It aims to support increased activity in the construction industry following the Coronavirus pandemic but estimates that recovery will be gradual, mostly taking place in 2021.
The plan encourages employers on construction projects (including public sector employers) to push forward with projects to help stimulate the construction industry. The plan includes the following recommendations:
The construction sector plays a critical role in the UK economy (the CLC estimate it accounts for 8.6% of GDP) and investment in projects such as significant new infrastructure is one approach governments can take to mitigate economic downturn. Equally though, individually construction projects involve significant risk and uncertainty meaning it is important that employers make informed and risk-balanced decisions to move their projects forward, particularly when considering the relief measures referred to.
By now, most employers will have reopened project-sites but may be under some pressure from contractors to offer them some of the relief measures set out in the various PPNs (such as making advanced payments or making “normal” payments despite service disruption). As these measures shift commercial risk onto the employer, we recommend taking a measured approach to determining whether that level of extra risk is something employers can realistically take. You can also read our more detailed briefings.
For many of our clients, the spirit behind these recommendations will be close to home with clients considering what they can do to support their communities post-lockdown. The CLC’s recommendations act as a reminder of how important apprenticeships are to both supporting local employment levels now as well as creating a sustained workforce for the future. We suspect that now more than ever, our clients will be concerned with ensuring that every contract let achieves maximum social value for pound spent.
The Construction team at Anthony Collins Solicitors has supported a number of clients through the uncertainties posed by Coronavirus and continues to be on hand to support you as the situation develops. For further information or advice, please contact Martin Brown or your usual contact within the team.
We now know what the short-term holds for public procurement at the end of the Brexit transitional period.
Daniel Brewer from Resonance talks about his journey into investing in enterprise with a social purpose, and discusses what the landscape looks like for social businesses post Covid-19.
On 1 December 2020 the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Pimlett v Curo Places Limited EWCA Civ 1621 where prior judgments in the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal were overturned.
For part 3 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews senior associate Madhur Sharma on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.
On 26 November 2020 further changes to the 'Building Regulations: Fire safety - Approved Document B' will take effect.
Last week, the NHF published its final version of its new Code of Governance and made some important changes from the previous draft that will impact on those housing associations looking to adopt it.
As the end of 2020 beckons, we take a look at what progress the Sterling market has made in its preparations for the end of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) on 31 December 2021.
Finally, there is a glimmer of hope that perhaps the Covid-19 pandemic could be reaching its end.
For part 2 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews senior associate Lisa Whitehouse on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.
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