CityFibre celebrates latest milestone in Portsmouth full fibre rollout

Internet users across the south of Portsmouth are now able to connect their homes and businesses to the fastest and most reliable broadband infrastructure available, thanks to progress made by CityFibre. CityFibre has now made the majority of homes in the Southsea, Fratton, Milton, Eastney, Copnor and Burrfields areas of the city ‘ready for service’, which means residents can choose to connect to the full fibre broadband services on offer in their area. Customers can sign up to UK launch partner Vodafone, TalkTalk, IDNet, Digital Homes and Giganet, with other providers expected to join the network soon. The rollout is now progressing into new areas in the north of the city with construction well underway in Hilsea and Anchorage Park. Last year, CityFibre laid 315km of full fibre digital infrastructure beneath the streets of Portsmouth, enough to go round Portsea Island 15 times. Once the rollout reaches completion, almost every home and business locally will have access to full fibre services from a choice of internet service providers. Jon Russell, CityFibre’s City Manager for Portsmouth says: “CityFibre is making great progress in Portsmouth. Residents, businesses, and community groups I’ve spoken to have been amazed at just how much fibre we've put down in the last few months. Reaching this latest milestone means residents can now start to benefit from this digital investment that will future-proof their connectivity for decades to come.” Unlike copper-based ‘fibre broadband’ and co-axil cable services available today, full fibre networks use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data at lightning speed all the way to and from the home and the point of connection. This gives users consistently faster speeds for upload and download (up to 1,000 Mbps), with near limitless bandwidth so everyone at home can work, study, stream or game simultaneously, while providing connectivity users can depend on. Construction is being delivered by CNN Communications on behalf of CityFibre. The team is using a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Portsmouth City Council and local communities to deliver a fast rollout while managing potential disruption.

Government answers ECA and industry calls for 0% VAT on renewables

ECA has welcomed the announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut VAT on energy efficiency and renewable technologies to 0%. In line with ECA’s recent calls for government to take urgent action against rising energy bills, the Chancellor today announced that, for the next five years, VAT will no longer be paid on domestic renewable energy installations and energy efficiency measures. This includes solar PV panels, heat pumps, and insulation. ECA recently joined the Renewable Energy Association (REA), Solar Energy UK, and an unprecedented coalition of organisations calling on government to take action in its Spring Statement. The Chancellor said that a family with a solar PV panel would see tax savings worth £1,000, and a reduction of £300 per year on their energy bills. ECA’s Energy and Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor Luke Osborne says: “The industry breathes a sigh of relief at today’s announcement by the Chancellor. These are measures that will ultimately boost long-term growth for the economy, leaving families better-off, and our nation better protected from the impacts of global crises on energy prices. “However, there is no time to rest easy – the electrotechnical sector must seize this opportunity to focus on delivering the installations and energy efficiency measures that will result in cheaper bills and lower carbon emissions for consumers. “Only with the right investment in apprenticeships, skills and competence will that ambition be realised. While it is reassuring to have backing from the government, there is a lot more that needs to be done.”

BGEN appoints Greg Duncan as Group Health & Safety Director

BGEN has appointed Greg Duncan as Group Health & Safety Director. The board level appointment reinforces the company’s commitment to health and safety and will see Greg tasked with continuing the company’s continuous journey to zero harm. This will include overseeing the ongoing digitalisation of the organisation’s health and safety systems. “As a business we’ve always placed paramount importance on health and safety,” says Robin Whitehead, chief executive at BGEN. “This board level appointment, a first for the company, will give Greg the platform to further improve our health and safety systems. Health and safety will remain our number one value.” Prior to joining BGEN, Greg has held various senior health and safety roles during his twenty-plus year career at companies including Balfour Beatty. During this time, he has worked across several sectors, including nuclear, which have extremely high health and safety standards. He also holds a number of formal qualifications and has been a chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health for more than 15 years. In the short-term, Greg’s main priority will be developing a detailed understanding of BGEN. This will include visiting BGEN’s customers onsite, many of which operate in industries such as FMCG, heavy industry, pharmaceutical and utilities. Medium to long-term, Greg will oversee the ongoing digitalisation of the company’s health and safety systems. This will provide the business with real-time analytics and leading indicators to inform future decisions on investment such as training and spend to support the organisation’s continuous journey to zero harm. “I have joined BGEN at an exciting time following its recent rebrand from Boulting, with the company firmly focused on the future,” says Greg Duncan. “I am looking forward to supporting BGEN’s next generation engineering solutions with forward-thinking and strategic health and safety support. I have a blank canvass to help evolve the company’s approach and make a real difference”

Search for ‘hero’ tradespeople begins for annual ‘Local Hero Awards’ 

The public are now being encouraged to nominate the kindest and most deserving tradesperson they know to become the second winner of SGS’ Local Hero Awards! Last year, hero builder Graham Nash of  Pinnacle Builders in Leeds was voted the winner in SGS' public poll (with 39% of the 2,000 votes), after his fantastic work correcting errors made by cowboy builders when working on the homes of ordinary people and making the corrections completely free of charge. The second edition of the Local Hero Awards have been launched by SGS this week and are designed to celebrate the most generous and thoughtful plumbers, builders, electricians, joiners, gardeners, and mechanics who have offered valued help to those in need. One national winner will be awarded a £1,000 cash prize, while up to five regional winners will each take home cash prizes worth £250. Dave Gordon, General Manager at SGS Engineering explains: “We heard about so many wonderful tradespeople during the first awards, including those who took elderly customers for a fish supper, some who worked for NHS staff for free in the height of the pandemic, and many others who went above and beyond. “We believe that these selfless people and their acts should be celebrated, and that’s why we’re delighted to launch the second edition of the ‘Local Hero Awards’. “If you know of a tradesperson who has done everything in their power to make the world a better place then let us know – a £1000 cash prize could be the perfect way to thank them for their generosity!” Nominating someone for a local hero award is free and easy to do via the dedicated entry form. Those making a nomination are encouraged to share information about the tradesperson who helped them (or a friend/family member), what they did, and when they did it. Entry closes at 11:59pm on Friday 15th April. Expert industry judges from SGS will be reviewing all entries personally. A shortlist of finalists will be contacted and then revealed publicly. A poll will then be opened, enabling the general public to vote for an overall national winner and up to a further five regional winners, who will be crowned on 28th April. Prizes include: Overall national winner: £1,000 cash prize Regional winner (Scotland): £250 cash prize Regional winner (Northern England): £250 cash prize Regional winner (Midlands & Southern England): £250 cash prize Regional winner (Wales): £250 cash prize Regional winner (Northern Ireland): £250 cash prize

Domestic electrician apprenticeship receives green light

The domestic electrical market in England now has a formal, funded training structure following the approval of the new Domestic Electrician Level 3 apprenticeship standard. With the new apprenticeship, approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, domestic electrical work now has its own clear identity with an industry standard and assessment route agreed by employers. Three years in duration, the apprenticeship standard provides a comprehensive Level 3 training programme that will cover all facets of planning, installing and maintaining electrical services within a domestic setting. It also includes training and assessment in Domestic Electric Vehicle charging point installation, and will provide a strong platform of foundation skills to equip learners to undertake further training in the installation of new and low carbon technologies. Domestic Electrician apprentices will gain a new Level 3 technical Electrotechnical in Dwellings qualification and will have to carry out an in-depth End Point Assessment that is a modified version of the existing industry assessment of competence, the AM2. The standard was developed by an industry employer group, in response to growing demand for a high-quality training route that clearly ring fences domestic electrical work and provides a structured training programme for both new entrants and those already in the workforce. Neil Moran, Technical Safety Assurance Manager at British Gas and Chair of the Employer Group, comments: “For the first time, the role and scope of a domestic electrician has been precisely defined to give the role a funded, formal training pathway and clearly demarcate this occupation from the Installation Electrician standard. “With the introduction of the apprenticeship, we now have a structured route for training highly skilled and competent individuals for the significant amount of work carried out by employers working in the domestic sector. It will help us attract new entrants and raise competence levels to a clear industry benchmark. We hope that training providers will join employers in delivering high quality apprenticeships against the new standard.”

Revolutionary tool launched to help businesses go electric

Businesses setting out to electrify their depot-based vehicle fleets can now put their plans in the fast lane, thanks to an industry-first tool developed by UK Power Networks. In a first for the industry, UK Power Networks has launched a new tool as part of the world’s largest electric fleet trial, revolutionising the process of going electric for businesses across the UK. Optimise Prime is an innovation project helping find practical solutions to overcome the challenges fleet operators face when going electric. Royal Mail, Centrica and Uber now have over 6,000 Electric Vehicles (EVs) taking part in the project, in partnership with UK Power Networks and Hitachi. As part of the project, UK Power Networks has developed a ‘site planning tool’ making it quicker and easier for fleets to make the switch to EVs. A simple online system, it has been designed for any fleet manager to assess how to go electric at the lowest cost. Electrifying a fleet is a complex process. Managers must consider what vehicles are needed on which routes, when they are needed and where there is space to charge. By inputting information such as vehicle schedules, mileage and site energy profiles, the tool easily compares different scenarios to understand the impact of going electric and the benefits of using smart charging. The tool also checks if a site needs an electricity connection upgrade, or if a fleet can operate on the existing connection. As a result, distribution network operators have a better understanding of customers’ needs, reducing the need for costly, time-consuming upgrades and ultimately accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles in the transition to net zero. Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Services and Innovation at UK Power Networks, says: “Most fleet managers have a busy operation to run, so we want to make sure switching to EVs is just as easy and cost effective as buying any car or van. The Site Planning Tool has transformed this process for businesses across the country. Helping fleet managers understand exactly what it will look like to run an electric fleet, what is involved and the cost saving benefits of smart charging is a vital step to helping businesses go electric.” Michael Wilmshurst, Fleet Business Development Manager at Novuna Vehicle Solutions comments: “UK Power Networks’ tool is straightforward to follow and supported with some good literature. In particular, the scenario results were really interesting and I particularly liked the interactive graphs, which helps me to work out different scenarios on the optimum charging strategy to discuss with my commercial fleet clients, as they transition to electric vehicles.”

Revealed: the most in-demand trades across the UK 

Brits search for local tradespeople on Google over 700,000 times a month and now new research has revealed which of the trades are most in demand. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, analysed search data from across the nation and found that plumbers are the most sought-after. Every month, Brits make 162,415 searches for plumbers, representing 23% of all online trade enquiries. In fact, in 82 of the UK’s 100 largest towns and cities, plumbers are the most coveted tradespeople. The most in-demand trades across the UK are:   Trade Average UK monthly searches Percentage of all searches for tradespeople 1 Plumber 162,415 23% 2 Electrician 107,230 15% 3 Landscaper 94,337 13% 4 Roofer 67,508 10% 5 Plasterer 65,943 9% 6 Carpenter 60,798 9% 7 Builder 56,585 8% 8 Joiner 41,563 6% 9 Bricklayer 18,664 3% 10 Building Surveyor 11,612 2% 11 Scaffolder 8,538 1% 12 Painter 8,283 1%   The people of Bath are most likely to seek the services of a tradesperson, with 103 monthly Google searches per 1,000 residents – the highest rate in the UK. The Somerset city is followed by Preston (102) and Bedford (88). However, this varies by trade, with Exeter being the most lucrative city for many workers. Trade Most sought after city Average monthly searches Joiner Southampton 4,813 Plumber Blackpool 4,158 Plasterer Bath 3,525 Electrician Worcester 2,088 Roofer Preston 1,810 Builder Exeter 1,702 Landscaper Exeter 930 Carpenter Bedford 866 Bricklayer Colchester 354 Scaffolder Exeter 253 Painter Exeter 183 Building Surveyor Cambridge 173   Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, says: “Tradespeople are incredibly valued members of communities all over the UK, but it’s interesting to see exactly where their skills are most sought after at the moment. “For people looking to enter a trade or set up their own business, data like this could be really useful when choosing a location to establish yourself, as it’s a helpful indicator of potential demand for your services.”

ECA joins calls for unprecedented action on energy prices in spring budget

ECA has signed two open letters to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, calling for urgent action to address the cost-of-living crisis and reduce consumers’ energy bills. ECA joined the Renewable Energy Association (REA), Solar Energy UK, and a wide coalition of industry, supplier and environmental bodies calling on the Chancellor to take unprecedented action in his upcoming spring statement. The open letter from the REA, co-signed by ECA and over 20 organisations including Octopus Energy, Good Energy and Ecotricity, urges the government to take steps including moving ‘green’ levies into general taxation, suspending VAT on energy bills, and establishing an effective home insulation scheme. Steve Bratt, ECA CEO, says: “Global shocks to the economy have sent energy prices skyrocketing. The price hikes are frightening and are set to plunge millions into fuel poverty. “Yet, the solution to energy price volatility is right under our noses. By rebalancing the taxation system in favour of clean energy, fuel bills will come down. “Clean electricity has the advantage of being a more secure, stable and cheaper energy source than other fuels. “Greater government investment in renewable energy will generate cheaper electricity, and bring long term stability and relief from spiralling prices.” In parallel, the open letter from Solar Energy UK calls on the Chancellor to reduce the rate of VAT on domestic renewable and energy efficiency technologies to 0%. The letter adds that the cut in VAT "would help to increase the resilience of individual households and reduce their energy costs, while also increasing our national energy security." Luke Osborne, ECA’s Energy & Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, comments: “Our best chance at tackling the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis lies in government’s ability to prioritise renewable energy, and focus on reaching net zero Carbon as soon as possible. The evidence is no longer up for debate: we have the right tools to cut carbon and bills. Let’s start by cutting VAT on domestic renewables.”

Band of Builders launches counselling service to tackle mental health crisis

Construction workers in crisis are being urged to use a new free counselling service that has been set up by a national builders charity, after its inaugural Big Brew fundraising campaign raised enough cash to run the service for the next two years. Band of Builders (BoB) is reaching out to tradespeople who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship issues, self-harm, feeling suicidal or any other trauma to encourage them to take the all-important first step of seeking help, which is tailored for those in the construction industry. Tradespeople can self-refer themselves through the charity’s website and receive confidential counselling in person (dependent on location), by phone or online via a video call service such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Band of Builders is also funding the training of 150 mental health awareness courses - designed primarily for builders merchants staff across the UK, as they are often the first line of support for tradespeople. The introduction of the counselling service and the drive to make mental health awareness courses available is the charity’s response to tackling the mental health crisis within the construction industry, where the suicide rate of UK construction workers is estimated to be as high as two people every day. UK construction workers are also nearly three times as likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in other industries. Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at Band of Builders, is keen to encourage any construction worker in need to access help and support through the new counselling service. “Band of Builders has a very active community of nearly 50,000 tradespeople across the UK and they share so many heart breaking stories of people who are struggling, or facing some very serious situations,” he says. “We hope that our new counselling service can be a real lifeline for people who think they have nowhere else to turn. “Whilst there are some incredible organisations out there doing fantastic work to support people across the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing, we hope that the fact we’re a charity for builders, run by builders, might make it ever so slightly easier for people in crisis to reach out to us.” “The Big Brew was conceived as a way to encourage tradespeople to open up about their mental health over a cuppa. The builders merchant sector in particular really got behind this and during the month there were nearly 200 events that were hosted across the UK,” he adds. “The campaign was run in conjunction with Resideo, and events were held at the likes of Jewson, Talasey, Lords, DEWALT, Graham's, Plumb Centre, Wolseley and many more, because we know that many tradespeople feel isolated and a visit to a merchant to get materials may be their only human interaction during a day. This is why the funding of mental health first aiders for merchants is equally as important to BoB and because counter staff will be trained to spot tell-tale signs of builders who are struggling. They can also talk and potentially offer support.” Peter concludes: “We’d much rather support lots of people who are in crisis, than even just one family who have been left bereaved because a tradesperson has taken their own life.” Big Brew will be running again this October and BoB has set its sights on doubling the amount of events across the UK, so it can fund even more mental health provision for the construction industry.

The EV charging landscape

A recent roundtable on electric vehicles (EVs) - hosted by Electrical Safety First and the Electrical Contractors Association, included the first-ever mapping of the UK’s EV charging landscape with a spotlight on safety. The event was the latest in a series of roundtables arising from the charity’s Future Homes report, which reviewed the key technologies and themes relating to the net zero homes of the future, and how they create an interconnected web of safety challenges. So it was fitting that the EV roundtable attracted a wide range of representatives, from car manufacturers to housing associations, as well as trade and industry bodies, including distribution network operators, in addition to consumer organisations. This collaborative event included independent research from the ECA, which helped form part of the safe-charging map for EVs. “These roundtables were established to gain feedback on our report, to inform further research and campaigns and to extend collaborative working in this area”, explains Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First. “Our research with the ECA in mapping the UK’s EV charging landscape built on earlier work, where we found a correlation between a lack of easy access to an EV chargers and ‘risky’ charging behaviour. This latest, collaborative project gathered information from a range of data sources, including local authorities, to determine if the charging landscape is keeping pace with the growth in EVs. Unfortunately, the ECA’s freedom of information requests found 66% of local authorities who responded had no EV charging infrastructure strategy at all.” ECA Energy Solutions Advisor, Luke Osbourne, adds: “There is no question that EV charging is key to unlocking our potential to reach our ambitious net zero targets. Our independent research has shown that there is a worrying lack of joined-up policy at Government level, which is reflected in the postcode lottery of charging facilities across the country. Through our collaboration with Electrical Safety First, and other industry and government bodies, we must stay collectively focused on building sustainable, consumer-friendly, and robust EV infrastructure, to meet the demands of this booming market – and, more importantly, to help mitigate the climate crisis.” Discussions raised a number of other significant issues, including potential safety issues and the strain on the distribution network operators (DNO), as approximately a third of home EV charge point installations are not notified with the DNO. Representatives stressed the importance of further education and engagement with the industry, as well as the consumer. There was also broad agreement that a joined-up, national and local government infrastructure strategy was essential. However, discussions also highlighted how the views of residents must be consulted in establishing local needs.