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Announcements provide indication on zero carbon effect on FM

This week has seen a number of government announcements confirming its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Included within these have been its 10-point plan, confirming investment and the main areas of concentration, providing more clarity and

Plans revealed for new autism-friendly housing development in Gateshead

FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Testing – is delighted to share this news story from Bdaily, which demonstrates real progress in the way the construction industry is now directly catering for people with particular health requirements. A North East

ACE resource on coronavirus

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has produced an online resource to ensure its members stay up to date with the latest information regarding the coronavirus. ACE champions infrastructure to government and other stakeholders, representing the views of around

Business secretary says thank you to all construction workers

Business secretary Alok Sharma has written an open letter addressed “to everyone working in the construction sector” to express his gratitude for the work being done. “Thank you to everyone operating in the UK construction sector,” he writes. “You are

FASET delivers first industry webinar on platform decking

On 4th November, Tony Seddon, Managing Director of FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) delivered a webinar to give industry practitioners a comprehensive overview of platform decking, including the benefits, the do’s and don’ts and introduce FASET’s supply partners of

The latest advice on self-employment income support and self-isolation

Following the announcement of the new national restrictions in place from 5th November 2020 regarding COVID-19, Build UK has issued a flowchart showing what to do if a worker has contracted the virus or has to self-isolate. The flowchart can

LONDON BOROUGHS SEEK SUPPORT FOR GREEN RETROFIT WORK

London boroughs have identified 375 shovel-ready projects, representing a £1.35bn pipeline of work – including the retrofitting of 18 large public buildings, 29 schools and thousands of homes across the capital. The councils have found £950m for the work but

CONSTRUCTION AIMS TO MAKE WORKING CONDITIONS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE DURING SECOND LOCKDOWN

Feedback on how to keep construction sites going safely on the eve of England’s second national lockdown on Thursday is being called for by the Construction Leadership Council, CLC. In a public letter, it flagged up its guidance on safe operation

Number of new homes registered this year so far ‘is down by 30%’

Much has been made of the downturn in new build after the start of the coronavirus pandemic in late March. There are very few industry sectors that haven’t been severely affected – travel and tourism and catering, for example, have

COVID-19 has made workplace sustainability goals clearer

The coronavirus pandemic has made 2020 one of the most memorable years for all the wrong reasons – or nearly all. The death toll both in the west and in developing countries has been terrifying, with the elderly and those

More women building careers in construction during COVID-19

Women looking for work during the coronavirus pandemic have told how a training programme has helped them secure new careers in the construction industry. Fifteen women have been trained by Capital City College Training (CCCT) and have been undertaking work

Job applications in the construction sector grow by 44.5% in Q3 as end of Job Retention Scheme looms

According to the latest quarterly job market report from CV-Library, job applications in the construction sector grew by 44.5% in Q3 2020 and by 21.2% year-on-year. The report looks at job market data throughout Q3 2020 and compares this with findings from the previous

RIBA publishes results of COVID-19 student survey

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published findings of its COVID-19 student survey, focusing on how architecture students have been affected by the pandemic. Architects are, of course, absolutely crucial in the construction supply chain, which is why

No Falls Foundation appoints its first Health and Safety Advisor

Following his retirement from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the end of September, Ray Cooke has kindly agreed to lend his invaluable and extensive experience to the No Falls Foundation, serving as its Health and Safety Advisor. The

Construction workers’ wages hit hardest during pandemic

Figures just released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the wages of construction workers have fallen more than in any other sector of the economy. The coronavirus has devastated economic output throughout the world, with many sectors

UK concrete and cement sector sets out net zero roadmap

The UK concrete and cement industry has launched a roadmap to become net negative by 2050, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits each year. UK Concrete, part of the Mineral Products Association (MPA), has identified that

Promoting mental health in construction

The importance of sustaining the workforce, making sure there is a constant stream of upcoming skilled talent, is well-documented in the construction industry. It is pleasing to see that a growing number of organisations believe that hand in hand with

Cautious welcome for September’s construction boost

As we reach the latter stages of arguably the most turbulent year in living memory, construction industry leaders have cautiously welcomed the quickest rise in new business since lockdown. However, fears linger that construction is currently in the ‘calm before

Scotland publishes construction recovery plan

Scotland’s Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) has published a plan aimed at steering the sector’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19. The plan focuses on the joint action required between the industry and the public sector to respond to the pandemic.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) cracks down on dust

Health and safety inspectors across Great Britain will be targeting construction firms to check that their health standards are up to scratch during a month-long inspection initiative, starting on Monday 5 October 2020. This is the fourth health-focused initiative of

Government Announces £3bn Plan to Upgrade Buildings

Homeowners can sign up for big savings on upgrades to their homes under the government’s £2 billion Green Homes Grant, with an additional £1 billion announced to improve the energy efficiency of publicly owned buildings. The Green Homes Grant scheme

CLC: Industry must lead the way in take-up of NHS COVID-19 App

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has reported that industry leaders have urged businesses of all sizes in UK construction to lead the way in ensuring the widest possible uptake of the NHS COVID-19 app, which launched in England and Wales

Jenrick announces next steps to put beauty and design at heart of planning system

It was announced on Tuesday 22nd September that Nicholas Boys Smith has been appointed to establish a new design body, tasked with driving up design standards. He will lead an expert group advising the government on how to embed beauty

Construction furlough figures revealed

New data released by HMRC and reported in a number of publications has revealed that construction industry companies claiming through the government’s job retention scheme reached £3.2bn at the end of July. This puts construction firms behind only the retail,

2,000 residential buildings still awaiting safe cladding

The Grenfell disaster in 2017 was a tragedy that rightly prompted a greater emphasis on fire safety in buildings over a certain height. While there has been good progress in the public sector to replace dangerous cladding, many more “at

New talent retention scheme for construction industry

The Construction Leadership Council has launched the Talent Retention Scheme (CLC TRS) to keep essential talent within the UK Construction industry. Sustainability of skilled personnel is one of the biggest issues facing the construction industry, and one which FASET is

Draft Building Safety Bill Update

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is formulating its response to the draft Building Safety Bill, including a submission to the parliamentary pre-legislative inquiry on the Bill. FASET, Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training, has observed this development with interest. FASET has

Re-evaluating training and certification for the “new normal”

FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) has long been a foundation in supporting its members with expert quality guidance, dedicated training and exclusive membership benefit schemes all with the intention of promoting a safer way of working. We strive to

FASET retains SSiP Registered Member status

FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) is delighted and proud to have passed its audit and retained its SSiP Registered Member status. SSiP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) was founded in May 2009 following the government report on accelerating the SME

Government campaign to encourage a return to the office

The Transport Minister has told a London radio station that: “Our central message is pretty straightforward: we are saying to people it is now safe to return to work.” Grant Shapps, in an interview with LBC radio, revealed that the

UK Construction buoyed by third-quarter growth

The UK is reportedly on track for a record economic resurgence during the third quarter of the year, with the construction industry continuing to enjoy an impressive period of growth. City of London economists have predicted a 14.3% rise in GDP

Debate over wearing face masks on site continues

The coronavirus pandemic has raised all kinds of new health and safety concerns and a raft of new guidance measures for organisations in all sectors. In the construction and FM sectors, where the vast majority of work is carried out

Planning reforms to help government’s “build, build, build” campaign

FASET, as the construction industry’s not-for-profit organisation providing quality guidance and training amongst workers, has noted with interest the wholesale reform of the planning system in England announced by the Government. The planning system has been described as being prone

Help for apprentices – the lifeblood of the industry

The construction industry needs a constant flow of new skilled workers coming through in order to meet demand and be sustainable. Therefore, the following announcement from the government is very welcome. In addition to the funding of £1,000 already available

Green Homes Grants – green shoots of recovery?

The UK is now officially in a recession, with some speculating it could be the deepest for many years. The government’s commitment to “Build build build” offers some relief and hope for the construction and FM sectors and the Construction

Construction contracting update

Secretary of State for Housing Robert Jenrick announced major changes to the planning system in an article for The Telegraph recently. The reforms will introduce simpler and faster processes to deliver the homes and places needed in areas designated for

Further easing of COVID-19 restrictions good news for employers

The latest government update on the easing of lockdown restrictions in England, issued on 31st July and following a rise in the number of coronavirus cases, includes the following: whilst there are local restrictions on household contact in certain areas,

Affordable Homes Scheme Will Support Construction Sector

The Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme 2020, approximated at £3 billion, will increase investment in providers of affordable housing and support the delivery of a significant number of new affordable homes. The contract for a delivery partner to operate the scheme

Executive summary of the NICPP 2020/21 published

Build UK has published an executive summary of the National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21 to help the industry understand recent Government announcements on the delivery of £37 billion of economic and social infrastructure projects. Build UK is a

FASET plans to secure worker safety for the new ‘workspace’

FASET plans to secure worker safety for the new ‘workspace’ With a mass shift to remote working since late March 2020, a number of FM experts and commentators are speculating that COVID-19 will bring an end to the office as

Scotland moves to Phase 4 of Construction Restart Plan

Scotland moves to Phase 4 of Construction Restart Plan Construction sites in Scotland have been given the go ahead to progress to Phase 4 of the Construction Restart Plan, with physical distancing being maintained or controlled close working with PPE.

CSCS introduces Prepaid Accounts Facility

CSCS introduces Prepaid Accounts Facility The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has launched a new Prepaid Accounts facility. Prepaid Accounts can be loaded with credit and then used to pay for CSCS card applications. This means that CSCS card applications

“The biggest challenge to building safety for 40 years”

The government has finished drafting the Building Safety Bill, which it describes as containing the biggest changes to building safety for 40 years. The draft bill brings in new regulations in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire and

CLC issues three new guidance documents for construction companies

CLC issues three new guidance documents for construction companies The Construction Leadership council (CLC) has published three new guidance documents to help companies in the construction sector to manage the impact of COVID-19 on their business. The first of these,

New Government guidance on Apprenticeships

New government guidance on apprenticeships Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the construction industry and it is vital that the next generation of workers has access to the latest skills, training and guidance to ensure they can perform all disciplines of

Government publication indicates commitment to ‘Build Build Build’

Build, build, build Following the publication of the National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21, the government appears to have made a solid commitment to ‘Build Build Build’. This is obviously welcome news for the construction industry and supply chain,

“Be Safe, Don’t Fall, Stay Alive”

“Be Safe, Don’t Fall, Stay Alive” The No Falls Foundation – the UK’s only charity devoted exclusively to the work at height sector – has launched a new initiative called ‘Be Safe, Don’t Fall, Stay Alive’. Despite the pressures to

The HSE announces a fall in working at height fatalities

Last week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released its ‘Workplace Fatal Injuries in Great Britain 2020’ annual statistics. Headline figures from the report are: 111 workers were killed in 2019/20 RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)

The government announces new plans to get Britain building again

Measures to help the construction industry to boost building and return to work safely are being introduced this week (commencing 22nd June). The announcement from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP stated that planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals

Easing of guidelines good news for safety systems industry

On 23rd June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Britain’s “long hibernation period” as edging towards its end. He was, of course, referring to the gradual relaxing of guidelines for living with the coronavirus over the last few weeks and in

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: a guide

The government has announced that from 1st July 2020, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing. The new document is available here: Claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: a step by step guide for employers