Public Procurement Reform
Following the introduction of the Procurement Act, the Government has launched a consultation on further reforms to public procurement to support the implementation of the new National Procurement Policy Statement, designed to open up more opportunities and simplify the process for small companies bidding for public sector contracts.
The proposals include amending the Procurement Act to exclude companies from bidding on any major contracts above £5 million if they cannot demonstrate that they pay invoices within an average of 60 days. Under PPN 015, companies are already required to pay all their invoices within an average of 55 days when working for central Government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, and this will reduce to an average of 45 days from 1 October 2025. The amendment to the Act would apply to all public sector organisations including local authorities.
Build UK benchmarks the payment performance of more than 130 of the industry’s largest companies, and all our tier one Contractor members pay invoices within an average of 45 days. Our table will be updated at the end of this month when the majority of companies publish their latest reports, and for the first time it will include data on the value of invoices paid following the introduction of new reporting requirements at the start of this year.
Insight: Driver Fatigue
We know that in the great majority of cases the initial outcome of a crash is around driver behaviour – and this can be caused by tiredness and fatigue, that can result in severe injury or worse, fatality.
It’s vital that as an organisation and as a manager or owner you are confident that your drivers are educated about fatigue, and that they are well rested and alert before starting their shift.
Fatigued drivers can face charges of death by dangerous driving or death by careless driving if involved in a fatal collision, leading to a prison sentence.
Tired drivers have poor coordination, poor reaction times, poor speed and lane discipline.
You have a duty of care to make sure every driver is fit to be behind the wheel.
So how confident are you that your drivers aren’t tired, and that fatigue is not affecting their driving?
Driving professionally is a demanding job requiring skill, concentration, and constant vigilance. A crucial part of being fit to drive – and something we all need to take seriously – is to be properly rested.
We often talk about vehicle checks and driving hours, but the amount of good quality sleep that your drivers are getting is just as critical for safety. We need to talk frankly about sleep, and the common sleep problems that can affect drivers – and. most importantly, what we all need to do as professional drivers and as employers to manage the risks of fatigue.
Read this month’s insight on employer’s responsibilities around driver fatigue here.
Lawsons Announces purchase of Edgware and Romford sites
UK-based Lawsons Group has completed the purchases of two freehold sites in Edgware and Romford The sites had been previously rented from third parties.
Established in 1921, Lawsons have a rich history as a family business, expanding their footprint to support an expanded product range which has seen them become the largest independent timber, building materials and fencing merchant in London and the southeast of England.
The Lawsons Group is the largest independently owned builders’ merchant in the South East of England. It has thirty five branches trading under seven brands, over 700 staff and a dedicated steel fabrication plant.
Chris Harrison, Group Finance Director:
“Our purchases of sites in Edgware and Romford continue the long-standing commitment we have to operate with certainty and security of tenure to our business which started with the original purchase of our Whetstone branch.
We have been stewards of the community in both Edgware and Romford for over two decades and these deals provide a platform for further growth and expansion from our current 35 operating sites, 11 of which are sited inside the M25.
We have purchased these assets from our strong net cash position and although the market trading conditions of the past twelve months have proven difficult for some participants, the quality of our people and the underlying strength of our Group’s balance sheet here at Lawsons mean that we have had a financial year of revenue growth, profitability and net cash improvement.”
Employment Update
The Government has published a detailed roadmap setting out the phased approach that will be taken to implementing the various measures within the Employment Rights Bill, which fall broadly into three categories: new and updated rights and protections for workers; fair pay, terms and working conditions; and enforcement and trade unions.
Implementation will be staggered over the next two years in order to give employers time to prepare. The key timelines include after the Bill is passed this summer, April 2026, October 2026, and 2027. Build UK partner Citation has published an overview of the reforms set out in the Bill, which is being regularly updated, and members are encouraged to prepare for the changes by reviewing their current processes, with a focus on more effective recruitment and induction of employees.
The Government has also launched a review into the parental leave and pay system to make it work better for parents and employers. It includes a call for evidence which is seeking views on whether the current entitlements provide sufficient time off with adequate pay, and the deadline for responses is Tuesday 26 August.The firstchanges to the Points-Based Immigration System, set out in the Immigration White Paper, will be implemented from Tuesday 22 July. These include raising the threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level equivalent), which will remove 111 eligible occupations. However, there will be 52 occupations below RQF Level 6 on the ‘Temporary Shortage List’, which will remain eligible for a Skilled Worked Visa until the end of 2026, including bricklayers, carpenters, retrofitters, roofers, stonemasons and welders.
⏰ Don’t miss your moment!
The UK Fencing Awards celebrate the very best across our industry – and entries close 31st July!.
From domestic to security, gates to highways, apprentice to supplier – there’s a category for everyone.
This is your chance to stand out in front of the entire fencing industry.
Recognition. Respect. Reward.
You’ve done the work – now let it be seen.
Ask yourself: why not you?
🎉 Be recognised. Be proud. Be part of it.
📅 Deadline: 31 July
🏁 Enter HERE
FenceX 2025
FenceX 2025 is fast approaching – and with well over 85% of stand space now sold and visitor numbers climbing, the event on 15th October at NAEC Stoneleigh is shaping up to be the UK’s biggest fencing industry showcase yet.
Following a sell-out spring event, the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day returns outdoors, with support from Tornado Wire(lead sponsor), Scanpole, StowAg. The day will feature:
🔧 Two full fencing lines (wood & metal)
🛠️ Practical demos on strainers, turners & wire techniques in varied ground
👷♂️ Demonstrations led by some of the UK’s top fencing professionals
Inside the hall, the exhibitor line-up reads like a who’s who of the industry – with names like IAE, CLD, Barkers, Zaun, Alexandra Security, Lochrin Bain, Harper Chalice, First Fence, Henry Squire, Gatemaster, Borg Locks, Birkdale, and DHF all confirmed, alongside international brands and sector specialists – see the full list of confirmed exhibitors here
💥 Plus, enjoy the largest-ever destruction testing schedule at a UK fencing show
⚙️ Explore the Gate Automation Zone
🎤 Attend industry seminars
🥓 And claim a free bacon roll when you pre-register!
🎟️ Free visitor tickets at www.fencex.com
📧 Enquiries: fencex@theafi.co.uk
Recent Comments