Managing Price Inflation & Legal Advice on Contract Management
With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East causing disruption across supply chains and creating further inflationary pressures, Build UK has updated its guidance on Managing Price Inflation, produced with Wedlake Bell LLP, which sets out practical ways to manage the risks of cost escalation over the life of a project, including the use of fluctuations provisions.
3 Weeks to Go: Book Your Place at the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day
With just three weeks to go, now is the time to secure your place at the upcoming AFI & AFA Best Practice Day at Cannington College, Bridgwater.
Running from 9.00am to 3.00pm, this hands-on event is designed to give fencing contractors practical skills, new techniques and valuable industry insight — all for just £15.
What to expect:
- Live demonstrations of stock, horse and deer fencing
- Hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions
- Trade stands from Tornado Wire, Scanpole, StowAg, LineWatch, Gripple & FaCT
- Opportunities to network with fellow fencing professionals
With bacon rolls and hot drinks on arrival, plus lunch included, it’s a full day out of the yard that delivers real value for your business.
Events like this don’t come around often in the South West — making it a great opportunity to get involved locally, learn something new and connect with others in the trade.
UK Steel Strategy
The Government has announced a new Steel Strategy, which includes a target for UK steel to meet 50% of domestic demand. From 1 July 2026, steel import quotas will be reduced by 60%, with a 50% tariff on products above these limits. Whilst the strategy has been welcomed by UK Steel, details are still to be finalised and Build UK member BCSA has warned of higher costs across construction.
AFI Welcomes Charlotte Peterson to the Board
The Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlotte Peterson of Siddal & Hilton to its Board of Directors.
Charlotte’s appointment reflects the continued growth and strengthening of the AFI, bringing further valuable representation from the manufacturing sector at a time when collaboration across the supply chain is more important than ever.
Siddal & Hilton is a well-respected name within the industry, and Charlotte’s experience and insight will support the AFI’s ongoing mission to promote high standards, quality, and best practice across the UK fencing supply sector.
Commenting on the appointment, AFI CEO Pete Clark said:
“I am delighted that Charlotte has joined as it continues the growth of the AFI with further representation from the manufacturing sector, to continue the AFI’s message of promoting the high standards that we have in the UK fencing supply industry.
This further enhances the quality message that we as a sector are representing for the complete build environment, enhancing all perimeter protection and delivery. It also forms part of the growing community that the AFI is delivering of suppliers and contractors within fencing, forming the complete supply chain family.”
Charlotte’s addition to the Board reinforces the AFI’s commitment to representing the full breadth of the fencing industry—from manufacturers through to contractors—ensuring a unified voice that supports quality, innovation, and professionalism across the sector.
‘New Deal’ for Young People
With apprenticeship starts amongst young people down 40% in the last decade and nearly one million not in employment, education or training (NEET), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a £1 billion employment drive, as part of the Government’s ‘Youth Guarantee’, designed to help create 200,000 jobs for young people.
- New Youth Jobs Grant – From June 2026, all businesses will receive £3,000 for each young person that they hire aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for at least six months.
- New Apprenticeship Incentive – From October 2026, SMEs will receive £2,000 for each new apprentice aged 16 to 24 that they take on, and this incentive will be able to be combined with the Youth Jobs Grant.
- Expansion of the Jobs Guarantee – The existing Jobs Guarantee scheme, offering a fully subsidised six‐month paid job, will now be available to all 18 to 24 year olds who are on Universal Credit and have been looking for work for at least 18 months.
The DWP has also confirmed that the Growth and Skills Levy will be amended to prioritise the country’s skills needs and young apprentices. Seven new apprenticeship units will be made available to employed learners aged 19 and over whose employer has identified a need to upskill them to meet business needs; however, funding for 16 apprenticeship standards, including facilities management supervisor and operations manager, will be withdrawn.
2026 UK Fencing Awards – Entries Now Open
Entries are now open for the 2026 UK Fencing Awards, run by the Association of Fencing Industries (AFI), which will be held on 12th November 2026.
The Awards celebrate excellence across the fencing sector and recognise the contractors, suppliers and individuals who are driving standards forward across the UK.
Award categories include:
- Agricultural & Equine Fencing
- Domestic Fencing
- Gates & Barriers
- Industrial
- Sports & Education
- Security
- Temporary Fencing & Hoarding
- Highways & Railways
- Supplier of the Year
- Project of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- NEW: Women in Fencing
👉 Enter now via: www.afiorg.uk
We are also inviting nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
📩 Submit nominations to: info@theafi.co.uk
Whether you’re showcasing a standout project, recognising your team, or highlighting an individual’s contribution, the awards are your opportunity to be recognised at an industry level.
With thanks to our sponsors:
Our 2026 awards are proudly supported by leading organisations across the industry, sponsoring both categories and the event itself.
A very limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain —please contact us to find out more.
Have your say on Publicly Available Specification (PAS) by BSi
With the continued drive to increase safety & standards of competence for the whole built environment in line with the Building Safety Act 2022 the following documents are up for review.
A PAS review helps determine whether a document remains accurate, relevant, and fit for purpose. Your feedback will help shape whether these PAS documents are maintained, updated, withdrawn, or developed further – supporting competence across the built environment.
The review covers:
- PAS 8671 – Framework for competence of individual principal designers
- PAS 8672 – Framework for competence of individual principal contractors
- PAS 8673 – Competence requirements for safety in residential buildings
The review is open until 31 March 2026. You can submit your feedback here.
We’d really value your input. If you have any questions or comments, do feel free to share them as a reply to this insight.
If you would like PDF’s of the documents email info@theafi.co.uk with which of the above you require.
AFI Update on Creosote Extension and use in UK fencing.
Government 1 April 2026 – Creosote PT8 renewal decision
CAS number: 8001-58-9
EC number: 232-287-5
Summary: GB active substance renewal decision for creosote
Supporting information: The approval of creosote is renewed for the treatment of wood for the following uses:
- railway sleepers
- transmission poles
- fencing (safety critical uses, namely those requiring compliance with BS8417 service factor D)
- surface treatment of wood for the above uses when modified at the point of installation
The new expiry date is set at 31 March 2033.
Full details are available in the accompanying decision document (HSE 2026-002)