Covid-19 Update: 23 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.

Reminder: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open for application. Click here to make a claim. 

To receive payment by 30 April, you will need to complete an application by the end of 22 April as it can take six working days from making an application to receive the money. 

Please keep a note or print-out of your claim reference number as you won’t receive a confirmation SMS or email. 

HMRC have produced this step by step guidance on how to make a claim. There is also a calculator to help you work out your claim.

Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

This scheme helps large businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to access loans of up to £25m. The scheme is now open for applications, click here to find out more.

Building Control during Covid-19

The UK government has published advice on Building Control issues that may arise during the current Covid-19 crisis. The guidance considers the management of Building Control for emergency temporary healthcare buildings during the crisis, and also how to operate normal Building Control activities (such as inspections) safely during this period.

Implementation of faster payment

The Construction Coronavirus Task Force is researching the effectiveness of measures to support the industry through the current crisis. 

One welcome intervention by the UK government has been the publication of Procurement Policy Note 2/20 Supplier Relief due to Covid-19, which asks all public sector clients to review their supply chain and put in place measures to support cash flow for at risk suppliers. 

This may include accelerated payment, forward ordering and payment in advance. The note also calls for any payment made to be cascaded down the supply chain.

We are keen to understand how widely these recommendations have been implemented. Please can you provide details of the public customers that you work for and whether they have put in place these measures. 

All individual responses will remain confidential, and will be used to support cross-industry work to help businesses during the current crisis. Please provide details to CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner alasdairreisner@ceca.co.uk

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.