by Nicky Smith | 23 Mar, 2017 | Main News Feed
Government has issued a consultation proposing to introduce a VAT reverse charge in construction. This will affect many firms within FIS membership and we should respond as soon as possible; it is likely that legislation will be enacted quickly due to the Government’s classification as serious fraud.
We have a short window to influence what will be introduced – the consultation opened on 20 March and will close on 9 June.
It is essential that anyone and everyone who is involved with the accounting for contracts and has any knowledge of VAT, reads the proposals and sends FIS their views and responds to the consultation. We need your views and ideas about which proposals will work and which will be difficult and costly to operate.
This proposal is unlikely to go away simply because we say we do not like it. If it is unworkable, we must make suggestions to make it more workable.
Please follow this link to the government consultation document and also email your comments to FIS: info@thefis.org
by Nicky Smith | 22 Mar, 2017 | Main News Feed
As part of a major crackdown by the Competition and Markets Authority, whistleblowers are being offered up to £100,000 for exposing price-fixing in construction.
The reward is being highlighted as the CMA launches its first-ever advertising campaign to stamp out cartel activity.
It applies to all industries, but recent research by the CMA highlighted construction as most at risk to anti-competitive behaviour. The research revealed that 44% of businesses who had been in contact with others in their industry, were in contact in relation to a transaction and approaching one in 10 openly reported that they had discussed prices. This rose to 22% for the construction sector.
Construction also exhibited the strongest signs of anti-competitive behaviour with over two-fifths of businesses feeling they had been disadvantaged through the non-compliant behaviour of competitors.
Businesses found to have been involved in illegal cartels can be fined up to 10% of their annual turnover, while individuals can face up to five years in prison and directors can be disqualified from holding director positions for up to 10 years. These can be reduced or eliminated altogether where a business or individual reports their involvement in a cartel and co-operates fully with the CMA’s investigation.
To report a cartel, email: cartelshotline@cma.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 0800 085 1664 / 020 3738 6888.
by Nicky Smith | 22 Mar, 2017 | Main News Feed
Contractor Durkan is holding a free supplier engagement event on 29 March between 10am to 12pm. They are looking to place deals worth £4m with subcontractors and suppliers on its latest mixed use scheme in Aylesbury.
After signing a deal with Aylesbury Vale District Council to build a five storey scheme containing retail, food and beverage outlets, Durkan is looking for firms with experience in: Metsec, screed/render, carpentry, plaster drylining, soft flooring, ceramic tiling and decoration.
The event will take place at The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF and is free for all attendees.
To register your place, click here.
by Nicky Smith | 6 Mar, 2017 | Main News Feed
The CPA has released the updated roadmap showing the progress of the numerous Delegated Acts to the Construction Products Regulation, as at 27 February 2017.
Members should be aware of the following issues and progress of these delegated acts:
• Classification without further testing of external renders and internal plasters based on organic binders, rendering and plastering mortars with regard to reaction to fire
• Emissions of dangerous substances into indoor air linked to construction products
• Resistance to fire performance of construction products
• Delegated decision on the AVCP systems for dangerous substances
Read the document here.
by Nicky Smith | 2 Mar, 2017 | Main News Feed
A summary of the data revealed that there was a modest rise in construction output, but cost pressures remained at an eight-and-a-half year high. Other key findings were: Solid upturn in civil engineering activity underpins growth in February; House building activity expands at slowest pace for six months; Input price inflation little-changed from January’s peak.
by Nicky Smith | 23 Feb, 2017 | Main News Feed
FIS is in the process of producing a new guide to office fit-out and refurbishment. We require images that we can utilise to reinforce the key messages within the guide along with examples of:
– different types of interiors
– mood boards
– concept designs
– schedules
– work in progress
The guide will be aimed at end users, professionals and fit-out contractors, helping to explain the process to clients and demonstrate best practice. If you have any high-resolution images and/or any tips on fit-out and refurbishment that we can use in publicising the guide, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Please email Erika Skinner erikaskinner@thefis.org no later than Monday 13 March.
We anticipate that the guide will be ready for launch early in the summer.
by Nicky Smith | 23 Feb, 2017 | Main News Feed
FIS member Saint Gobain is hosting a free Apprenticeship Levy workshop on 3 March, in Birmingham, on behalf of Supply Chain Sustainability School.
The workshop is targeted to SMEs to aid understanding of the new Levy and its implications for them.
The Government is introducing the new Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017. This has been designed to increase the use of apprentices within business, changing the way
organisations recruit and train their apprentices throughout the construction supply chain.
By attending the workshop you will:
– Hear from CITB on the changes to the Apprenticeship scheme and how they affect you
– Explore the implications for your organisation
– Be able to share best practice with your peers
– Influence the guidance produced by Supply Chain Sustainability School and ensure it is fit for use
The workshop runs between 09:30 – 12:00 at Saint Gobain’s Greenworks Training Academy, Unit 1, Bromford Central, Bromford Lane, Birmingham, B8 2SE.
To book your free place, click here
by Nicky Smith | 17 Feb, 2017 | Main News Feed
Today is the final chance to provide your company’s training needs, enabling the FIS skills team to evidence a bid for £3.2 million of training funding.
We have a shortened version of the Training Needs Analysis to aid members in returning by the end of today – Friday 17 February: https://www.thefis.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/TNA-v2.pdf
Please return all completed forms to Penny Yeulet: pennyyeulet@thefis.org
Your evidence is crucial in helping the team collate the bid, thus giving members opportunity to provide their workforce with the required skills in 2017.
If you need assistance, or would like to give your figures over the telephone, please contact Penny who will put you in touch with one of the skills team.
by Nicky Smith | 15 Feb, 2017 | Main News Feed
From 31 March 2017, the CRO card issued by Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) will cease. All CRO cards issued after October 2015 will expire on 30 September 2017 whereas cards issued before October 2015 will remain valid until their expiry date.
According to the CSCS website the withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation card will affect over 230,000 CRO card holders, however there are solutions for the following scenarios:
– If you already have an approved qualification you will be eligible to apply for a skilled worker card without having to complete any further qualifications.
– There are over 70 occupations that are better represented by one of CSCS’s Partner Card Schemes. If your occupation is listed on this form you need to contact the appropriate scheme to discuss the application requirements.
– A number of CRO occupations are classified as labouring and should be moved to the green Labourer Card. If you are a CRO cardholder working in a labouring occupation, you must complete an approved qualification and apply for the green Labourer Card.
– There are over 60 occupations classed as non-construction related and will be removed from the scheme. If you fall within one of these occupations it will be the responsibility of site managers to induct you as a non-construction related worker and escort you where appropriate in order to carry out work safely on site.
In order to comply with the Construction Leadership Council’s requirement, further investigation and collaboration will continue in the following two areas:
– There are a number of CRO occupations with existing qualifications that do not meet the nationally recognised standards for those skilled occupations. Industry is working together to bring these qualifications up to the agreed nationally recognised standards.
– Industry has identified 25 CRO occupations that require further investigation before making a decision. If your occupation is one of these, CSCS are asking for individuals or sector representatives involved in these occupations to get in touch with the CSCS team.
To find out more, visit the CSCS website.
