In Covid update

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.

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