Construction Products Association (CPA) weekly notes

Source – CPA

The CPA has set up a dedicated Coronavirus page on our website, including information, resources and advice relevant to our members. Key developments this week, include:

• The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has written to the Prime Minister on the industry’s collective plan to sustain the industry and accelerate recovery of the economy. The CPA was a signatory of this letter.
• The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma MP, has written to the construction sector thanking the industry for its work and referencing the Site Operating Procedures published by the CLC.
• Version 1 of the CLC’s Site Operating Procedures continue to remain in place. A second version, being developed in line with the latest guidance from Public Health England, will be published shortly and will be made immediately available on the CPA website.

• CLC, supported by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), has produced (1 Apr 20) a guidance note on Coronavirus Employment Schemes – including a suggested process for managing furlough in relation to the other guidance such as SOP or critical works list. This includes a comprehensive FAQs list on construction specific queries.
• CLC has published Advice on Temporary Suspension of Sites - this guidance will help ensure that any closures can be achieved as safely as possible, avoiding potential issues while the site is not active.
• The European construction sector calls for urgent measures to protect workers’ health, support economic activity and accelerate the recover. Read the full declaration.
• The CPA’s economics team’s COVID-19 Market Impact Report continues to be updated regularly. If you would like to be added to a mailing list to receive it directly each time it is updated, then please contact Noble Francis.
• The daily COVID-19 Construction Industry Briefings produced in collaboration between the CPA, the Association for Consultancy & Engineering, Build UK, Chartered Institute of Building, CITB, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Federation of Master Builders, and Institution of Civil Engineers, continues to be published daily across the main trade press.

The CPA, through the CLC, continues to push government for greater clarity on what constitutes critical work and is collating information on operations amongst its membership. We welcome member input and suggestions. We will continue to provide the latest and most pertinent updates and guidance on COVID-19 via our website and weekly notes.