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Government draws up Brexit checklist for construction The government has drawn up a list of the top five things construction needs to know ahead of the UK finally leaving the EU at the beginning of next year. The UK officially left the EU in January 2020 but EU rules and regulations have remained this year as part of a 12-month transition period. Now the business department has put together a list of actions the industry needs to check in order to get ready for 1 January 2021. Five tips for construction 1. Comply with the new immigration policies for recruiting from overseas From January 2021, free movement with the EU will end and the Government will introduce a points-based system specific to the UK. EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally and will need to meet certain requirements to work in the UK. If you want to recruit workers from outside the UK from 1 January 2021, you should apply to be a visa sponsor. To find out how to comply with the new system as an employer visit: www.gov.uk/ government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information 2. Check if a visa or work permit is required to travel to the EU for work purposes and apply if necessary From January 2021, travel to the EU for work purposes may require a visa or work permit – whether you are employed in the private, public or third sector. Depending on the nature of your work and the country you are travelling to, additional documents may also be required. For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021 3. Use GOV.UK for information on overseas tariffs, rules and border formalities for trading goods worldwide From January 2021, there will be new requirements for how goods are exported from the UK. Use the ‘Check How to Export Goods’ service on GOV.UK to check duties and customs procedures for exporting your goods worldwide. www.gov.uk/check-duties-customs-exporting 4. Check if Import VAT is due at the border From January 2021, if you import any goods from the EU into Great Britain you may need to pay Import VAT Import VAT will not be due at the border if goods in a consignment are worth less than £135. The only exception to this is consignments containing excise goods, where Import VAT (along with Excise and Customs duties where applicable) will be due at the border. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-vat-treatment-of- overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-from-1-january-2021 5. Apply due diligence to export/import timber from UK to EU to meet legal harvest requirements From 1 January 2021, you may need to prove any timber you import or export between the UK and EU/EEA has been legally harvested. Due diligence checks will be required if you import timber from the EU and EEA, and documentation about the source and legality of your timber will be required for exporting timber to the EU or EEA. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/trading-timber-imports-and-exports-if-theres-no-brexit-deal Non-compliant companies will be held to account The draft Building Safety Bill, which was developed after the Government accepted all of the recommendations in the Hackitt Report produced in response to the Grenfell disaster, will create a legal framework for holding non-compliant companies to account. The new regulator will also have retrospective powers to prosecute poor quality work being carried out now. Speaking at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) conference recently, Dame Judith Hackitt said: “It will no longer be possible for people to say they did what the rules said they could; or did it because the rules didn’t tell them they shouldn’t. “Knowing that the regulations are coming should be enough reason to start making changes now, but it also makes business sense to get ahead of competitors and ahead of the game – you can then avoid costly arguments about rectification in the future. Not to mention the potential threat of added penalties from the regulator.” She said there were too many companies not doing anything at all, but there were also a “good number” of early adopters. “So, we are looking at ways to recognise those companies and reward themwith a special accreditation for taking the lead – giving you another reason to be ahead of the game.” Hackitt said the new regime would require a step change in approaches to safety management and control. “You must be able to demonstrate you have the system in place and the leadership to make sure work is done properly…and you will need to employ competent people at every stage.” She also criticisedfirmswho had deliberately decided not to record project information despite thewidespread availability of digital technology thatmade it straightforward. “That will no longer be allowed,” she said. David Harrison David Harrison, Managing Director of Hayles and Howe Ltd and the President of Hayles and Howe, Inc has died. The company specialises in the manufacture of ornamental plaster and scagliola, completing restorations atWindsor Castle, Buckingham Palace andThe Royal Opera House, David was keen to ensure that the heritage skills weren’t lost to a new generation and contributed to the work of the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors (FPDC) before they merged to form the FIS. After the Apollo theatre collapse David worked closely with the FIS to develop the competency standard and condition reporting of ceilings across London and beyond. He will bemissed across the sector. 12 www.thefis.org