by Clair Mooney | 16 May, 2025 | Building Safety Act
FIS members have access to Build UK’s guide to the validation stage at Gateway Two, which sets out the documents that should be included within an application for Building Control Approval for a Higher-Risk Building (HRB). The May 2025 version confirms the following in line with the most recent guidance published by the BSR:
- Building Control Approval is not required for building work which consists only of exempt work, work carried out under a Competent Person Scheme, or an emergency repair to an existing HRB
- For ‘staged applications’, applicants are advised to contact the BSR prior to submission
- The ‘Description of Proposed Work’ document is being used by the BSR as a ‘project summary’ to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required of the Registered Building Inspector (RBI) when assembling the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
- Clarification on what should be included within the Construction Control Plan
- In the event an application is rejected, the BSR has advised that any new application should reference the previous one to enable the same MDT to be appointed.
In light of the significant issues with Gateway Two and the potential impact on the Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes, Building Safety Minister Alex Norris held a roundtable with industry leaders to understand what can be done to overcome them. The industry called for a ‘reset’ and urged the BSR to review the process, including providing greater clarity on what is expected within applications for Building Control Approval and increasing engagement with applicants. There was also a clear view that the BSR should share information on why applications are being rejected and publish regular updates on performance against the statutory timescales.
BSR charges increased from 1 April 2025
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has increased its fees for carrying out a range of building control functions from 1 April 2025. This includes processing an application for Building Control Approval at Gateway Two which now incurs an application fee of £189 plus the time spent reviewing it charged at £151 per hour per person working on the application.
by Clair Mooney | 15 May, 2025 | Main News Feed, Skills
As part of this process, members of the plastering sector are being contacted to participate in the review. This offers a chance for industry professionals to influence the standards that will ultimately shape N/SVQs.
CITB are seeking representation from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the consultation planned to begin in the next couple of weeks.
Interested parties can complete the provided form https://forms.office.com/e/rgVfxvSymW to participate.
More information on National Occupational Standards can be found here: National Occupational Standards (NOS) – CITB
by Clair Mooney | 13 May, 2025 | Main News Feed
The Home Office have announced that new measures were unveiled in the Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’ to reshape their immigration system towards those who contribute the most to economic growth, with higher skills standards for graduates and workers.
New requirements on employers to boost domestic training will end the reliance on international recruitment.
Every area of the immigration system – work, family, and study – will be tightened up, to reduce record-high levels of net migration and restore control and order to the immigration system.
Core principles of the plan include:
- Reduce net migration: Ensure migration levels are controlled and manageable.
- Link to UK skills needs: Align immigration with domestic training and skills requirements, avoiding over-reliance on foreign workers.
- Fair and clear rules: Make the system transparent and effective, with Parliament-defined rules, especially around family life.
- Enforce the rules: Strengthen enforcement, including tackling illegal work and deporting foreign criminals.
- Promote integration: Support community cohesion through English language requirements and assessing migrants’ contributions.
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee commented:
“It remains a concern that there is insufficient differentiation between the types of immigration.
“For me, it remains disappointing that the political need to drive down the headline numbers continue to overshadow the practical economic need to consider the merits of migration to key parts of the economy by considering the skills shortages that could well constrain growth.
“We have over the past 50 years, we have become increasingly reliant on immigration. While it’s encouraging to see renewed investment in the skills landscape, we are still not yet the beneficiaries of this investment. No one is arguing against investing in domestic training and modular construction, but that may not be enough in the short to medium term.”
Further information regarding the Immigration White Paper announcement can be found by visiting: Prime Minister’s remarks and Gov.uk news story
by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2025 | Main News Feed
FIS will be responding on behalf of its members to the Government green paper consultation on construction products reform. We have been in discussion with individuals throughout the supply chain and have gathered views across all areas of the consultation. Members have one more week to give us your comments if you wish for us to include them in our response, and would encourage you to contact jamesparlour@thefis.org with any comments you have.
Conversations with our members to date have highlighted a few key concerns:
- Lack of harmonisation between regulatory approaches for products with and without a designated standard, means that manufacturers may have to undergo very different processes in order to achieve compliance with regulations as designated standards are introduced over time, or depending on the products they sell. A universal approach that encompasses both product categories would be desirable.
- Recommendations of additional measures for safety critical products such as requiring the use of third party certification schemes are welcomed, however a proportional approach will be needed for some non-fire risk related performance characteristics that whilst potentially fulfilling the definition of safety critical, present a much lower risk in real terms.
- The requirement for manufacturers of products not covered by a designated standard to produce a risk assessment that eliminates or controls safety risk related to “reasonably foreseeable conditions of use” requires much more clarity to ensure that manufacturers are not held to unreasonable standards relating to improper use of products by other operators in the supply chain.
Peter Capelhorn of the Construction Products Association (CPA) recorded a webinar with Building Safety Minister Alex Norris MP there they discussed the consultation in detail which can be viewed here:
Construction Products Green Paper Webinar 030425
Anyone can respond directly to the consultation before 21/05/25 at the link below:
Construction Products Reform Green Paper – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Citizen Space
by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2025 | Main News Feed
FIS is proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 12–18 May 2025, led by the Mental Health Foundation. This year’s theme – community – serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection in supporting our mental wellbeing.
Being part of a positive, safe community helps people to feel supported, find purpose, and know they are not alone, values that align strongly with our mission at FIS. In the finishes and interiors sector, building a culture that prioritises mental health is more important than ever.
To support this, FIS has created a Mental Health Hub, offering access to resources, best practice guidance, and signposting for members and their teams. We encourage everyone in the sector to take a moment during this week to connect with others, share experiences, and promote a culture of care and support within their organisations.
Visit the FIS Mental Health Hub to find out more.
Let’s continue to build strong, connected communities, both on and off-site.
by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2025 | Contractual and Legal
With recent figures revealing that the construction industry experienced the highest number of insolvencies over the past year, the resilience of the supply chain remains a priority, and Build UK’s contract terms recommendation identifies six contract terms which should be avoided to promote collaboration and ensure a fair allocation of risk
- Fitness for Purpose – Do not include a ‘fitness for purpose’ standard of care for design (except in the process sector)
- Unquantifiable Risks – Do not include delay/loss and expense risk where not reasonably ascertainable for dealing with asbestos; fossils, antiquities and other objects of interest or value; unexploded ordnance; and the carrying out by statutory bodies of work in pursuance of their statutory obligations
- ‘Specified Perils’ – Do not include that ‘Specified Perils’ (as defined in JCT) will not give rise to extension of time where caused by the (sub-)contractor
- Breach of Contract – Do not include a blanket indemnity for breach of contract
- Uncapped Liabilities – Do not include uncapped (sub-)contractor liability (save for certain aggregate cap carve-outs)
- Performance Securities – Do not use a pure on-demand performance bond; a Parent Company Guarantee (PCG) which does not include a ‘no greater liability’ clause and equivalent rights of defence; or a collateral warranty which does not include a ‘no greater liability’ clause.
Build UK have published comprehensive guidance to help implement the recommendation, explaining why each term should not be used and setting out ways to manage the underlying issues more effectively, with specific guidance for JCT and NEC contracts. The recommendation is non‐binding and FIS members are free to negotiate their own contractual terms with their clients.
by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2025 | Main News Feed
With the Employment Rights Bill expected to receive Royal Assent this summer, FIS members are encouraged to review upcoming changes that will significantly reshape the employment landscape. Described by Government as the ‘biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’, the Bill introduces new rights and protections, improved working conditions, and stronger enforcement measures.
FIS Partner Citation has published a helpful overview of the proposed reforms, which include removing the two-year qualifying period for unfair dismissal, day-one rights to leave and sick pay, and making flexible working the default unless proven unreasonable. Most changes are expected to take effect by April 2026.
We urge members to familiarise themselves with these changes and review existing HR policies. You can download the guide from Citation (basic contact details required), and FIS members can also access tailored advice by calling 0161 504 0843 and quoting their membership.
This is a significant moment for employers, early planning will ensure a smoother transition.
by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2025 | Market data
On 8 May, the U.K. and the U.S. agreed a trade deal. The full details have not been outlined, but overall, the agreement leaves tariffs on most UK goods entering the US at a higher rate (10%) than before the tariff disruptions (around 2.5% on average). There is little direct economic impact given that only 2% of GDP comes from goods exports to the U.S., but it is helpful that the U.K. has agreed to a trade deal to prevent the risk that tariffs go up substantially at the end of the 90-day pause. It may also be a strong positive for some affected sectors and companies. For example, for U.K. steel and aluminium, the U.S. tariffs of 25% announced in March have been reduced to zero. However, it is currently unclear whether this will also apply to steel and aluminium derivative products as well, so the full details of the agreement will be important. Interest rate cuts announced yesterday have already been factored in to growth forecasts, but should provide stimulus, particularly in the housing sector.
by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2025 | Health and Safety
FIS welcomes and supports the joint call by industry groups across the EU and UK for a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) on conformity assessment. The position paper, co-signed by Construction Products Europe and the Construction Products Association (CPA), outlines a clear and pragmatic case for reducing technical barriers to trade between the two regions.
The proposed MRA would allow products certified in either the UK or EU to be recognised in both markets, avoiding the need for costly and duplicative assessments. This is especially critical for manufacturers and suppliers in the finishes and interiors sector, many of whom are SMEs already facing increased regulatory and financial pressures.
Key benefits of the MRA include:
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Lower compliance costs, supporting export growth
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Improved market access and regulatory certainty
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Greater capacity and competition among conformity assessment bodies
As discussions continue ahead of the EU-UK Summit on 19 May, FIS echoes the call for this agreement to be prioritised. It represents a practical step toward rebuilding frictionless trade and strengthening economic ties between the UK and EU construction sectors.
FIS will continue to work closely with CPA and other stakeholders to champion sensible solutions that benefit our members and the wider industry.
