Do you want to grab the headlines at the CEW Awards 2015? Then why not take centre stage and be a main sponsor of the biggest event in the Welsh construction calendar.

CEW Awards are one of the biggest events in the Welsh construction calendar. Tables and promotional opportunities go fast because it the evening is not just a great celebration party for the industry – it is also one of the best and easiest methods of putting the name of your organisation or project in front of potential customers and partners by becoming a sponsor.

Traditionally the tables at the CEW Awards sell out fast and the evening has a real party atmosphere with networking and celebrations combining for a memorable evening. Indeed, everyone is a winner – from sponsors, guests and award winners themselves through to everyone connected via the Welsh construction supply chain.

Innovate UK is offering up to £6M of Innovation Funding to meet the challenges of the Built Environment and Construction.

Innovate UK has published two new business-led competitions to tackle key challenges affecting the Built Environment:

£2M for Supply Chain Collaboration

£4M for Whole-Life Performance. 

The competitions will be open to UK business led consortia. SME’s can attract up to 70% funding and large business can attract up to 50% subject to conditions. 

Free Events

Free-to-attend events in January and February in Birmingham, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and London are all being announced here

The first is Birmingham on 27 Jan and there is still availability to book your space here.

Based on our industry research and previous engagements we think these could be relevant to your organisation.

The Welsh Government is to ban the use of umbrella payroll companies on its construction projects.

The decision comes after protests from construction union UCATT, which targeted Carillion’s A465 Heads of Valleys road widening project.

Welsh Assembly member for Blaenau Gwent, Alun Davies, and the union raised concerns last year about the use of umbrella firms on the £180m project between Brynmawr and Tredegar.

Edwina Hart the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport has now announced that she has instructed her officials to change the wording of future Welsh Government construction contracts to ensure that umbrella companies cannot be used in the same way again.

Hart has also confirmed that no worker on the A465 will be employed via an umbrella company.

They will instead be employed on a standard PAYE basis either by Carillion or its own employment agency Skyblue.

UCATT has led a long-term campaign against the use of umbrella companies which cost some workers £100 a week.

A Carillion spokesperson said: ““Following a review which we carried out at the end of last year we are currently in the process of discussing with all staff affected how the changes impact them.

“The current arrangements were put in place following changes imposed by the Chancellor. Our arrangements have always been compliant with HMRC rules.”

Nick Blundell, UCATT Regional Secretary for Wales and the South West, said: “The use of umbrella companies is unfair and exploitative. The decision of the Welsh Government to crackdown on their use both on the A465 and on all of their contracts is excellent news.”

Blundell, added: “This is a significant victory in UCATT’s campaign against umbrella companies. It is now essential that all other public sector contracts introduce similar measures and umbrella companies are entirely outlawed.”

Article from Construction Enquirer.