to host a joint roundtable with members that undertake the role of Principal Contractor on HRBs to discuss the objectives of a licensing scheme and how existing initiatives such as the Common Assessment Standard might be used effectively.
by Oscar Venus | 19 Sep, 2025 | Skills
The Skills Centre is launching it’s new training centre in Essex on Friday 10 October.
This new training hub is all about helping people across the region kickstart their careers in the finishes and interiors sector. With a focus on Interior Systems and Dry Lining, it’s set to be a key spot for skill development in Essex’s construction world.
What’s Happening on the Day:
- Take a tour of our brand-new facilities and see live training in action
- Hear from learners who are already on their way to a great career with us
- Meet the team and our partners who are driving skills and jobs across Essex
- Enjoy some light refreshments and network with other guests and industry leaders
Who Should Come?
This event is perfect for:
- Employers and contractors in the finishes and interiors sector
- Local authorities, councillors, and GLA reps
- Skills and education providers
- Community leaders, referral partners, and industry contacts
- Policy-makers, funders, and anyone interested in the sector
If you would like to come along, please register using this link Launch of The Skills Centre Essex Tickets, Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM | Eventbrite
For more information please contact Beena Nana or Marie Flinter
by Oscar Venus | 19 Sep, 2025 | Skills
CITB has commissioned BMG research to carry out its workforce mobility and skills research throughout the construction industry in the UK.
The research is undertaken every 2 to 3 years and aims to gather information from around 3,500 manual or semi-skilled construction workers at sites around the UK to update CITB on how far site-workers travel to work and the training and qualifications they hold.
CITB want to use this work to improve their understanding of occupational and geographic movement across the industry.
Workers are asked to provide information about their employment history, skills, training and qualifications achieved, interest in changing trade/occupation (and whether training would be required), miles travelled to work daily, and distance from main/permanent home if living away for work. All responses remain anonymous and are not shared with their employer.
There is a survey link available which can be shared with individuals to enable them to participate in their own time and at their own pace.
To access the link they just need to type: CITBsurvey.co.uk into their internet browser, on their smart phone, tablet or laptop
BMG Research always observes the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. You can find out more information about our surveys and what we do with the information we collect in our Privacy Notice which is available here: https://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/privacy
If you have any queries about this research or would like some more information, please contact the team at BMG at citb@bmgresearch.com or call on 0121 333 6006
by Clair Mooney | 18 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
The energy market has seen some big developments in recent weeks, with new charges and increased grid costs set to impact all businesses.
To help cut through the noise, FIS Associate Member Enexus Energy, has created a jargon-free guide that explains:
- The new Nuclear RAB levy (what it is, how much it costs, and when it starts)
- Why TNUoS transmission charges are rising much more than expected
- The potential impact on standing charges and existing contracts
- What options may be available to help mitigate the increases
These are complex changes that have a lot of different variables. But broadly speaking, businesses will see an increase in standing charges for fixed contracts from 2026 onwards.
If you are interested in reviewing your energy, Enexus is offering FIS members a free energy health check to help save money, boost efficiency, and plan ahead with confidence. You can find out more about this offer at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/enexus/
by Clair Mooney | 17 Sep, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Building on its Gateway Two guidance, Build UK has published an
overview of Gateway Three and the information and documents that must be included within an application to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for a Completion Certificate for a Higher-Risk Building (HRB). Gateway Three is a new application process which requires all the information to be submitted, even where it was previously provided as part of the
Gateway Two application.
The Build UK guide, which is available to FIS members through our membership of Build UK, is aligned with the BSR application portal and sets out the full list of questions that must be completed, including whether they are multiple choice, free text or a PDF document upload, to make it as easy as possible for members preparing and submitting a Gateway Three application. If a Partial Completion Strategy was agreed at Gateway Two and part of the building is intended to be occupied before work is completed on the rest of the building, then a Partial Completion Certificate must be applied for in relation to the work that has been completed. As is the case at Gateway Two, the BSR will carry out an initial assessment of the Gateway Three application to ensure that all the documents required have been submitted, which is known as the validation stage.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published updated guidance on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations in relation to the fire performance of flat entrance doors in existing blocks of flats. Designed to help Responsible Persons comply with their obligations to check that fire doors are regularly checked and remain suitable in accordance with the fire risk assessment originally undertaken, the update clarifies that the regulations do not require all existing flat entrance doors to be replaced to satisfy current standards for new blocks of flats as required by the Building Regulations.
The BSR and the Leasehold Advisory Service have launched a free online building safety training programme for Resident Management Companies to help them understand the Building Safety Act and their legal obligations for managing safety in High-Rise Residential Buildings.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
Local Government East (LGE) is seeking to understand micro / small businesses experiences of working with councils, or their reasons for choosing not to trade with them.
This short survey, which will only take two minutes of your time and is completely anonymous, will help LGE understand how they can remove barriers for small/ micro businesses accessing public sector business.
Over 95% of all registered UK companies are small or micro businesses. These businesses make an essential contribution to the prosperity of local communities and we would urge everyone to make their voice heard
The survey link is here and responses are required by Friday 3 October 2025.
by Clair Mooney | 12 Sep, 2025 | Awards
The FIS Scottish Awards are a celebration of the exceptional work and diverse range of projects carried out in Scotland. On 12 September, the awards ceremony was held at the impressive voco Grand Central Glasgow. The event was hosted by ex-professional referee John Rowbotham and was well-attended, with guests eagerly anticipating the announcement of this year’s winners.
The ceremony began with a short speech from FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee followed by a welcome address from FIS President Ian Strangward who highlighted the organisation’s activities in 2025 and plans for the future.
After a fantastic three-course lunch, the presentation of the awards began. The winners were as follows:
Specialist Installation category:
- Gold Award: Linear Projects for its installation at the W Hotel in Edinburgh
- Silver Award: Indeglas for its installation at the Haymarket Buildings in Edinburgh
Interior Fit Out category
- Gold Award: MPACT Group for its installation at Virgin Money in Glasgow
- Silver Award: Clansman Interiors for its installation at Future Beauty Labs in Glasgow
Project of the Year
- MPACT Group for its installation at Virgin Money in Glasgow
Apprentice of the Year: Josh Markie of Brian Hendry Interiors
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike McLaughlin, former Managing Director of Roskel
Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award: Ricky Spinelli, former Managing Director Roskel
Congratulations to all our winners, and to everyone who entered.
by Iain McIlwee | 11 Sep, 2025 | Main News Feed
