Coronavirus update for construction: Wednesday April 1

Grant Prior 5 years ago
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Introduction
This short briefing has been prepared on behalf of the UK construction sector to brief companies and individuals on the ongoing repercussions of the Covid-19 coronavirus for our sector.

New industry survey – 30 March

As part of our work to assess the impact of Covid-19 on the construction sector, we have been carrying out a series of surveys. Thank you to all firms that have taken part in the surveys. The latest version can be found at the following link here. While the questions are similar to previous versions, please do fill in this version as it allows us to assess changes in the industry over time.

Letter from Secretary of State for Business
Secretary of State for Business Alok Sharma has written to the construction industry to offer thanks for the work that it has done to help in the fight against coronavirus, and to confirm that continuing work is consistent with the Chief Medical Officer’s advice.

Temporary suspension of sites

The Construction Leadership Council, working with the Construction Coronavirus Taskforce, has developed advice on temporary suspension of sites to ensure that any closures can be achieved as safely as possible, avoiding potential issues while the site is not active. Read the document here

Coronavirus toolbox talk for site operatives

CITB has developed a coronavirus toolbox talk  to be delivered to construction workers by their immediate line manager or supervisor.

Remediation and COVID-19: Building Safety update

Making buildings safe, including progressing the remediation of high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding, particularly those with unsafe Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding; and maintaining measures to ensure buildings are safe ahead of remediation, remains a priority for the Government. It has now put in place additional project management support with construction expertise to help oversee remediation. The additional support will identify blockers to progress and work directly with those responsible for remediation to support individual projects. This new team will work with those responsible for remediation and the Government to understand the impact of Covid-19 on remediation projects and identify ways to reduce the impact on pace. Links to useful sources of information which the construction industry and others with an interest in building safety may find helpful within the current context are available here.

Temporary changes to Right to Work (RTW) checks
Since 30 March 2020, Right to Work checks have been temporarily adjusted to make it easier for employers to carry them out during the coronavirus outbreak. Until further notice, employers do not need to see original documents and can complete Right to Work checks over video calls. Prospective workers are now able to submit scanned documents, rather than originals, to show they have the right to work. Checks continue to be necessary and it is an offence to knowingly employ or let property to anyone who does not have legal immigration status in the UK.

If prospective or existing employees cannot provide any of the accepted documents, employers should use the Employer Checking Service. Once the temporary changes end, employers will be asked to carry out prescribed checks on existing employees who started work during the pandemic.

 

 

The Briefing has been prepared in collaboration between the industry’s leading trade and representative bodies: Association for Consultancy & Engineering, Builders Merchant Federation, Build UK, Chartered Institute of Building, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Construction Industry Council, Construction Plant-hire Association, Construction Products Association, Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), Federation of Master Builders, National Federation of Builders, and Institution of Civil Engineers. We are grateful to Building, Construction Enquirer, Construction Manager, Construction News, Highways, Infrastructure Intelligence, and New Civil Engineer for support in distribution to the wider industry.

Latest news

Construction firms blast “true cost of Budget”

Firms fear tax hikes will lead to reduced hours and job cuts for staff
19 hours ago

Steel bridge specialist sold to staff

Nusteel Structures Group becomes industry's latest Employee Owned Trust
19 hours ago

Ex-Lendlease chief to lead Euston housing regeneration

Bek Seeley to head Euston Housing Delivery Group
19 hours ago

Ardmore lands Kensington hotel revamp

Contractor to transform former Kensington Holiday Inn
19 hours ago

RED wins £35m brace of projects in Bristol

Works include student halls and major facade fire safety remediation
20 hours ago

Wates starts £300m Gartree super prison job

Early works start on 1,700-prison place job next to existing prison
2 days ago

Five road schemes worth £1.3bn axed

Still no decision on £1.5bn A66 upgrade or £9bn Lower Thames Crossing
2 days ago

Budget: Chancellor to fund HS2 tunnels to Euston

Schools and hospitals get extra £1.85bn cash injection to tackle work backlog
3 days ago

Skills card changes will mean fewer labourers

CSCS wants to cut the numbers with 500,000 labourer cards currently in circulation
2 days ago

Wates hires former ISG fit-out chief to lead new team

Lee Phillips to head up new London office fit-out arm
3 days ago

Major London offices to student rooms scheme approved

65 Fleet Street office block to be converted to 850-student rooms
2 days ago

M Group Services buys MEICA contractor BGEN

Warrington-based engineering contractor employs 1500 staff
2 days ago

VINCI Construction swoops for FM Conway

Conway family sells £580m turnover Kent-based highways contractor
3 days ago

United Living bolts on property upkeep firm Pilon

Deal to buy £40m turnover social housing property services contractor
3 days ago

Sheffield facade specialist bought by Swedish firm

Building envelope giant Fasadgruppen makes first UK acquisition
3 days ago

Nexus buys Coleman Construction & Utilities for £5.4m

Nexus moves into civils with acquisition of East Sussex contractor
3 days ago

Councils get £68m to clear brownfield sites

Site renovation work will clear way for 5,200 new homes
3 days ago

Private investor buys Midlands contractor MCS

Deal values £100m revenue building contractor at £22m
3 days ago

Willmott Dixon to build Oxford net zero council HQ

Work to start next year on net zero office upgrade as Old County Hall sold off
3 days ago

Phoenix subbies get pay less notices after ISG failure

Building services specialist tells suppliers they won't be getting paid
4 days ago

Midgard confirmed on £60m Golden Lane office contract

Main works will create 120,000 sq ft of prime office space on historic site
4 days ago

Van Elle buys Scottish specialist Albion Drilling for £3.5m

Acquisition builds capability in Scotland's booming energy sector
4 days ago

French PM and cost consultant Artelia buys Pick Everard

Artelia UK operations swell to nearly 1000 staff after bolting on UK consultant
4 days ago

Go-ahead for West London 58-storey resi skyscraper

North Acton scheme at Old Oak Common to form gateway to emerging cluster
4 days ago

Plans in for £200m Trafford Wharf scheme

Mid-rise tower scheme of over 850 build to rent and student homes
5 days ago

ISG Fit Out arm went down owing subbies £111m

Latest slew of debts brings initial supply chain hit to nearly £300m
5 days ago

Construction to grow 2.5% next year

Industry output expected to rebound after 2.9% fall this year
5 days ago

Chancellor finds over £1bn for new schools and social homes

Budget extra cash to get school builds back on track and boost affordable homes
5 days ago

ISG collapse brings down lighting specialist

30 jobs go as Cheltenham-based Seventynine Lighting Ltd ceases trading
1 week ago

Kier lands £100m naval helicopter base rebuild

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to get big upgrade
5 days ago

Contractor services