News

Roofing contractors reported a significant growth in workloads during the first quarter of 2021 but were hampered by recruitment difficulties and continued material shortages and price rises.

NFRC has launched a brand-new app focused on health and safety for NFRC members and their operatives. The app fully digitalises the popular ‘Health & Safety Passport’, which previously had been a printed booklet that operatives could carry with them on site.

NFRC’s Annual Accident Statistics for 2019/20 show that members of the federation reported 73 accidents in the 2019/20 financial year, out of 23,300 employees and labour-only subcontractors.

Sadly, the news that the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme is not being continued, whilst disappointing, does not come as a surprise. Despite warnings from industry, the Scheme did not work for the businesses that were expected to deliver it.

The winners of the UK Roofing Awards 2020 have now been chosen despite the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

NFRC is currently looking for a proven sales manager for the RoofCERT accreditation scheme.

The Chancellor has set out a solid investment-led economic roadmap in his Budget that supports the UK economy as it comes out of lockdown and into recovery.

NFRC has published a ‘Six Point Plan’ for the Chancellor to help support the roofing and cladding industry build back better, greener and safer from the Covid-19 pandemic.

When asked to rank their top three concerns for 2021, almost half of roofing and cladding contractors (48 per cent) put material shortages at the top of the list, according to a brand new report, produced by Glenigan for NFRC.

NFRC is currently looking for an experienced candidate to take on the role of Regional Manager for the North West.

NFRC has received confirmation from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) that its application to the government’s Kickstart Scheme has been successful.

Following the announcement of further national lockdowns across the UK, and no lifting of restrictions on large public gatherings expected any time soon, NFRC has taken the difficult decision to cancel the postponed 2020 UK Roofing Awards live event, previously scheduled for 28 May 2021.

The government’s support for construction has been most welcome and has clearly born fruit, as seen in today’s data, but it must not be undermined by the supply chain being unable to deliver due to a lack of government preparation for a no-deal Brexit.

NFRC has relaunched its charitable arm as the NFRC Charitable Trust, with a broader remit and three new trustees.

Neville volunteered his time and energy to support the roofing industry and NFRC in particular. He sat on the NFRC Midlands Committee for over 40 years, serving as both its Chairman and Treasurer at various times, eventually becoming NFRC president in 1996.

NFRC, will today launch a formal investigation into two Supplier Members, Associated Lead Mills Ltd (ALM) and BLM British Lead. The move follows the announcement from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on 4 November 2020 that both firms had entered into anti-competitive arrangements.

The vast majority of roofing contractors reported being either ‘busy’ or ‘very busy’ in a recent survey by the UK’s largest roofing trade body, NFRC. However, a significant number of roofers reported concerns around payment.

It is very welcome that a further £320 million of funding has been committed to the Green Homes Grant for the next year, but the government has missed a trick by not extending this to have a broader scope.

The decision to extend the Green Homes Grant by a further year is a welcome relief for the industry. The previous timescale was completely unrealistic when many firms needed time to get the relevant accreditations, and most contractors and suppliers were already operating at full capacity.

The Chancellor’s commitment to protect, support and create jobs is very welcome. His support package on job retention and apprenticeships will act as a lifeline for contractors and manufacturers across the roofing industry.