The Government has confirmed that it remains committed to building 40 new hospitals by 2030 and will invest over £20 billion into the New Hospital Programme (NHP). The list now includes five existing hospitals that will be rebuilt as they contain a significant amount of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) which has a limited lifespan and is at risk of failure, plus three new mental health facilities that are not part of the NHP. As a result, eight projects that were included in the original list of 40 have been pushed back until after 2030.

Build UK recently facilitated the first collaborative roundtable with the NHP, one of our Client members, which brought together Contractor members to look at how the industry could work with the NHP to deliver one of the largest programmes in the UK.

Lee Rowley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, has been appointed to succeed Anne-Marie Trevelyan as construction minister. Rowley is expected to work with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and join the regular industry calls.

First elected to office in June 2017, Rowley has been confirmed as the next MP to take the construction brief in the department for business, energy, and industrial strategy (BEIS). 

Greg Hands, Trevelyan’s successor as minister of state at BEIS, was initially expected to take over the construction brief but it has gone to Rowley who holds a more junior position. Rowley’s role withing BEIS is unpaid and he is also one of six Junior Lords of the Treasury.

Since 2001, there have been 20 MPs as the role of construction minister. Steve Bratt, Electrical Contractors’ Association chief executive, welcomed the appointment, but said “As we look to build back safer, greener, and better, we hope these continual changes don’t undermine the government’s understanding of our industry, and what we have to offer.

“The country has been relying on construction to lead post-pandemic economic recovery and, going forward, we need informed dialogue and reliable, sustainable policies.

Find an apprenticeship is the official Government website for apprenticeship opportunities in England and is used by thousands of registered candidates, including those that have been affected by redundancy.

Gov UK are continually making improvements to the Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices.

From 21 June 2021, all opportunities will be advertised on Find an apprenticeship.

The change will help increase interest in employers' opportunities by making it easier for apprentices to search and apply. In addition, received applications are easy to manage and in one place, with the ability to direct candidates to recruitment sites if needed.

Recruiting apprentices who have been made redundant

To advertise an opportunity, employers need to create an apprenticeship service account, or sign in if they already have one, and select ‘Your apprenticeship adverts’ under the ‘Apprenticeships’ section. Gov UK's support video guides employers through the recruitment process step-by-step.

Additional support for apprentices

If you know of any apprentices affected by redundancy please direct them to Gov UK's dedicated helpline, 0800 015 0400 (freephone), available 8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week, or visit Gov UK's online support pages.

Workers from the EU or EEA who wish to continue living and working in the UK after 30 June 2021 need to apply for settled or pre‐settled status as a matter of urgency. Whilst it is the responsibility of the individual to make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme, you may wish to support your employees, and there is a range of information provided by the Government, including an employer toolkit with supporting documents and guidance for individuals on applying.

Business travel and mutual recognition of qualifications are both topics explained in the UK Government's new on demand videos which focus on priority topics for businesses.

You can also download a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the new rules on business travel to the EU.

You can also use the Brexit Checker tool on gov.uk/transition, which will provide you with a personalised list of the most up to date actions that your business needs to take.

A new summary of actions SMEs may need to take to trade with the EU is now available.  

The document provides an overview of actions to take, outlines support, helplines and resources that may be useful for SMEs, and signposts more detailed guidance on Government websites. 

To view the toolkit, click here 

The National Living Wage will increase by 2.2% from £8.72 to £8.91, and will be extended to 23 and 24 year olds for the first time. For workers aged under 23, Commissioners recommended smaller increases in recognition of the risks to youth employment which the current economic situation poses.

New Information on the Spring Budget and particularly tailored information for the construction industry is now in our Members Area. 

Go to Members Area login to view. 

The Government has extended the incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice until 30 April 2021. Employers taking on new apprentices between 1 August 2020 and 31 March 2021 are eligible to receive a grant of £2,000 per apprentice aged 16 ‐ 25 and £1,500 for those 25 and over.

The Prime Minister has confirmed the Government’s four‐step plan for a ‘cautious’ route out of lockdown in England. The current restrictions will be gradually relaxed, beginning with schools and colleges reopening from 8 March, and four specific tests will need to be met at each stage before further restrictions are lifted. The comprehensive roadmap confirms that individuals should continue to work from home where they can until at least 21 June, which is the fourth step and when social distancing measures will be reviewed.

The Scottish Government is expected to set out its plans for easing restrictions this week, with the Welsh Government due to review its current measures on 12 March and the Government of Northern Ireland on 18 March.