13 minute read
Industry News
from ECN August 2022
NINE IN 10 UK TRADESPEOPLE INCREASING PRICES DUE TO RISING FUEL COSTS
VOLUNTEERS WALK ALONG HADRIAN’S WALL TO RAISE £20,000 FOR CONSTRUCTION CHARITY
A group of 13 volunteers have taken on and completed the iconic Hadrian’s Wall Walk to raise money for UK construction charity Band of Builders.
The team tackled the Hadrian’s Wall Path (an 84 mile walk) from Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast, adding on a few miles along the way to hit a total of 90 miles across four days.
The team, backed by two support drivers, walked over 20 miles a day, braving sweltering heat, downpours, blisters and injuries to raise more than £20,000 for Band of Builders, a registered charity set up to help members of the UK construction industry battling illness or injury.
The charity is about to start work on its 26th project, which takes place in Northern Ireland, and has more in the pipeline throughout 2022, plus a mental health initiative dubbed The Big Brew.
Martin O’Donnell, Fundraising Coordinator at Band of Builders, led the team on the challenge. He says: “Most people take on Hadrian’s Wall across six or seven days, so to complete it in four days was no mean feat. We had plenty of highs and lows along the way, but everyone agreed that blisters, injuries and long days are worth it to do our bit to help others when they need it. There’s still time to sponsor us as we aim to make this the biggest fundraiser from BoB to date.”
Band of Builders, bandofbuilders.org
Rising fuel costs are hitting UK tradespeople hard, and nine in 10 (90%) say they are being forced to increase their prices to keep their businesses alive.
With petrol and diesel reaching record levels and topping £2 per litre in some areas, IronmongeryDirect surveyed 500 tradespeople to reveal the impact this is having on the industry.
Almost every respondent (96%) said that their livelihood is reliant on their vehicle, and workers drive over 5,000 miles a year for jobs, on average. This annual mileage will now cost individuals almost £500 more for diesel vehicles, and over £450 for petrol users, than it did this time 12 months ago.
Almost half (47%) of tradespeople say that their profits are being affected by the fuel crisis, and a third (33%) say that their company is struggling to cope.
Understandably, many are increasing their prices to keep up. Nine in 10 (90%) tradespeople say they will up their quotes as a direct result of the fuel costs, with the average increase standing at 24%.
Some trades are increasing them more than others, and scaffolders are planning the most significant hike (39%).
The trades planning on increasing their prices the most because of rising fuel costs are: • Scaffolder 39% • Roofer 35% • Bricklayer 34% • Building surveyor 30% • Electrician 28% • Plasterer 27% • Carpenter 26% • Joiner 25% • Builder 22% • Plumber 22% • Painter decorator 16% • Landscaper 16%
Some tradespeople plan to stop driving altogether, and one in seven (14%) say that they are now using public transport to get to jobs, because they can’t afford the fuel.
IronmongeryDirect, ironmongerydirect.co.uk
ECA ASKS: WHY ARE ELECTRICITY PRICES FOUR TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GAS?
ECA has called for the next leader of the Conservative Party to transform the way energy is taxed, to make sure net zero energy sources are incentivised, and consumers’ bills are reduced.
ECA has made three immediate proposals for the next Prime Minister: • Transparency on the use of ‘green’ taxes from our fuel bills, to demonstrate fair investment in net zero infrastructure • Parity between gas and electricity taxes in fuel bills • In the longer term, moving incentives for low carbon energy into general taxation “ECA has been championing the vital role of the electrical sector in the transition to net zero for many years now,” says ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, Andrew Eldred.
“In light of the recent leadership debate, where energy bills and net zero were at the fore, we want to remind the two remaining candidates that now is the time to refresh outdated energy policies, incentivise renewable energy generation, and ultimately bring down the skyrocketing cost of energy for Britain’s homes and businesses.”
In 2021, 40% of the UK’s electricity was generated from renewable energy sources. However, fuel taxes on domestic electricity bills are 20% higher than on gas, meaning renewable energy is more heavily taxed.
Research shows that rebalancing ‘green’ taxes, called levies, on electricity and gas will help to drive down the cost of electricity and reduce customers’ bills. Eon says this policy could see £100 saved per year for up to 70% of households.
ECA, eca.co.uk
UK ELECTRICIANS REVEAL THE 10 MOST DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL MISTAKES THEY SEE IN HOMES
Electricians have revealed the 10 most dangerous mistakes that Brits make when attempting electrical DIY at home, with some possibly leading to serious injuries or worse.
Almost half (49%) of Brits have meddled with their home’s electrics, so ElectricalDirect asked hundreds of electricians to reveal the most common errors people make, and then rank them in terms of severity.
The most dangerous mistake is not protecting plastic-sheathed cable. John McCallister, electrical expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, explains why this is problematic:
“Leaving plastic-sheathed cables unprotected exposes them to snagging and cuts, which could lead to fires or lethal shocks. Running them through a conduit minimises this risk.”
People living in Northern Ireland are most guilty of making this top mistake, with 40% of electricians in the country saying they see it regularly.
The 10 most dangerous electrical mistakes Brits make at home are:
1 Leaving plastic-sheathed cable unprotected 2 Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected 3 Cutting wires too short 4 Recessing boxes behind the wall surface 5 Installing cable without a clamp 6 Connecting wires outside of electrical boxes 7 Overfilling electrical boxes 8 Reversing hot and neutral wires 9 Wiring a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) backwards 10 Installing electrical outlets close to water
ElectricalDirect, electricaldirect.co.uk
MILESTONES REACHED IN HISTON POWER PROJECT
Work is progressing rapidly in a power project designed to meet the future needs of homes and businesses across the Cambridge area.
UK Power Networks, which distributes electricity across London, the South East and East of England, has reached a set of major milestones in the £5 million upgrade.
The investment has already seen new electrical equipment installed in Histon, including a third grid transformer to help boost capacity and ensure reliable supplies in parts of Cambridge and the surrounding area.
The project, which completes next year, has also safely introduced new modern switchgear equipment to the site, which enables power cuts to be fixed remotely for customers.
Michael Falcone, Project Manager at UK Power Networks, says: “Cambridge is an ever-growing city and with the move towards more electric vehicles in the transition to net zero we recognise the need to cater for future growth by matching that expansion through investment in the network.
“The new transformer and switchgear are major new assets for the Histon site and will provide better resilience of power supplies to homes and businesses in and around Cambridge as the project moves towards completion next year.”
UK Power Networks, ukpowernetworks.co.uk
RECOLIGHT SPEARHEADS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR THE LIGHTING INDUSTRY
Recolight now brings together a comprehensive range of services, helping the lighting industry to fully embrace the circular economy.
Speaking at a key stakeholder event recently, Recolight CEO, Nigel Harvey, said, “The unprecedented heatwave we recently experienced is a salutary reminder of the need for us all to redouble our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.
“We are now doing more than ever to support a circular economy. That includes product design training workshops to help lighting producers design for circularity, and to navigate the emerging voluntary and mandatory specifications. The Circular Lighting Report news service keeps the industry abreast of the latest developments. A certification service will help manufacturers demonstrate their level of compliance with the CIBSE TM66 circular lighting standard. And vitally, the new in-person event, Circular Lighting Live, which will take place in London on 22 September, will provide a unique forum to consider forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models.”
Recolight’s core business is the operation of the lighting industry’s WEEE compliance scheme. The scheme provides waste collection and treatment services to the customers of its members, to ensure that all scheme members comply with their recycling obligations. Recolight’s waste lamp collections play a major part in helping the UK to ensure that lamp recycling levels are maximised.
Recolight, recolight.co.uk
Talented tradespeople from across the UK and Ireland can now apply for the Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2022 award, and the chance to be crowned the champion of the trade.
Now in its 13th year, the annual award celebrates experts of the trade, highlighting their professionalism, dedication, and exceptional skills.
Tradespeople can put themselves forward by filling out the online form on the Screwfix website, or customers can nominate tradespeople they think are deserving of the title.
A selection of applicants will be shortlisted in August to take part in a semi-final interview. The selected top 10 then go through to a final, hosted by a panel of industry experts, at Screwfix LIVE in Farnborough, between 23rd-25th September.
Only one tradesperson will walk away with the coveted title and a ‘trade bundle’ worth £20,000, comprising of tech, tools, and training to take their already successful career to the next level.
Dan Lloyd, the 2021 winner and currently holding the title, says: “My colleague encouraged me to apply for the award and when I entered, I hoped I had a chance at winning, but I had to pinch myself when my name was announced.
“Since winning, I have driven my business forward and the prize has meant we have been able to invest in our team and equipment without detriment to our own finances. It has been amazing.”
Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, comments: “In crowning a winner, we look for an individual who not only goes above and beyond for their customers, but also invests in the future of the trade and acts as an ambassador for the construction industry.
“We expect a raft of exceptional applications in 2022 and are really looking forward to getting a closer look at what our outstanding tradespeople have to offer, crowning one deserving winner ‘Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2022!’”
Screwfix, screwfix.com
HEATING INSTALLERS SPLIT ON WHETHER TO BEGIN FITTING HEAT PUMPS
The transition to low carbon heating is at a finely balanced tipping point, with installers split on whether they will be installing heat pumps in their customers’ homes.
That’s the main finding of a new report from heat solutions provider, Baxi, which assesses what would encourage installers to take the leap to low carbon sources of heat.
Baxi’s research with installers found that nearly a third are prepared to embrace heat pumps in the near future. By contrast, around 30% say they are extremely unlikely to install heat pumps.
The government is targeting 600,000 heat pump installations every year by 2028. That is 10 times the current market and represents a transformation from early adoption to a mass market proposition. It would require an army of low carbon heating installers to be assisting homeowners and encouraging them to make the change.
One of the main findings in the report ‘Heating Installers: Taking the Leap to a Low Carbon Future’ is that the government and the industry will need to address the important issues of training costs, ensuring there is enough demand from customers and reducing paperwork.
Baxi’s report makes a series of recommendations, which include spelling out stronger government initiatives that will drive demand for heat pumps over the coming decade; support for training costs on a first come-first served basis; and an industry-wide campaign to market the role of a low carbon heating installer to attract new entrants.
Baxi, baxi.co.uk
TOOLSTATION SUPPORTS THE TRADES WITH MENTAL HEALTH UNDER CONSTRUCTION PODCAST
Toolstation and On The Tools have joined forces for a series of podcasts created to support tradespeople’s mental health. Entitled ‘Mental Health Under Construction’, the bi-weekly six part show is hosted by mental health specialist and member of We Are Hummingbird, Ryan Ridgeway.
Ryan is joined by guests from the trades, mental health experts and celebrities including Paul Merson and former special forces soldier and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins, Ollie Ollerton, who share their own blend of insight and experiences and discuss a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, suicide and addiction.
The move comes as research commissioned by Toolstation found that 69% of those in the sector think looking after your mental health is very important and 33% say there should be more support available to them. When it comes to what can be done, 56% felt there should be more honest conversations around mental health, while 44% think there should be better access to professional help or treatment. 31% thought there should be better support at their place of work.
Greg Richardson, Head of Marketing at Toolstation, comments: “We’re excited to have worked with the team at On The Tools on this very valuable partnership, and with Ryan Ridgeway and some incredible guests who provide listeners with valuable advice and insight each week. At Toolstation, we have a long heritage of helping to equip tradespeople with the tools they need to look after their mental health, and we are glad that we can continue this work.”
ELECTRICIANS INCREASED EARNINGS DESPITE JUBILEE BANK HOLIDAYS
Self-employed electricians increased their earnings during June, despite site closures during the national Platinum Jubilee celebrations, according to the construction industry’s biggest payroll. Analysis shows average earnings of £1,085 during June, an increase of 1.3% month on month. Year on year, earnings increased by 5.1% compared to June 2021.
Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson Contract, says: “Electrical contractors managed to increase earnings in June, even though they took a couple of extra days off to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee with their friends and family. Sectors like tourism, leisure, retail and hospitality will have benefited from the bank holidays but there were hidden costs for construction, as our analysis suggests.”
Ian adds: “More generally, market conditions are levelling off. Some of the housebuilders are reporting fewer completions and will slow down their activity if they are not making the same margins. Anecdotally, smaller clients are saying residential customers are thinking again about home improvement projects because of costs. Insulation is twice the price it was a year ago. Timber prices have relented but are still at record highs. Fewer merchants are discounting because they know builders are desperate for materials.”
Hudson Contract, hudsoncontract.co.uk
MOVERS & SHAKERS…
Electrical Safety First has announced the appointment of Sarah Frost, as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Sarah has extensive experience of transformational ICT and digital change programmes, predominantly in the financial services, as well as a long-standing involvement with the voluntary sector.
UK Power Networks Services
has announced David Mitchell as its new Director. He replaces Ian Smyth, who will join Electricity North West as Chief Executive Officer later this year. David is an experienced leader who has worked for the company in its various forms since joining as an apprentice in 1980. In his most recent position as Head of Client Delivery, David has been responsible for the delivery of major projects for key clients including works at Hinkley Point C, Great Western train line (GWEP) and London Underground.
J S Wright has appointed Andrew Osborne as Electrical Project Manager. Based at the company’s new London office in Euston, he will help manage the electrical element of M&E projects as part of the company’s rapidly growing project management team.
