CLC survey
The Construction Leadership Council has published the results of its People Survey which aimed to collect cross industry data on the impact of Coronavirus on employment levels. The survey found that some 32% of direct employees are currently furloughed, with all sectors of the industry having accessed the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme at some point.
There is anticipated to be a 7.7% reduction in the number of directly employed workers and a 26.7% reduction in the number of self-employed and agency workers across the industry by September, resulting in an anticipated reduction in the construction workforce of 9.9% by September. In the longer term, 43% of respondents anticipate making redundancies, with up to 20% of their workforce being affected.
The information will be used to support the implementation of the Construction Leadership Council Roadmap to Recovery, which aims to ‘restart, reset and reinvent’ the sector over the next two years. Build UK has published an executive summary of the CLC Roadmap which provides an overview of the new strategy for the sector and the key outcomes the sector is looking to achieve.
National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) has published the National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21. This new short-term pipeline details 340 contracts across more than 260 projects and programmes, with an estimated value of up to £37 billion over the next year. It details when a project or programme is expected to go out to tender, the estimated value of each contract, and the expected award date. It is also separated into work packages for larger projects where the information is available. The Government is planning to publish a full National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline later this year to provide longer term visibility.
Majority of construction sites open says Build UK
The latest Build UK Contractor survey [link to document be added] released on 8 June showed that 95% of infrastructure, construction and housing sites in England and Wales are now open. The number of projects running in London had risen to 97%. Output has also improved rising to 81%, compared to 79% at the end of May, with London output up from 77% to 81%.
The number of housing sites in England and Wales has significantly increased from 70% to 93%, with output also improved, rising from 67% to 78%. In Scotland, only 21% of projects are open and output is at 27%, however improvements are anticipated, following the Scottish Government’s decision to allow a phased return to work for the construction industry.
Scotland enters Phase 2 recovery
In Scotland, Phase 2 of the Construction Re‐Start Plan, known as the ‘soft start’ has been given the go-ahead. This stage allows a slow build‐up of the workforce on construction sites and in domestic properties where physical distancing can be maintained. The reopening of construction will be in line with the Scottish Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis. Further guidance for the Scottish construction industry on returning to work has also been published by the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum.
Mandatory face coverings on public transport
To help reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus, face coverings have been mandatory on public transport in England since Monday 15 June. Anyone using public transport who does not wear a face covering could receive a fine. The government also has published guidance for passengers travelling on public transport, Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers.
Guidance & support on Coronavirus
Insurance company AXA has released a range of guidance documents to help different sectors return to work. This includes guidance for construction sites, construction sub-contractors, builders’ merchants and manufacturers, as well as guidance on Covid-19 risk assessments and distribution and logistics, and supply chains.
WEBINARS
- LetsBuild webinar: How will the construction industry recover post COVID-19?, Tuesday 23 June, 10.00-11:30am.
- Firex International webinars: Coronavirus and the Fire Safety Sector, Niall Rowan, ASFP CEO, & Life after Grenfell, Dr Andrew Taylor, ASFP Technical Officer
- Fire Safety Event Webinar: Government proposals on construction products & the impact of Coronavirus on the construction industry – Niall Rowan, CEO, ASFP
- Fire Safety Matters Podcast – Episode 5 includes an interview with ASFP CEO Niall Rowan. The FSM Podcast is available on the Fire Safety Matters app on iTunes, Spotify or Google Play or fsmpodcast.podbean.com or the FSM YouTube channel
- BESA daily webinars
- Building webinar: COVID-19 and Continuous Improvement On-Site, on demand
- The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is running a number of webinars which can be accessed
- A webinar covering the corporate governance measures, 30 June can be viewed on demand.
- A webinar covering the insolvency measures, Tuesday 7th July
- The Construction Industry Council have collaborated with Langley Waterproofing systems to produce a guidance video on safe operation for small construction sites
INDUSTRY RESOURCES AND UPDATES
- British Safety Council
- Build UK Daily Updates
- Build UK construction survey results
- Builders Merchants Federation suppliers status
- Builders Merchants Federation merchants status
- Builders Merchants Federation/CLC Branch Operating Guidelines
- CITB COVID-19 Checklists and Guidance
- Scottish Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum Site Operating Procedures
- CLC Roadmap to Recovery
- CLC Advice on Employment Schemes
- CLC Plan to sustain the construction industry
- CLC Travel to Work letter
- CLC People Survey
- Construction Response to Covid-19 Website
- RICS/RIBA/RTPI letter
- CIC Post-Lockdown Survey
- CITB Skills Stability Plan 2020‐21.
- Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation Guidelines
- National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21.
- The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is offering a range of free resources on its Coronavirus Hub
- Make UK, the umbrella trade body representing all UK manufacturing is also providing Coronavirus advice for manufacturers.
- TUC guidance on workers’ rights
- Unite Union campaign to keep construction workers safe
- Unite Union health and safety and risk assessment advice
- FIS health and safety advice
- Open Doors accommodation website
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS
- Employers & Businesses
- Decontamination in Non-Healthcare Settings
- Public Sector Procurement in Response to COVID-19: Procurement Policy Notice
- Households on Self-Isolation
- Government England OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
- Government England Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19) – Construction and other outdoor work and social distancing from 4 July, an FAQ page and a review of one metre +.guidance
- Government England guidance for factories plants and warehouses
- Government England guidance for people using transport or working in the transport sector
- How to apply for testing
- Business and Planning Bill
- UK Government New Deal for Britain
- PHE Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID‐19) – Construction guidance
- Building Safety Programme guidance on remediation and Covid-19
- Scottish Government construction sector guidance
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis
- Scottish Government Construction Policy Note (CPN) CPN 3/2020
- Scottish Government Phase 3 of the Construction Re‐Start Plan
- Welsh Government guidance on Taking all reasonable measures to maintain physical distancing in the workplace
- The HSE has also released a number of Coronavirus updates including:
- HSE statement on maintaining its regulatory functions
- Coronavirus: A joint statement between HSE, the TUC and the CBI ;
- Social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities during the coronavirus outbreak;
- RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) reporting of COVID-19
- HSE Toolkits
PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT GUIDANCE
- CLC statement on payments and contracts
- CLC guidance on contractual best practice
- CICV Contractual and Commercial Considerations for the Return to Site
- Cabinet Office Policy Procurement Notice (PPN) 02/20
- Cabinet Office construction-specific guidance to PPN 02/20
- Cabinet Office responsible contract behaviour
- CMA guidance outlining temporary measures to relax competition between businesses
- Build UK Guidance on Contractual Issues caused by Coronavirus
GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- Consolidated financial support information
- Corona Virus Bill and Statutory Sick Pay Provision
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, step by step guide for employers, and online calculator
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant
- Bounce Back Loans
- Government Trade Credit Insurance support
- Business Support Finder
- Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill factsheets
- Scottish Government Return to Work package
- Scottish Government Support for Businesses
- Welsh Government Support for Businesses
ASFP ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES