Build UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. By bringing together Clients, Main Contractors, Trade Associations representing over 11,500 Specialist Contractors and other organisations committed to industry collaboration, Build UK represents in excess of 40% of UK construction.
Their regular updates contain important information for our industry.
Last updated: 9 September
Looking Ahead to 2022
Thank you to all those Build UK members that joined our member calls this week ‐ it was great to welcome everyone back after the summer break and we are looking forward to a busy end to the year! Our Trade Association members heard from the team behind Talentview Construction ahead of its launch next week, whilst our Contractor members looked ahead to priorities for 2022. We also discussed the results of our latest survey on social distancing which revealed that 79% of Contractor members will be maintaining elements of the Site Operating Procedures on some or all of their sites until the end of the year, including enhanced cleaning regimes, social distancing in common areas and increased welfare facilities.
With the industry confirming its support for the continuation of the CITB Levy, our next member call on Tuesday 12 October will welcome new CITB Chief Executive Tim Balcon who will share his thoughts on CITB’s future and take your questions. You should have received a calendar invite with the details and please accept it to confirm your attendance or email [email protected].
Industry Supports CITB Levy
CITB has published the results of this year’s Consensus process, which confirm that 66% of employers by number and 63% by Levy paid supported the Levy Proposals for 2022‐25. Eleven out of the 14 Prescribed Organisations, including Build UK, voted in favour, and these results were weighted alongside those of employers that are not in membership of a Prescribed Organisation. The overall results reflected Build UK’s position of a lower level of support than in previous years and the industry will be looking for fundamental changes within CITB to deliver the services and support required to meet the industry’s skills needs.
CITB has now sent the Levy Proposals to the Department for Education, which is expected to work towards having the Levy Order in place by the second quarter of 2022. This will mean that the Levy continues at rates of 0.35% for PAYE and 1.25% for NET CIS Sub‐Contractors.
Dip in Construction Activity
The latest information from Builders’ Conference shows that there were 454 contracts worth £4.7 billion awarded in August. Whilst this was lower than the previous month as the industry had its traditional and well‐deserved summer break, both the number and value of contracts awarded this August were higher than August 2020, indicating that construction’s recovery is holding steady. 41% of all the contracts awarded by value were housing (£1.9 billion), 16% were office projects (£754 million) and 9% were education projects (£407 million).
The number of tender opportunities was 22% down on July and remained 40% below the monthly average for the past year.
Public Sector Carbon Reduction Plan
From 30 September 2021, contractors bidding for central Government contracts worth more than £5 million a year will be required to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan, which confirms their commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and sets out the environmental management measures they will have in place during the performance of the contract. Carbon Reduction Plans must be updated at least once a year and meet the standard set out in Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21, which includes a template that contractors can use.
Open Doors 2021
Open Doors is now just over three weeks away and we are calling on all Contractor members to host at least one event between Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October to help us inspire the next generation to join construction! There are over 120 sites and virtual events listed and members have until 24 September to upload details to the Open Doors website.
Travelling in London
As more passengers start using the London transport network, Transport for London (TfL) is asking sites to revert to pre‐pandemic shift patterns so that construction workers can travel during the early morning period between 5:45am and 8:00am to help ease congestion. Everyone travelling on the TfL network must wear a face covering unless they are exempt.
Apprentice Incentive
Members wishing to apply for the apprentice incentive payment of up to £3,000 have until 30 September to take on an apprentice. Apprentices can be of any age and their apprenticeship must have started by the application deadline of 30 November. CITB has published further information on the range of support available.
Cyber Security Videos
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published more videos to help SMEs protect themselves against cyber‐attacks. The new videos cover Ransomware, Phishing and Establishing a Security Culture and follow publication of the dedicated NCSC cyber security guidance for small businesses earlier this year.
Attend the Build UK AGM
The Build UK AGM 2021 is taking place on Wednesday 29 September from 4:00pm ‐ 6:30pm and we are looking forward to bringing members together in person for the first time in 18 months! Our guest speaker will be Tony Danker, Director‐General of the CBI, who will share his thoughts on the key role our sector has to play in levelling up the UK.
We are offering the option to attend in person at The Building Centre (WC1E 7BT) or join us online to welcome Andy Steele as the new Build UK Chair. Joining instructions will be sent out next week and, if you have not already done so, please confirm your attendance as soon as possible.