Supporting the construction industry is paramount

During the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing, Health Secretary, Matt Hancock echoed the government’s stance that construction sites can keep working if workers are able to stick to social distancing rules.

He said: “The judgment we have made is that in work, in many instances, the 2m rule can be applied. Where possible, people should work from home and employers have a duty to ensure that people are more than 2m apart.”

According to government guidelines, all documented at the NFB website, work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms.

No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, and where the tradesperson is willing to do so.

No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.

Richard Beresford “We will continue to support our members the best we can. We have written up some detailed guidance for our members, to help them apply social distancing and to make sure that a high standard of health and safety is kept at their sites.

He continued “Many NFB members have self-employed supply chains they feel responsible for and this has been a very trying time as there is little for them to fall back on. We are now looking to the government to provide more support for self-employed people and help them through this difficult period.”

The NFB’s ‘COVID-19 guidance for construction companies and workers’ is available, here.

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Property values climb in Q1

The latest Property Market Index Review by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that the property market lost momentum during the first quarter of 2026, with house prices showing signs of recovery following the previous quarter’s fall.   The Benham and Reeves Market Index Review The Benham and Reeves Property Market Index…
Read More
Breaking News

Propertymark backs move to commonhold

Propertymark has welcomed proposals from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to phase out the sale of new leasehold flats in England and Wales, while warning that the transition to commonhold must be carefully managed to avoid market disruption and consumer confusion. Responding to the UK Government’s consultation on “Moving to commonhold: banning…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Phasing out leasehold flats is the right thing to do

Propertymark has welcomed UK Government proposals to ban the sale of new leasehold flats and replace them with a commonhold system designed to give homeowners greater control over their properties. Responding to a consultation launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Propertymark said the reforms could help tackle many of the long-standing…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Deposit Disputes Are Rising – Are Baths to Blame?

Interior Designers Say Acrylic Baths Are the Hidden Culprit in Family Rentals Deposit disputes over bathroom damage are rising, and acrylic bath surfaces are the overlooked culprit. Acrylic baths are often marketed as lasting 10 to 15 years or more, yet designers say many start to look tired in busy family homes within just a…
Read More
Breaking News

Inheritance tax haul grows as more families are dragged into the tax net

Inheritance tax receipts got off to a slightly slower start in the first month of the 2026/27 tax year, but the figures still underline how rapidly the tax burden on estates continues to grow. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collected £0.7 billion in inheritance tax in April, £65 million less than during the same month…
Read More
Breaking News

The 10 biggest homebuyer turn-offs

From overgrown gardens to nightmare neighbours, homeowners across Britain could be knocking tens of thousands of pounds off the value of their property before a buyer even makes an offer.   New insight from House Buyer Bureau reveals the most common homebuyer turn-offs that could be thwarting your chances of making a sale, and the…
Read More