Funding for Employing Young People
As part of its commitment to ensuring that every young person has access to further education, training or a job, the Government has launched the ‘Youth Guarantee’ with the aim of supporting almost one million young people. The nationwide scheme offers the following funding to employers to help them provide opportunities to young people:
- Apprenticeship Hiring Payment – £2,000 is available to employers in England who do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy for every new apprentice they take on aged between 16 and 24. The funding will be paid automatically by the training provider in two equal instalments (at 90 days and one year after the apprenticeship started).
- Youth Jobs Grant – £3,000 for employers in Great Britain taking on a young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for over six months. Eligible employers can submit vacancies, which must be for a minimum of 25 hours per week for 16 weeks, and the grant will be paid in two stages (£1,800 after six weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks).
- Jobs Guarantee – Funding to provide a six‐month paid job for a young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit for 18 months or more, which is due to be rolled out across Great Britain from this month.
For employers in England, the Government pays 100% of apprenticeship training and assessment costs for apprentices aged 16 to 24, and there are also financial incentivesavailable of £1,000 for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and £2,000 for foundation apprentices aged 16 to 21, in addition to the funding available through the Youth Guarantee. For more skills and training news, please see our latest Recruit, Train and Retain update.
Payments Bill
The Commercial Payments Bill, which contains new measures to tackle late payments including a ban on the use of retentions, is now on its second reading in the House of Commons and on track to receive Royal Assent in early 2027. Build UK’s summary of the Bill, produced in collaboration with Pinsent Masons LLP, sets out how the measures will be implemented in construction.
Is FenceX 2027 Part of Your Business Plans?
As we head towards the end of 2026, many businesses will already be looking ahead and planning their marketing activities, product launches and events for next year.
If FenceX 2027 isn’t on your calendar yet, perhaps it should be!
Taking place at NAEC Stoneleigh on Thursday 23 September 2027, FenceX offers businesses across the fencing and perimeter security sector a fantastic opportunity to showcase products, strengthen customer relationships and make valuable new connections.
And with preparations gathering pace, now is an ideal time to secure your place.
FenceX 2027 – Early Bird Booking Ends 31 December
Our Early Bird Booking Scheme allows exhibitors to reserve an indoor stand with just a 10% deposit, making it easier to secure a location now and plan ahead for 2027.
But the offer won’t be around indefinitely – the 10% deposit scheme ends on 31 December 2026.
Whether you’re a returning exhibitor or considering FenceX for the first time, we’d be delighted to help you explore the options available.
Ready to see where your business could be?
Simply email fencex@theafi.co.uk to request the latest floorplan, pricing and stand availability.
Get your stand sorted before the end of the year – and make FenceX part of your 2027 plans!
Common Assessment Standard Updated
Build UK has published an updated version of the Common Assessment Standard which aligns with the latest legislation, guidance and client requirements. Version 6 incorporates significant changes to the Building Safety section to reflect that scaffolding and temporary works are not in scope of the Building Regulations which regulate ‘building work’, unless they form part of the structure once complete. Specific updates to the question set include:
- Completion of the Building Safety section is now ‘opt out’ rather than ‘opt in’. Suppliers wishing to opt out of completing this section must provide a statement confirming that they do not carry out building work regulated by the Building Regulations.
- The competence-related questions, which were in the Building Safety section, have been moved to the Quality section and must now be completed by all suppliers.
- The exemption in the Information Security section previously granted by holding Cyber Essentials Plus has been removed, and suppliers will now be exempt from completing this section only if they hold ISO 27001 – Information Security Management Systems.
- Key questions, including fraud prevention, a dedicated person responsible for quality, and a Drugs and Alcohol Policy, are now mandatory for all suppliers.
- The guidance to the question set has been enhanced to provide more support to suppliers when preparing for an audit.
Suppliers will be required to complete the updated question set when they next go through the certification process with one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. Once certified to the Common Assessment Standard, a supplier can share its data at no cost with the other Recognised Assessment Bodies, so it is visible to more contractors and clients without the need for multiple certifications.
The Stage Is Set – It’s Awards Week!
The wait is almost over!
After months of planning, preparations, entries, judging and finalist announcements, the 2026 UK Fencing Industry Awards are finally upon us!
This Thursday, the UK fencing industry will come together at the iconic Old Trafford for a day dedicated to celebrating the businesses, projects and people who continue to raise standards across our sector.
With an exclusive behind-the-scenes stadium tour, champagne reception, three-course lunch and our very special guest, Sir Geoff Hurst, there’s plenty to look forward to.
But, of course, the biggest question remains…
Who will be taking home a 2026 UK Fencing Industry Award?
Our finalists have already achieved something remarkable by reaching the final three, and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements and reveal this year’s winners.
A huge thank you to everyone who has entered, nominated, judged, sponsored or supported the Awards this year. Your involvement helps make this celebration of our industry possible.
Good luck to all our finalists – we’ll see you at Old Trafford!
Thursday 12 November 2026
Old Trafford, Manchester
Keep an eye on our social media channels as we share highlights and announce the 2026 winners!
Your Work Speaks for Itself. Your Credentials Back It Up.
TWO SCHEMES. ONE MEMBERSHIP.
You know the quality of your workmanship, but how do you demonstrate that professionalism to potential customers?
Through AFI membership, eligible contractors can access two valuable schemes designed to recognise competence, promote high standards and build customer confidence.
AFI Certified Contractor Scheme (CCS)
The Certified Contractor Scheme recognises contractors who can demonstrate the skills, experience and professional standards appropriate to the work they undertake.
With certification levels reflecting different types and complexities of fencing projects, CCS provides a recognised way to demonstrate your credentials to customers, specifiers and procurement teams in a B2B environment.
And importantly, there’s no additional charge for AFI members who meet the scheme requirements.
TrustMark Registration
As an approved TrustMark Scheme Provider, the AFI can also help eligible members achieve registration with the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for B2C projects.
TrustMark registration provides additional reassurance to customers, demonstrates a commitment to quality and good trading practices, and gives registered businesses a presence on the TrustMark ‘Find a Trader’ directory.
Another valuable benefit, available to eligible AFI members at no additional registration cost.
We’ve seen record numbers of registrations across both schemes in 2026, reflecting the growing number of contractors choosing to demonstrate their commitment to quality and professionalism.
If you’re not yet taking advantage of these opportunities, why not find out what’s involved?
Build trust. Demonstrate competence. Stand out for the right reasons.
Visit afiorg.uk or contact info@theafi.co.uk to find out how to get started.
Gates, Gaps & Stiles – Are You Familiar with BS 5709:2018?
Whether you’re installing a pedestrian gate, bridle gate, kissing gate or stile on a public right of way, understanding the relevant standards is an important part of getting the job right.
BS 5709:2018 covers gaps, gates and stiles, setting out requirements intended to balance the needs of landowners with safe, accessible passage for legitimate path users.
To help contractors understand the standard, The Pittecroft Trust and Tom Bindoff have produced a useful illustrated guide, Understanding the British Standard for Gaps, Gates and Stiles.
The eight-page document explains ten key principles, including:
- Choosing the least restrictive option – balancing access requirements with land management needs.
- Gate widths and manoeuvring space – ensuring structures are suitable for their intended users.
- Latches and handles – including visibility and accessibility requirements.
- Installation considerations – ground conditions, positioning and nearby hazards.
- Ongoing compliance – the importance of checks and maintenance after installation.
The guide also includes practical illustrations and examples of different gate and stile arrangements, making it a useful reference for contractors, manufacturers and anyone involved in installing structures on public paths.
It’s worth a read if your work involves countryside access, agricultural fencing or public rights of way.
READ THE BS 5709:2018 EXPLANATORY GUIDE
Please note: This is an explanatory guide, not the British Standard itself. For full technical requirements, refer to the official BS 5709:2018 document.