Omicron variant throws up major staffing challenges for UK builders
Posted: Friday, January 14th, 2022
Appearing on the Clive Holland Show, Ian Hodgkinson warned that Omicron variant had created major staffing challenges.
No Gas Safe number – no gas appliances
Posted: Thursday, January 13th, 2022
Master plumber Jimmy Hendry is drumming up support to tighten the laws around the sale of gas appliances
Free emergency plumbing service outlines plan to go national
Posted: Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021
Bury-based plumber, who earlier this year got surprise donation from actor Hugh Grant, intends to take his free emergency plumbing service national
Nominations now open for Fix Radio’s Tradesperson of the Year 2022
Posted: Wednesday, December 8th, 2021
Fix Radio celebrates excellence in the trades with second edition of its Tradesperson of the Year event. Awards ceremony to take place at UK Construction Week in May
Fix Radio launches online petition to combat tool theft
Posted: Tuesday, December 7th, 2021
Petition on the parliament website needs 100,000 signatures in six months to spark debate in House of Commons
FMB slams growing tool theft figures as ‘unacceptable’
Posted: Monday, December 6th, 2021
Chief executive of Federation of Master Builders condemns growing tool theft epidemic and calls for greater action
Tory MP confident for breakthrough on tool theft issue
Posted: Friday, December 3rd, 2021
Tool theft issue gathering momentum in House of Commons, but still not legislation in sight, says Conservative MP
Plumber nearly loses house after tool thieves clean out van
Posted: Friday, December 3rd, 2021
Wayne Burgess, fourth generation plumber and pipe wizard has to start from scratch after his tools are stolen twice in just seven months
Reporting tool theft helps police build detailed picture of issue
Posted: Wednesday, December 1st, 2021
Although some tradespeople might see reporting tool theft to the police as futile, it is hugely important to help solve future crimes say Greater Manchester Police
Armd pledges to combat tool theft with smart alarm
Posted: Wednesday, December 1st, 2021
Technology start-up aims to get tradespeople back to work as quickly as possible by integrating insurance process into app
Federation of Master Builders backs plans for builder licenses
Posted: Saturday, November 27th, 2021
In mid-November, conservative MP Mark Garnier's bid to introduce a licensing scheme for builders fell flat. Despite the setback, Brian Berry, chief executive officer, Federation of Master Builders was encouraged by the government’s commitment to work with stakeholders and the industry to address the issue.
Comparethemarket expects 20,000 van thefts per year by 2030
Posted: Friday, November 26th, 2021
Comparethemarket has warned that van theft will double by 2030, to over 20,000 per year. Greater London is expected to remain the country’s van theft capital
Direct Line estimates £46 million tools have been nicked since April 2021
Posted: Thursday, November 25th, 2021
Tool theft accelerates after pandemic lockdown with £245,000 worth of tools taken every day across the UK
Over half of London tradespeople report tool theft in last year
Posted: Thursday, November 25th, 2021
A survey of a 1,000 Volkswagen van drivers highlights the scale of tool theft epidemic
Plumbers and heating engineers need to invest in training to stay ahead of the curve
Posted: Thursday, November 25th, 2021
With the UK’s plans for low-carbon heating systems in their earliest stages, installers need to start invest in their own future and read-up on the challenges involved with hydrogen boilers and heat pumps
Carpenter calls on tradespeople to act after van and tools stolen from driveway
Posted: Tuesday, November 16th, 2021
Marc Firkin, a carpenter with nearly 30 years’ experience, was brought to his knees when thieves took his van and tools. Now his he is calling tradespeople to sign a petition calling for tougher sentencing for offenders.
Industry expert calls for greater control over sparkie qualifications
Posted: Thursday, October 21st, 2021
The flood of short courses and competing certifications and qualifications has created a confused landscape in the electrical industry. The industry needs to take command of the situation, argued Paul Meenan on last week’s Electrical Show
CITB and CIOB join Stand Together to clamp down on modern slavery
Posted: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
Stand Together wins support from construction sector trade associations for SOS hand signal
London Councils outlines ambitious £98 billion plan to retrofit London homes
Posted: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
London boroughs ask government to release £30 million of investment ahead of November spending review to kickstart citywide retrofitting scheme
Construction journalist claims trades need more government support
Posted: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
Construction sector journalist, Tim Clark argues more needs to be done by the government to support the construction sector as they face rising material prices and labour shortages
Diamondback’s Connor Crook outlines plans for product expansion in Carpentry Show interview
Posted: Wednesday, October 13th, 2021
Since taking over cult tool belt manufacturer Diamondback in 2016, Connor Crook has taken the brand to new heights. In five years, he has grown the product range, expanded production capacity and crafted an aspirational brand that has customers crying out for more.
Women Installers Together makes cheerful return at Installer Show
Posted: Friday, September 24th, 2021
Female installers are coming together next week to discuss green technology, training initiatives and... well being women in the trade.
Drug and alcohol abuse is still rife in the industry
Posted: Tuesday, September 21st, 2021
In a pre-pandemic survey, 35% of construction workers said they had seen colleagues working under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. Nearly two years later, there are no signs that the sector has cleaned up its act.
Heating engineers must embrace new skills warns expert
Posted: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021
The environmental crisis means that the UK’s 130,000 Gas Safe Registered engineers must move away from gas boilers and embrace emerging skills and technologies
Start-up businesses join Clive Holland Show
Posted: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021
Ray Taylor, Ross Dickinson and Steve Roberts all appeared on the Clive Holland Show to talk about their entrepreneurial journey
DIY SOS puts shout out for joiners and plumbers for Hull project
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2021
DIY SOS is looking for joiners and plumbers to create an adventure campsite for St Michael's Youth Project just outside Hull. The project will feature as a special Children in Need episode of the popular programme.
Are you tired but wired? You need to talk to somebody
Posted: Friday, September 10th, 2021
The scale and depth of the mental health crisis in the construction industry is scary, and it is getting bigger. It is estimated that two people in the sector commit suicide every working day in the UK and Ireland. It is way past time we all start to work on a solution
One in four gas appliances are unsafe warns Gas Safe Register
Posted: Friday, September 10th, 2021
With Gas Safety Week kicking off in September, there is still work to be done to raise awareness about safety issues.
Mates In Mind Launch Survey For Mental Health in Construction
Posted: Friday, September 10th, 2021
With mental health being such a huge issue across the country but specifically in construction, mental health charity Mates In Mind have launched a survey to find out some more information…
Man Paralysed from Waist Down Explains Incredible Trade Journey
Posted: Thursday, September 9th, 2021
John Poulter was training for Britain’s strongest man when he was badly injured by a forklift driver – but fails to accept defeat and is now a widely respected tradesman, despite his injuries.
