Page 16 - CFJ_Apr26

LATEST NEWS | BRIEFING

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS MONTH

• Small businesses face from -8% to -6% in Q4. New Division and supports its • A construction firm has
an ‘unprecedented cost work stands at -8%, while ambition to become a leading been fined after a worker
crunch’ in April, with higher repair and maintenance partner for sustainable suffered serious injuries in a
energy bills, business rates, outperforms at +7%. nonwoven solutions. 1.65m fall during renovation
employment costs and • UK job vacancies have • Amber Underfloor Heating works in Islington in August
changes to statutory sick 2021. An HSE investigation
pay, the Federation of Small fallen to a five-year low, has listed its full product found Bow Tie Construction
Businesses (FSB) warns. In a Adzuna research shows. In range on LUCKINSlive, failed to implement safe
letter to the chancellor, it said January, advertised roles the UK building services work-at-height systems,
35% of firms plan to close or dropped 3% to 695,000, the industry’s product database despite a previous prohibition
cut output over the next year first time below 700,000 with over one million items. notice.
due to rising standing energy since January 2021. Graduate Director Steven Rooney said
charges, national living wage vacancies fell under 10,000 customers can now easily • A South of Scotland firm
increases and higher dividend for the first time since find and specify products by has secured a £330,000
tax rates. 2016. The decline comes as searching Amber Underfloor grant to advance its recycled
unemployment hits 5.2% and Heating and adding items glass technology. Vaso by
• Sir Keir Starmer has wage growth slows, with directly to specifications. Eco converts waste glass
delayed a bill requiring young people most affected. into structural panels for
landlords to fix dangerous • Flanders Flooring Days low-carbon modular homes,
cladding, despite Angela • More than 6,000 architects returns to Kortrijk from positioned as a response
Rayner previously claiming and designers attended 18–21 May 2026 for its to Scotland’s 2024 housing
a ‘deal’ to introduce it, Surface Design Show 2026 fifth edition, with 74% of emergency.
The Times reports. The at London’s Business Design 2025 participants already
Remediation Bill, promised Centre, where over 180 confirmed. Supported by • Nullifire has launched
last summer with threats exhibitors presented surface Fedustria and Centexbel, FS704 Fire Resistant Hybrid
of unlimited fines or and material innovations. it welcomes flooring Sealant, developed by
imprisonment, was expected Visiting practices included professionals from across Tremco CPG UK. Designed
this session. Sources now Foster + Partners, Grimshaw, Europe. Visitors can tour for sealing linear joints,
say it is no longer a priority, Gensler, HOK, Allies and manufacturer sites and it uses advanced hybrid
raising concerns about Morrison, David Collins explore exhibitors at Kortrijk polymer technology and was
further delays to high-rise Studio and IA Interior Xpo. developed with the Tremco
safety works. Architects, alongside brands • Autumn Budget changes CPG Centre of Excellence in
such as Marks & Spencer, the Netherlands.
• UK construction activity Selfridges, Starbucks and are shifting more university
remains broadly flat, Bloomberg. costs onto graduates, • Saint-Gobain Weber has
according to the RICS UK CEBR says. Freezing Plan 2 introduced its weberfloor
Construction Monitor. • Beaulieu International repayment thresholds until bag and bottle 4000
Forward indicators suggest a Group has signed a share 2029 means higher monthly system, a water-free,
modest rise in workloads and purchase agreement to repayments as wages rise. two-part smoothing and
employment over the next acquire IFG Asota GMBH, The average 2022 graduate levelling compound for sites
year, led by infrastructure, an Austria-based fibre is expected to repay with limited water supply,
despite financial and company and key synthetic £69,300, around £9,300 combining bagged powder
planning pressures. The staple fibres producer. The more than if thresholds had with a protein-free polymer
headline indicator edged deal strengthens its Fibres increased. liquid.

16 CFJ April 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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