Ucatt Appoint Rob Morris as Regional Secretary for Yorkshire

May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment


Construction union Ucatt have appointed Rob Morris as regional secretary for Yorkshire.

Mr Morris who formally takes over this month having been acting regional secretary since January 2012 and has also been a regional organiser in Yorkshire since 2001. Prior to working for Ucatt, he started in the construction industry as  a bricklayer working for number of differenct companies throughout the region.

Mr Morris said: “I am delighted to be the new Regional Secretary for Yorkshire. For too long construction employers have believed they can ride roughshod over basic employment practices. This must change construction workers must be treated with the decency they deserve.”

Mr Morris added: “It is vital that construction workers join UCATT. It is only by being a member of a trade union that we can ensure that they are not exploited or ripped off.”

Recipro reported recently about Andrew Fishers appointment as Ucatt Regional Secretary for North West.

Recipro sourced this article from Construction Line & Ucatt.org

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More than 50,000 Jobs lost in Scottish Construction since 2008

May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

According to recently released data, since 2008 the number of people working within the Scottish construction industry has decreased by 27%.

The data came from the updated labour market figures from Scotland’s Annual Population Survey; it shows the construction industry has lost 62,500 jobs since 2008, including the loss of 14,500 jobs during 2012, which represents an 8% fall in Scottish construction jobs last year alone.

In 2008 there were 235,234 people employed in the Scottish construction industry that has dropped to 172,700 in 2012.

Scottish Building Federation Executive Director Michael Levack said: “We already know about the tough times building firms are currently experiencing but these figures lay bare the huge extent of the damage done to the construction industry by the economic downturn. Over the past five years, more jobs have been lost from the building sector than from the Scottish economy as a whole. Since 2008, we’ve lost more than a quarter of our workforce, which is nothing short of staggering.”

He added: “Job losses of this scale require the Scottish and UK governments to adopt a targeted strategy to rebuild capacity. That must include tax measures such as cutting VAT on building repairs and maintenance to stimulate industry activity. There must be more focused support to help building companies recruit and retain apprentices. We also need to see a sustained effort to prioritise public investment in construction activity and further measures to streamline planning and procurement to get projects off the ground more quickly.”

Recipro sourced this article from Construction Index.

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Are you Compliant with the Building Regulations Part L?

May 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The construction industry training board (CITB) is urging SME contractors to ensure they are up to date regarding changes to Building Regulations Part L requirements.

Since the 6 April the 2013 revision to part L has been in operation, with more emphasis being put on whole life costing, air tightness and thermal bridging. The government’s response later this month is expected to lead to further tweaks to the regulations.

The Business Development Manager for CITB, Tony Howard said: “The changes to Building Regulations Part L are an important development for construction SMEs. They need to understand what is required to meet the new regulations for air tightness, new insulation materials and changing technologies, and have the skills to deliver to required standards. Those who are not fully aware of the changes risk non-compliance.”

There are set to be further consultations on Part L in October as well as the Government’s May response, with more changes anticipated. All of these changes are thought to show the increasing importance being put on energy efficiency and low carbon construction techniques.

Recipro sourced this article from Construction Line, for more information on the legislative changes visit – www.cutcarbon.info

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10% Rise in Self Employed Workers

February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The UK recession has seen a rise of 10% in the number of self employed workers across all industries, with self employment now accounting for 14% of the 29.4 million people in employment in the UK.

Since 2008 more than 367,000 people moved into self employment across all industries with construction amongst the 4 most common trades for self employed workers according to the stats.

The figures came as a new report highlighted the vital role of self-employed workers in the UK construction industry.

The study by Cranfield University Professor Andrew Burke warned “Without genuine freelancers, the construction industry would be smaller in size and hire fewer workers.”

The research involved analysis of 40 main and trade contractors including Kier and Taylor Wimpey.

It concluded: “The absence of a legitimate freelance sector of the workforce would have highly negative economic consequences; causing economic contraction, higher costs, and reduced employment as well as more highly concentrated and less competitive markets.”

Recipro sourced this article from BBC and Construction Enquirer.

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Construction Industry Output Increase

January 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The UK construction industry has seen a very modest increase in output of 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012. This is a huge positive especially after the third quarter of 2012 saw a decrease of 2.5%.

The construction industry may have shown some signs of improvement but the same can’t be said about the UK as a whole, the UK economy contracted 0.3% in the last quarter of 2012 after a 0.9% growth the quarter before. (Provisional figures – possible amendments to follow)

Civil Engineering Contractors Association Director of External Affairs Alasdair Reisner said: “Today’s figures show that while there has been a modicum of growth in the construction sector, the overall drop in GDP places the British economy on a knife-edge.”

“Historically, negative growth in the economy dents investor confidence. Yet there are some investors that we will need to attract if we are to maintain and upgrade our national infrastructure.”

“It is vitally important that the government continues efforts to free up investment in Britain’s infrastructure sector. A failure to do so will put our sector at risk of further declines, with a corresponding negative effect on the wider economy.”

Recipro sourced this article from Construction Enquirer.

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Construction Professionals & Ministers Discuss Plans to Boost UK Construction Industry

January 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The Government’s Chief Construction adviser and twenty construction industry professionals met last week to discuss ways to boost the UK’s faltering construction sector.

The group included representatives from the UK Contractors Group, the Federation of Master Builders, the National Federation of Builders, CITB-ConstructionSkills, the CBI, the National Specialist Contractors Council, the Home Builders Federation and the Institution of Civil Engineers.  Simon Carr, Henry Boot Construction Managing Director, Steve Fox, Bam Nuttal chief executive, and Andrew Wyllie Costain chief executive, also attended.

The delegation met with Skills Minister Mathew Hancock and Chief Construction adviser Peter Hansford at 11 Downing Street to discuss a 10-point plan to boost the industry.

Construction4Growth calls for greater investment in construction to drive growth and create jobs, and calls for government to:

  • Quickly invest in shovel-ready projects such as the repair and maintenance of roads, housing, schools and hospitals.
  • Empower local authorities to drive growth through construction by lifting borrowing caps on their housing revenue accounts.
  • Help to unlock future construction talent by requiring teacher- training courses to include an awareness raising programme for teachers on vocational careers and training opportunities for young people. Maintain construction apprenticeships as the ‘Gold Standard’ by introducing flexible apprenticeship contracts that allow those aged 19 or over to progress to higher qualification levels without losing funding.

James Wates said: “The plan that the construction industry has developed and discussed with Government this morning builds on existing commitments and puts forward new, realistic ideas that we believe will have a significant impact on the economy. The Construction Skills Network figures published yesterday (17/01/2013) show that, in partnership with government, we need to grasp the moment and make a concerted and co-ordinated effort to ensure that the industry is in a position to help itself to help the UK economy.”

Recipro sourced this article from Builders Merchant news.

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Construction Industry Legislation Update from RSK

January 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

RSK provide Recipro and our users with up to date policy and legal changes regarding eco building, the environment, construction waste, health and safety and the UK construction industry as a whole – check out our previous RSK updates for more information.

The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 

Taking effect on 9 January 2013 and the EPC regulations revoke The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 and all the many amending regulations from 2007 to 2012.

Previously only buildings occupied by a public authority and over a certain size were required to display an EPC within the building. The definition of a public building will change from 9th January 2013 to mean a “building which is frequently visited by the public” and with a floor area greater than 500m2.  This means that any building frequently visited by the public will be required to display an EPC, not just those occupied by public authorities owners. When offering a property for sale or to let an EPC must be included in information in any advert for selling or letting the property.

EPC’s are required as a matter of course for buildings occupied by public authorities, depending on the floor area of the building.  Previously buildings with a floor area over 1,000 m2 required an EPC.  From 1 October 2012 buildings over 500 m2 required an EPC and from 9 July 2015 the limit will be 250 m2.

Exemptions from having to make available an EPC have been introduced for details see http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3118/regulation/5/made

 

SEPA consultation on landfill tax

This consultation seeks views on a proposed landfill tax for Scotland, so as to replace the existing landfill tax applicable to the entire UK when new devolved taxation powers (introduced under the Scotland Act 2012) enter into force from April 2015; responses are to be submitted via the Respondent Information Form by 15 January 2013. It is intended that the Scottish Government will introduce a Bill in spring 2013.

 

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Construction Industry Legislation Update from RSK

January 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

RSK provide Recipro and our users with up to date policy and legal changes regarding eco building, the environment, construction waste, health and safety and the UK construction industry as a whole.

The RSK Group is well positioned for this as they are one of Europe’s fastest growing environmental and health and safety consultancies, with strategic locations in the UK, Europe and the Gulf and Caspian regions. The company offers clients a one-stop shop of over 200 services, and maintains a peerless dedication to best practice through its certification to the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 standards for quality, environmental, and health and safety management.

RSK will continue to help keep Recipro and our users up to date regarding policy changes in 2013, make sure you keep checking recipro for any new updates.

Welsh government Consultation (WG-17030): A Sustainable Wales- Better choices for a better future (Consultation on proposals for a Sustainable Development Bill)

 This White Paper consultation seeks views on proposals for a Sustainable Development Bill; responses should be submitted by 4 March 2013. An initial consultation was published in May 2012.

In particular, the Sustainable Development Bill will:

  • Make sustainable development the central organising principle of the Welsh Government and Welsh public service organisations; and
  • Create an independent sustainable development body for Wales.

Respondents are encouraged to comment on:

  • The proposals for a new duty to embed sustainable development as the central organising principle of selected organisations in Wales;
  • The proposals for an independent sustainable development body;
  • The proposed phasing and implementation of the duty, including the timing for the creation of the independent sustainable development body;
  • The proposed phasing and implementation of the duty, including the timing for the creation of the independent sustainable development body; and
  • The proposals to improve the accountability framework for sustainable development in Wales.

 

The Building Regulations &c. (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/3119)

The legislation amends the Building Regulations 2010.  Changes include the removal of automatic notification of the local authority at various stages of building work to be replaced with local authority giving the builder notice of when it requires notification.  Changes have been made as to when completion certificates are awarded by the local authority.

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500,000 Construction Workers due Pay Increase

January 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Construction union Ucatt has implored workers to check they have received their legally entitled pay rise which came into effect this week (Monday 7 January).

Workers whom are covered by the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) will see an increase of 2%. Under the agreement minimum pay rate is £8.03 for a general operative and £10.67 for a craft worker.

The CIJC is the largest industrial agreement in the construction industry with about 500,000 workers covered by the agreement.

Ucatt General Secretary Steve Murphy said: “Construction workers undertake physical demanding highly skilled jobs, it is essential that all companies covered by the CIJC pay the agreed increase.”

Mr. Murphy went on to say: “Ucatt will pursue any company that denies our members a pay increase that they are legally entitled to. If a company tries to avoid paying the correct rate, then they will be named and shamed. Employers must realise that they can’t grow rich by denying workers fair pay.”

Travel and subsistence allowances for construction workers covered by the CIJC increased from Monday 2 July 2012.

Recipro sourced this article from Construction News.

 

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Wales takes steps to Eliminate Construction Waste

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Under a new strategy which has been published by the Welsh Government,construction workers within Wales will be required to take more steps towards eliminating construction waste.

The new strategy, which was produced with the help of Constructing Excellence in Wales, shows how the Government intends to work with the construction sector to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of construction materials sent to landfill.

The target is to be as close to zero waste to landfill as possible by 2025, by maximising recycling and minimising the amount of residual waste produced and reach zero residual waste by 2050, with all construction and demolition waste being recycled. The construction industry currently accounts for 14% of Wales’s ecological footprint for waste.

Wales’s Environment Minister John Griffiths opening ReciproCity Cardiff earlier this year

Wales’s Environment Minister John Griffiths said: “As well as being an integral contributor to the Welsh economy, the construction industry is a large consumer of natural resources, producing 12.2 million tonnes of waste each year in the Wales alone.”

“Taking action to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector is critical as our current level of waste is totally unsustainable. We have an obligation to ensure that we use our resources wisely. The ultimate aim is to turn high quality recycled waste into a valuable resource that does not cause environmental harm, rather than it ending up in landfill.”

The full strategy document can be seen on the Welsh government’s website.

Recipro supports any initiative that aims to lower the amount of waste sent to landfill. We believe that the reuse of materials can play a huge part in lowering the waste sent to landfill. If you’re working in Wales you can use the Recipro Wales website to sell or source cheap surplus building materials – http://wales.recipro-uk.com. Recipro Wales is a joint initiative with Constructing Excellence in Wales which has also seen us start up a ReciproCity Cardiff this year which was opened by Wales’s Environment Minister John Griffiths.

 

 

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