Introduction

This short briefing has been prepared on behalf of the UK construction sector to brief companies and individuals on the ongoing repercussions of the Covid-19 crisis for our sector.

Guidance on safely maintaining work

To support businesses that remain open during this period in England, the government has published additional guidance to assist employers, businesses and their staff in staying open safely during coronavirus (COVID-19). For specific settings please refer to sector specific guidance. Guidance has been published for:

Tradespeople and working in people’s homes

Construction

Manufacturing and processing businesses

The guidance also provides advice on private car usage saying: “When using a private vehicle to make a journey that is essential, cars should only be shared by members of the same household. 

“Those who normally share a car with people who are not members of their own household for a journey that is essential, e.g. getting to work, should consider alternatives such as walking, cycling and public transport where you maintain a distance of 2 metres from others.

“If the journey is essential, such as travel to work, and there is no option but to share a car with people who are not part of the same household, journeys should be shared with the same individuals and with the minimum number of people at any one time.

“Good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) and facing away from each other may help to reduce the risk of transmission. Private vehicles that are used by people from multiple households should be cleaned regularly using gloves and standard cleaning products with particular emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces”.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

It was confirmed yesterday by HMRC that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme should come online on 20 April, with first payments made by the end of the month.

Boosting cashflow

The Construction Leadership Council has prepared a briefing note to encourage the whole industry to work together to make sure cash continues to flow to all parts of the sector. A copy of the briefing is available here.

Rules relaxation

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has published a list of rules for business that have been relaxed during the current Covid-19 crisis.

Mental health support

Industry mental health charity Mates in Mind is working in partnership with the Civil Engineering Contractors Association to deliver free mental wellbeing workshops. 

These workshops are aimed at employees; and managers (including supervisors). The live online workshops will take place on 15,16 and 21 April and will be delivered by trained mental health practitioners. Delegates will be able to see and interact with the tutor and with each other.

Mental Wellbeing Workshop for Employees (45 mins)

• Understand how the current environment impacts our mental health and wellbeing;
• Identify ways in which to spot issues in ourselves and our colleagues;
• Explore how to look out for your own wellbeing as well as our co-workers;
• Understand how to support someone in crisis and have a better understanding of relevant professional support services available to us. 

Mental Wellbeing Workshop for Managers (1hr)

• Identify the pressures facing their teams during the current climate and identify how they can affect their mental health;
• Recognise how managers can spot the signs and issues and know what to say and do;
• Identify how to help someone in crisis;
• Provide details of organisations and support services that can provide help, information and advice;
• Provide some guidance on what managers / supervisors can do to look after their own mental health.

Anticipating level of interest, places are initially limited to 2 delegates per organisation. We have confirmed that furloughed employees are allowed to take part in this training without affecting their furloughed status. Book your place here.

The Briefing has been prepared in collaboration between the industry’s leading trade and representative bodies: Association for Consultancy & Engineering, Builders Merchant Federation, Build UK, Chartered Institute of Building, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Construction Industry Council, Construction Plant-hire Association, Construction Products Association, Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), Federation of Master Builders, National Federation of Builders, and Institution of Civil Engineers. 

We are grateful to Building, Construction Enquirer, Construction Manager, Construction News, Highways, Infrastructure Intelligence, and New Civil Engineer for support in distribution to the wider industry.