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: 30 April
New Super‐Deduction
From 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim a 130% super‐deduction capital allowance and a 50% first‐year allowance for qualifying special rate assets. This will allow companies to reduce their tax bill by up to 25p for every £1 they invest. Qualifying plant and machinery include lorries and vans, ladders, drills and cranes, as well as computer equipment and servers, and office chairs and desks.
With much of the UK’s productivity gap attributable to low levels of business investment, the Government is hoping that the super‐deduction will give companies a strong incentive to bring planned investments forward and make additional investments. Further information can be found in the Government’s factsheet.
EU Settled Status Deadline
Workers from the EU or EEA who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and wish to continue living and working in the UK without a visa from 1 July need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as a matter of urgency. Applications must be submitted by 30 June 2021 and workers will receive settled or pre‐settled status depending on how long they have been living in the UK when they apply.
Whilst it is the responsibility of the individual to submit an application, members may wish to provide support to their employees, and there is a comprehensive pack for employers containing a range of useful resources you can share with employees to help them apply.
Flexible Working in Construction
Build UK has been working with Timewise to explore the potential for more flexible working on site. Whilst the industry is keen to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce, its traditional working patterns can deter young people from joining, create a barrier to women remaining in construction, and contribute to the mental health challenges highlighted by many. The findings of the pioneering Timewise programme, which is supported by CITB and Barclays LifeSkills, will be published in June, demonstrating that there is a great opportunity for employers to work in different ways.
As a result of the work undertaken on this project, the Construction Talent Retention Scheme now includes an option to specify flexible/hybrid working when listing or searching vacancies and by offering greater flexibility we can keep vital skills within the industry.
New CMA Construction Campaign
Following numerous investigations into anti‐competitive behaviour amongst construction firms, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a dedicated ‘Cheating or Competing’ campaign with tailored advice and guidance for the sector. With construction firms fined a total of £67 million and 11 directors disqualified in recent years, the campaign is designed to raise awareness of competition law and remind directors of their responsibilities so that others in the industry are aware of the risks and avoid making similar mistakes.
Women in Construction
Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol chaired a discussion with Minister for Women Baroness Berridge earlier this week, where Katy Dowding (Vice President of Skanska), Lianne Lawson (a construction manager from Willmott Dixon), and India Penny (a civil engineering apprentice from BAM Nuttall) shared their experiences of working in the industry.
Pre‐Qualification Reform
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has become our first Trade Association member to adopt the Common Assessment Standard as part of its membership audit process, which means members certified to the standard will be exempt from completing the business management section of the audit, further reducing duplication for the supply chain.
Restrictions in Scotland
Scotland has now moved to Protection Level 3 in its timetable for easing coronavirus restrictions. Non‐essential work inside people’s homes is now permitted to take place ‐ including painting, decorating, and performing repairs ‐ and those on the shielding list may return to the workplace if they cannot work from home.
The Public Sector & SMEs
Market intelligence provider Tussell has produced a practical guide for SMEs that want to do more business with the public sector. The guide explains how to identify and win tenders, either individually or as part of a consortium, by targeting particular sectors. Members will need to submit contact details to download the guide.
Build UK Achievements in April
- Increased the number of organisations specifying the Common Assessment Standard to 10
- Published a comprehensive guide to PI insurance to help the industry obtain it in the current market
- As part of our consultation process for CITB Consensus, secured member support for the ‘Levy In ‐ Skills Out’ proposal, which sets out the services that employers expect in return for paying a levy
- Supported the CLC call for ‘Business Champions’ as part of the COnstructZero programme
- Updated our guide on workplace testing, as well as our COVID‐19 flowchart, following changes in Government guidance
- Collated information on Brexit into a new dedicated Brexit webpage
- Published a new factsheet on Birmingham Interchange Station, a critical part of the HS2 network
- Published the Construction State of Trade report for March