Covid-19 Update: 17 April 2020

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 crisis for our sector.

Removal of unsafe cladding

Essential safety work to replace unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings will continue during the Covid-19 emergency, following a commitment from local leaders to housing secretary Robert Jenrick.

The mayors of Greater Manchester, Sheffield City Region, London, Liverpool City Region and the West Midlands have pledged their commitment to ensuring vital safety work can continue, where necessary social distancing rules are being followed.

Faithful & Gould has been appointed to advise those planning and doing ACM cladding remediation work, including identifying and increasing awareness of safe practice under current Covid-19 restrictions. 

Examination of lifting equipment

The Health & Safety Executive has published guidance on the examination of lifting equipment, and their approach to enforcement on this issue, during the current crisis.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Applications for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme are due to open on Monday. In order to access the scheme you will need:

• A Government Gateway ID and password -if you don’t already have a gateway account apply online now by going to GOV.UK and searching for HMRC services: sign in or register;
• You need to be enrolled for PAYE online -if you aren’t registered yet go to GOV.UK and search PAYE Online for employers.

For every employee you will be claiming for you will need:

• Name;
• NIC Number;
• Claim period and claim amount;
• PAYE/ employee number (optional).

If you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff you will need to input the information directly into the system for each employee. If you have more than 100 furloughed staff you will be able to upload a file -.xis  .xisx  .csv .ods are acceptable. 

If you want an agent to act for you they need to be authorized to act for you on PAYE matters and claim using their own ID and password. You will need to tell your agent which UK bank account you want the grant paid into if you are to get the money quickly.

Navigating Covid-19

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has shared details of new episodes in its webinar series, Navigating Covid-19.

Maximising motivation while in lockdown (Wednesday 22 April, 12.00pm)

Performance psychologist Dr Andrew Dewar of WSP and Georgia Hughes of Arcadis and chair of ACE’s Emerging Professionals join us to discuss how you can make the most of your time whilst working at home. They’ll share practical tips and advice to help boost productivity which will apply to any role and at any level.

Improving cashflow through tax credits (Wednesday 6 May, 12.00pm)

Mark Smith, Innovation Incentives Partner of ACE affiliate Ayming joins us to discuss how R&D tax credits can release the hidden cash trapped in your working capital, helping your business through the weeks and months ahead.

What does recovery look like? (Tuesday 12 May, 12.00pm)

Andy Mitchell, chief executive of Tideway and chair of the Construction Leadership Council joins Hannah Vickers to discuss what a future recovery looks like for our industry, Government and society. Additional guest TBC.

Replay episodes on the emergency help, SMEs, employment schemes, procurement, HR/People issues and communications on ACE’s website now.

Industry feedback: government support

The Construction Industry Coronavirus Task Force has prepared a short survey to anonymously capture feedback on use and experiences of business trying to access support provided by HMG. Please take two minutes to fill out here.

Industry feedback: employment

As part of our work to respond to the current crisis, we are keen to understand the latest information on levels of activity and employment in the industry. To support this work, please can you take 2 minutes to fill out the following survey.

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.