Archives for March 2020

Insolvency Law and Job Retention Scheme – COVID 19 Updates

The GGF has received more news from Government which may affect your business during these unprecedented times.
Changes to Insolvency Law
The Government has amended the insolvency law to help companies to continue to trade whilst considering options to remain solvent.

Under the plans, the UK’s Insolvency Framework will add new restructuring tools that mirror the USA’s Chapter 11 procedure, a well-established model adopted by countries around the world.

This includes:

A moratorium (a legal authorization to debtors to postpone payments) for companies giving them breathing space for from creditors enforcing their debts for a period of time whilst they seek a rescue or restructure;

Protection of their supplies to enable them to continue trading during the moratorium; and a new restructuring plan, binding creditors to that plan

The proposals will also include key safeguards for creditors and suppliers to ensure they are paid, while existing laws against fraudulent trading and the threat of director disqualification will continue to act as an effective deterrent against reckless misuse of these new measures.

Wrongful trading provisions

The Government will also temporarily suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use their best endeavours to continue to trade during this pandemic emergency, without the threat of personal liability, should the company ultimately fall into insolvency.

The proposals will also include key safeguards for creditors and suppliers to ensure they are paid, while existing laws against fraudulent trading and the threat of director disqualification will continue to act as an effective deterrent against reckless misuse of these new measures.

In addition, while laws against fraudulent trading and director misconduct will continue to provide a deterrent against poor practices, wrongful trading provisions in the Insolvency Act will be temporarily suspended specifically to give confidence to directors to continue trading without the threat of personal liability, should the company ultimately fall into insolvency. Find out more here

Update: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Last week the Government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme application portal would be available from 6^th April, it now appears that availability will late April.

New guidance on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has now been published.

This scheme could save businesses an extra £300 a month for each employee and the government will now cover the employer national insurance and minimum auto-enrolment pension scheme contributions that employers pay on the wages they must pay their furloughed staff – on top of the wages covered under the scheme. Employees who are furloughed can volunteer for the NHS without risking their pay. Guidance for employers on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme can be found here whilst guidance for employees can be found here.

To keep up to speed with all the GGF updates on the Coronavirus crisis please visit the GGF website COVID-19 Business Continuity Support section: https://www.ggf.org.uk/covid-19/.

The GGF will continue to send Members the daily Business Continuity Support e-alerts to ensure they are kept fully up to date with this fast moving situation.

Please continue follow the Government advice and instructions to prevent the spread of this virus and remain safe and well.

COVID 19: Government Unveils Support for the Self-Employed

COVID 19, News, Politics | 26.03.20

Self-employed workers adversely affected by COVID-19, will be able to apply for a taxable grant of up to £2,500 a month to help them cope with the financial impact of coronavirus, the chancellor has announced on 26 March.

The money will be drawn for a new Self Employed Income Support Scheme and will be paid in a single lump sum, but will not begin to arrive until the start of June at the earliest.

The Chancellor stated that self-employed people facing financial difficulties will be able to have 80% of their monthly wages covered by the government.

The 80% of monthly wages calculation will be based on using average monthly profits over last three financial years.

The support will be capped at £2,500 per month, and will initially last three months though there is the possibility of an extension.

This latest financial support follows the Government Plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers in the Job Retention Scheme announced last week. Both schemes cover the same amount of income for a self-employed person as for furloughed employees.

In his announcement the Chancellor stated the Government has followed advice to be “controlled” in their actions, ensuring the right measures arrive at the right time whilst also acknowledging that people are worrying about their jobs and incomes.

The Chancellor stated that working with unions and businesses, the Government had come up with a “coherent, coordinated and comprehensive” economic plan, which was “already” starting to make a difference.

He has urged businesses to look “very carefully” at what support is available before deciding to lay people off.

The Chancellor added, that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme is “unlike any other country”, making it one of the most “generous” in the world and that providing such “unprecedented” support had been “difficult” to do in practice, because the self-employed earn such varying amounts.

Steps taken to ensure the scheme is deliverable and fair include:

The scheme is only open to anyone of trading profits of up to £50,000.
It is also only open to those who gain the majority of their income from self-employment.
To minimize fraud, only those who are already in self-employment, who have a tax return for 2019 can apply.
95% of people who are majority self-employed will benefit
HMRC are working on this urgently, to make the scheme available by early June.

HMRC will contact those eligible directly, who will have to fill in a simple form online and the grant will be transferred directly.

Anyone who missed the filing deadline in January will be given 4 weeks from today to fill in their tax return.

For those who need support now, self-employed people can access the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, self-assessment income tax payments due in July can be deferred to January 2021, and self-employed people can now access Universal Credit.

The Chancellor concluded, that what the Government has done will stand as one of the “most significant economic interventions at any point the history of the British state and by any government, anywhere in the world”. Adding, “Despite these extraordinary steps, there will be challenges ahead, but these measures will help millions of people get through the crisis together, and emerge stronger and more united.”

The GGF welcomes this news of more Government support and encourages all those who are self- employed to apply to this scheme.

The GGF also encourages all Member companies who contract self-employed workers to cascade this information to them to ensure they apply to this scheme to help them during these difficult times.

The GGF will post more information and news as and when it happens to help Members cope during this crisis.

Follow the Government guidelines to avoid the spread of this deadly virus and stay safe and well.

Government Update: Working in a Domestic Residence during COVID-19 Crisis

COVID 19, Health, Safety and Environment, News, Politics | 25.03.20

The Government department MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government) has issued updated guidance on businesses and premises which are to close and also on tradepersons working in domestic premises.

Within this latest guidance, the Government has specified rules for tradespersons carrying out work within people’s homes.

This is outlined in section 2 of the guidance document and it allows construction companies operating in the domestic market to continue their operations. The most relevant guidelines are as follows:

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.

It is important to maintain a two metre distance from household occupants when carrying out this work

No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy (or reduce) a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency 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.

You can view the latest government guidance on this matter here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

To what extent this guidance will be remain the same, in light of the health and safety concerns being flagged we are unsure, but it does seem like there is a recognition from Government that works in the home are considered ‘essential’.

In the current crisis, the GGF naturally advocates that essential or emergency construction work to make homes secure, safe and healthy, must continue under the precautionary measures and social distancing outlined by the Government, for the wellbeing of those living in the buildings.

We will continue to look for further clarification or any changes to this policy as well as the Government’s policy on construction sites. The latest news on major construction sites operations and views/policies can be read here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52034586

The GGF will continue to work with Government and related agencies to keep you updated on this situation and others related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, to help your business cope in these extraordinary times.

We advise you visit the GGF platform https://www.ggf.org.uk/covid-19/ which has all the latest information and support for your business.

In the meantime, please follow the general Government guidelines around this crisis and remain safe and well.

COVID-19: the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and financial support available for small to medium businesses

COVID 19, Health, Safety and Environment, News, Politics | 25.03.20

The Government has introduced a number of support measures to help businesses deal with the disruption caused by COVID-19. This web page outlines the schemes of relevance to GGF Members, explains which businesses are eligible, and how they can apply. The schemes covered include:

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Statutory Sick Pay
Deferring VAT payments
Time to pay scheme
Small business rate relief or rural rate relief in England
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Business rates holiday

As a reference point, the Government has launched a new website which provides detailed information on all the business support measures made available to UK businesses and employees. We encourage businesses to regularly refer to this site for updates and additional guidance.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

What is the support?

During the crisis, UK employers will be able to access Government support to pay 80% of their employees’ salary up to a cap of £2,500 per month, for employees that would otherwise have been laid off. It does not apply to employees who have already been dismissed or made redundant.

This scheme is intended to apply for three months, starting 1^st March 2020, but can be extended if deemed necessary.

Who is entitled?

This support will be available for all UK businesses.

How do I apply?

Affected employees will need to be designated as ‘furloughed’ and notified of this change. Furloughing is a cost-saving measure that can be used by a business when it doesn’t want to lay off employees but lacks the resources to continue paying them at a full wage – this is likely to be a common occurrence during the COVID disruption.

Businesses will be required to submit information to HMRC about the employees that have been furloughed and their earnings, through a new online portal. Call HMRC’s dedicated helpline: 0800 0159 559. For further information.

HMRC are working to set up a system to process the reimbursement. The GGF is monitoring developments closely and will share this information with members when it is available. The expectation set by Government is for the first payments to be processed “within weeks” and certainly by the end of April 2020.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

What is the support?

The Government has committed to reimbursing small and medium sized businesses for SSP for sickness absence related to COVID-19. This refund will cover up to two weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who are either ill or been told to self-isolate.

The eligible period for the scheme began on 13 March.

Who is entitled?

This support will be available to all businesses with fewer than 250 staff.

How do I apply?

The Government is working to design a system to facilitate employer refunds for SSP. Employers are asked to maintain records of staff absences and will be informed of the repayment mechanism when this has been finalised. Guidance on SSP including eligibility and process details are available here.

The GGF is following developments closely and will inform members when the mechanism has been implemented.

Deferring VAT payments

What is the support?

The Government will support businesses during the crisis by deferring payment of VAT for three months.

This scheme will be in place from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.

Who is entitled?

This support will be available to all UK businesses.

How do I apply?

There is no requirement to apply for this support. Businesses will simply not be required to make VAT payments during this period.

Businesses will have until the end of the tax year 2020/21 to pay back liabilities incurred during this three-month period.

Time to pay scheme extended

What is the support?

HMRC have also scaled up their Time to Pay scheme for all businesses and individuals who are in financial difficulty as a result of Covid-19 and have outstanding tax liabilities. Under this scheme, arrangements can be agreed on a case by case basis depending on the individual circumstances of the individual’s/businesses’ financial situation and liabilities.

Who is entitled?

You are eligible if you/ your business: pays tax to the UK government and has outstanding tax liabilities

Call HMRC’s dedicated helpline: 0800 0159 559. For further information

Small business rate relief or rural rate relief in England

What is the support?

Small businesses may be eligible for a Government grant to help to cover fixed costs, such as rent, during the coming months.

Who is entitled?

If you have a property with a rateable value of less than £15,000 then you will be entitled to a grant of £10,000.

If you have a property with a rateable value of between £14,999 and £51,000 then you will be entitled to a cash grant of £25,000.

To find out the rateable value of your property, use this Government website.

How do I apply?

If you are an eligible business, your Local Authority will then be in touch in the coming weeks to provide details of how to claim this money.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

What is the support?

The Government is providing SMEs with access to loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million and for up to 6 years. It has also committed to covering interest payments and any lender-levied fees for the first 12 months, to lower initial repayments.

The scheme will be delivered through commercial lenders and will be backed by the government-owned British Business Bank.

Who is entitled?

All businesses that are UK based and have a turnover of no more than £45 million per year will be eligible for the scheme.

The borrowing proposal must be demonstrated to be viable for the lender, were it not for the current pandemic. Furthermore, it must be demonstrated that the provision of finance will enable the business to trade out of any short-to-medium term difficulty.

How do I apply?

The scheme is now open for applications. All major banks are offering this scheme.

To apply, you should talk to your bank or one of the 40 accredited finance providers (not the British Business Bank) as soon as possible. You can find out the latest on the best ways to contact them via their websites.

Business Rates Holiday

The GGF has written to Government to establish if construction companies in manufacturing / supply and/or installation can claim for the Business Rates Holiday. As soon as we receive a response from Government we will relay it to Members.

Citation Financial Advice Line

The GGF’s Business Support Partner Citation are available to help answer your questions and give you financial advice during these difficult times.

If you’re a Citation client and you’ve got questions about any of the financial measures listed above, you can call them on our advice line on 0345 844 4848.

If you’re not yet a client of Citation, you can give their team a call on 0345 844 1111 to chat through your business needs

Ongoing GGF Business Continuity Support

We understand that the fast-moving and ever-changing nature of the coronavirus measures are confusing and can cause Members a lot of worries. The Government has indicated that it will continue to roll out measures to support business and we will keep everyone updated as and when these developments are announced.

Please make sure you are receiving our daily e-alerts which will provide the latest information and Government advice for our sector.

If you are not receiving our daily emails please contact marketing@ggf.org.uk to be added to the distribution list.

Continuing to work – Government advice for the construction industry

Health, Safety and Environment, Politics | 24.03.20

The GGF has received the following message from Government (24 March 2020) regarding essential workers.

Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has issued the following direction since the Prime Minister’s broadcast last night:

“Advice for the housing, construction & building maintenance industries:

If you can work from home, do so.

If you are working on site, you can continue to do so. But follow guidance on social distancing.”

Government guidance on social distancing

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

The GGF will keep you update on any developments regarding the government direction on essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Please also to check the GGF website https://www.ggf.org.uk/covid-19/ for updates.

The GGF urges all Members to follow Government guidance to remain safe and well.

Homeworking Guide and Business Toolkit

Health, Safety and Environment, News, Politics | 23.03.20

The GGF’s partnership with Citation (the HR, health and safety and business support firm) is long standing and in the current COVID-19 crisis, our relationship is more important than ever for GGF Members.

As a GGF Member, you can benefit from Citation’s expertise and their free information and guidance may be useful for your business.

Please see below Citation’s:

Guide to Temporary Homeworking for Businesses
The Business Toolkit
Helpline to support your business during these unprecedented times.

COVID-19: a guide to temporary homeworking for businesses

The government published its coronavirus action plan on 3 March 2020. As part of its phased response, action would include encouraging more homeworking where it was practical and realistic.

To help businesses adapt, our partner, Citation, has put together this guide. It outlines the key points for implementing temporary homeworking and making it work for your business.

GET YOUR FREE HOMEWORKING GUIDE

The guide answers some of the most commonly asked questions, including:

I don’t know if home working is a reasonable consideration for my business – how do I decide?
Will employees be classed as ‘homeworkers’ during this period – will home become their usual place of work?
My employees haven’t worked from home before – what do I need to consider?
I’m providing additional equipment for homeworking – what if it’s stolen or damaged?
Are there any extra Health & Safety considerations for homeworking?

CITATION’S CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS TOOLKIT

With daily increases of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, Citation is also putting together a wider toolkit of essential resources that can help safeguard your business against COVID-19, including:

You can also get clued up on the latest changes by reading Citation’s news articles:

Citation’s guidance is updated daily, and you can visit citation.co.uk for all the latest information.

HELPINE: Got any questions about how you’ll be affected?

Please call 0345 844 1111 to speak to a friendly advisor, or leave your details and query here. (Please make it known that you are a Member of the GGF when you call).

The GGF’s will continue to send you Business Continuity Support emails throughout the COVID-19 crisis. If you have any feedback for the GGF on the current situation, feel free to email marketing@ggf.org.uk. In the meantime, please take the precautions outlined by the Government guidelines and stay safe and well.

GGF to lobby Government for more COVID-19 support

COVID 19, Health, Safety and Environment, News, Politics | 20.03.20

Over the next few weeks the GGF will campaigning on Members’ behalf your as they step up their engagement with Government on their support for businesses throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Government Lobbying

The GGF will be in direct communication with Government Ministers and Departments to campaign for change on the following issues:

More financial support for the glass and glazing sectors, at least equal to that given to the retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors.
A reduction in the rate of VAT from 20% to 5% on all energy efficient glass and glazing and on the installation of windows and doors.
In view of the potential lockdown and isolation, that installers and glaziers are included in the “essential workers” category, to access homes where energy efficient measures are paramount to making their homes healthy, safe and secure.
Requesting that the Government opens up more channels to ECO funding to ensure homes are made healthier (currently the only route is via TrustMark)
To grant GGF Emergency Glaziers the same status as all emergency services during any lockdown, curfew and/or isolation periods

The GGF will be using its political advisers and communication channels to ask for these changes to be made with immediate effect as companies UK-wide struggle to cope with the dramatically changing business environment.

The GGF has also set up a new COVID Business Continuity Support for Members which includes regular updates and new section in the Members area of the GGF website which will house all the relevant information and guidance as and when the GGF publishes/distributes it to Members.

To visit the GGF Business continuity Support section please click here https://www.ggf.org.uk/covid-19/

John Agnew takes up GGF Managing Director position

Membership News, News | 13.03.20

The GGF is pleased to announce that John Agnew has now taken up his appointment as GGF Managing Director from 1^st March 2020.

John started his employment with the GGF in January this year and for the first two months of this year working with Steve Rice, former Managing Director who retired on 28^th February.

During the handover period, John familiarised himself with the internal functions and processes of the GGF. On taking up his new role John commented:

“It’s a great honour to be the Managing Director of the GGF. I have been involved with the Federation as a Member for over thirty years and as such, I have a firm grasp of that side of the GGF, but the last two months was all about learning the internal operations of the GGF. I am now looking forward to managing the Federation to make it more efficient and effective for the benefit of all Members.”

GGF update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID 19, Health, Safety and Environment, News | 12.03.20

For many GGF Members, face-to-face meetings are an important part of interacting with the Federation and with each other, but we recognise that this might not always be feasible under the current circumstances as the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to spread in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The GGF has adequate facilities available for telephone conferencing and we are actively exploring the option for video conferencing.

GGF Staff shall continue to meet with Members in person where it is sensible to do so, taking account of the UK and Irish Governments’ guidelines. However, we ask that any potential visitors to our offices, that if you have come into contact anyone in the last 14 days who has contracted COVID-19 and even if you are showing no symptoms then please self-isolate for 14 days. If you are showing any symptoms please self-isolate for 7 days. These are the latest Government guidelines to delay the spread of this virus.

Please click on the link below to view the Government web page with the latest information on regarding self isolation. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The self-isolation guidance applies for all GGF meetings held either at the GGF Offices in London or another location other than the GGF Offices.

As this unfortunate situation evolves, Members should be aware that the Federation may have to postpone or cancel scheduled meetings and events.

We fully respect the seriousness of this situation and it is important that we take these proactive steps to minimise the spread of COVID-19 amongst both our Members and GGF Staff.

We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and will take the appropriate action as necessary and of course, keep you informed and updated on any changes in the circumstances.

GGF welcomes positive Budget in difficult times

News, Politics | 12.03.20

Following yesterday’s Spring Budget announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the GGF welcomed the commitment to invest in housing, fire safety and skills. However, the GGF was disappointed with the exclusion of measures to encourage consumers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. As expected the most prominent topic in the budget was the stimulus package to counteract the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), however, this Budget marks a significant shift in attitude to spending from the Government and represents the largest boost to public investment in several decades. This was underlined by the Office for Budget Responsibility, the independent body advising Government on economic forecasting, who suggested that today’s Budget is the sharpest increase in spending in almost three decades.

The Government is clearly high in confidence – having won a sizeable majority in December and securing the UK’s exit from the EU the following month – and the new Chancellor exuded this, hammering home the Prime Minister’s “getting it done” catchphrase at every opportunity. Mr Sunak’s bold announcements will set the stage for the next five years of government, and vast increases in spending across infrastructure, research development, healthcare and housing will be intended to stave off fears of an economic slowdown as Britain begins life outside the EU.

The Budget announcements relevant to the Glass and Glazing sector.

Coronavirus Support

Overall investment – ‘Temporary, Timely and Targeted’ measures to support the economy and public services to address the impact of coronavirus, with a total of £7bn of measures for business and an initial £5bn for the NHS
NHS Emergency Response fund – Initial £5bn investment in NHS services with additional funding if necessary (the Chancellor pledged that “whatever extra resources our NHS needs to respond to coronavirus, it will get”
Statutory Sick Pay – a COVID-19 Bill will temporarily allow Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to be paid from the first day of sickness absence, rather than the fourth day, for people who have COVID-19 or have to self-isolate, and SSP will cover individuals who are unable to work because they have been advised to self-isolate or are people caring for those with COVID-19 symptoms. People who are advised to self-isolate will be able to obtain sick note via NHS111 which they can use as evidence for absence from work
Benefits – Easier access to benefits from day one for all those not eligible for sick pay
ESA – Employment and Support Allowance will be payable for people directly affected by COVID-19 or self-isolating, rather than the eighth day
Universal Credit – Universal Credit claimants can access advance payments when affected by COVID-19 or self-isolating without having to attend a jobcentre and the requirements of the minimum income floor in Universal Credit will be temporarily
Hardship fund – £500m discretionary hardship fund for local authorities
SMEs – All businesses with less than 250 employees will have sick pay covered by the government, costing up to £2bn
Business interruption loan scheme – Loans for small business to cope with falls in demand, backed up by government guarantees to banks
Business rates – Business rates abolished for 1 year in the leisure and hospitality sector
Grant – £3,000 cash grant for small business
Research – £30m for the NIHR to enable further rapid research into COVD-19
Public Health – Additional £10m for DHSC to enable Public Health England to carry out diagnostic testing and surveillance

Infrastructure and Housing

House building – The Government will provide an extra £9.5 billion for the Affordable Homes Programme
Fire Safety – £20 million for Fire and Rescue Services to increase inspection and enforcement capability and build a strategic response to the Grenfell Public Inquiry’s findings.
Transport – An estimated £640 billion of gross capital investment will be provided for roads, railways, communications, schools, hospitals and power networks across the UK by 2025 – a real-terms uplift of £175 billion. Specific announcements included £27 billion for the strategic roads, a new £2.5 billion pothole fund to fill 50 million potholes by 2025, and the go-ahead for the A303 dual carriageway project
National Infrastructure Strategy – The Government will publish details of its strategy later this spring
National Skills Fund – The new adult skills improvement scheme will receive £2.5 billion in funding

Research & Development

R&D investment – Increase public R&D investment to £22 billion per year by 2024-25, taking public spending on R&D to 0.8% of GDP, much of which will go to universities across the country
ARPA – Establishing new R&D investment agency to focus on high-risk, high-reward research, modelled on the US ARPA
R&D tax credits – Increase the rate of R&D tax credits and consult on widening the definition of qualifying expenditure to include data and cloud computing

Local Government and Devolution

Devolution White Paper – the Government will outline further plans during the summer, setting out how it intends to meet its ambition for full devolution across England
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – Governments will receive a £640m, £260m and £210m respective budget increase

It was also announced that Government will establish a new campus in the north of England with 750 new jobs, focused on economic decision making, including teams from HM Treasury, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

On the Budget announcements, John Agnew GGF Managing Director commented, “We are pleased to see the Government’s significant commitment to investment in some of the most crucial areas of our industry. The support for those affected by the COVID-19 virus is essential but in the long term, the substantial investment for fire safety, housing and skills is most welcome.”

The only disappointing element in this budget for the glass and glazing industry was the absence of clear and long term incentive scheme to drive consumers to make their homes more energy-efficient.

John Agnew added, “The Government has signed up to zero carbon by 2050 and to achieve those targets there has to be strong consumer incentives for them to improve their homes by installing energy-efficient measures. The GGF will continue to work closely with Government department to highlight this issue.”

GGF launches new Consumer Conservatory Guide

News | 12.03.20

The GGF is pleased to announce the launch of a new publication for homeowners titled, “A Consumer Guide to Conservatories and Orangeries”.

The new Guide includes a background to the origins of conservatories as well as consumer advice on practical issues such as the best use of living space, foundations, materials selection and types of structures. In addition, there is also a list of general designs and styles of conservatories and orangeries and roof types.

On the new guide, Phil Goult, Chairman of the GGF Conservatory Association commented;

“I am positive this guide will prove extremely useful for homeowners. I would like to thank my fellow GGF Members in the Conservatory Association and the GGF technical team for producing this guide which is essential not just for consumers but for the entire conservatory sector.”

David Borland, GGF Senior Technical Officer collaborated with GGF Conservatory Association Members over a six month period to produce the publication. Following the launch, David commented;

“This has been a very interesting project as it has covered so many areas relating to the consumer’s journey to buy a conservatory or orangery. We had to consider many factors from designs to styles to materials on every part of the structure through to health and safety and legislation. The end result has seen yet another excellent GGF guide for consumers.”

The Consumer Guide to Conservatories and Orangeries is available for free download via the GGF’s award-winning consumer website www.myglazing.com and also on the GGF trade website www.ggf.org.uk Printed copies of the guide are also available from the GGF online shop http://shop.ggfmembers.com/

FIREX postponed due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID 19, Events, News | 12.03.20

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK, FIREX has been rescheduled from its original May date to 8–10 September 2020 at London ExCel. The GGF will still be exhibiting at the FIREX in September to highlight the importance of Fire Resistant Glazing to those responsible for fire safety in buildings.

FIREX attracts a diverse audience of thousands of architects, specifiers, building managers, designers, planners and emergency services as well as representatives from central and local government. This rescheduling covers the following events:

FIREX International
IFSEC International
Safety & Health Expo
Facilities Show
Intelligent Building Europe
Workplace Wellbeing Show
Counter Terror Expo, Ambition, Forensics Expo Europe, and World Counter Terror Congress (organised by Clarion)

Official Organisers Statement

The organisers of the shows issued the following statement. This decision has been made as a result of consultation with exhibitors and other stakeholders to determine the best outcome for all. We believe strongly that this new date benefits all our events and provides the best possible platform for both exhibitors and visitors to do business. All exhibition bookings and visitor pre-registration for these events will be transferred automatically to the new dates and there will be further communication to these groups over the coming days and weeks. Our aim is to facilitate a smooth transition to the new dates for all parties.

Chris Edwards, Group Director, Informa Markets said: “We have been closely following developments since COVID–19 began spreading, and we have consistently been mindful of its potential impact on global events like ours. By working closely with our venue partners ExCeL we have now been able to secure rescheduled dates for these events, which will now serve as an opportunity for our clients and exhibitors to regather in September —it gives the market time to recover as demand catches up.”

Gerry Dunphy, Strategy Director of FIREX International and IFSEC International said: “In order to provide some much-needed clarity in this uncertain time, our events teams will be contacting exhibitors and partners to discuss the rescheduled dates, answer any enquiries, and to ensure we can deliver the same event experience as originally planned. However, a series of events of this scale requires careful planning and organisation, so we ask for understanding in advance for any disruption this change may cause.”

Fensterbau Frontale rescheduled for June 2020

Events, News | 12.03.20

NurnbergMesse the organisers of FENSTERBAU FRONTALE, has announced that it has rescheduled the trade show for Tuesday, 16 June until Friday, 19 June 2020 in Nuremberg.

The new date comes after the exhibition organisers’ earlier announcement on 27^th February to postpone FENSTERBAU FRONTALE (which had originally been scheduled for March 18-21) due to the outbreak in Europe of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The GGF still plans to host the UK Pavilion in Hall 4A-Stand #305 at the show in June. In addition to the announcement of the new date, it has also been announced that FENSTERBAU FRONTALE and HOLZ-HANDWERK 2022 will take place in March 2022.

Official Statement from the organisers:

The protection of the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors and employees is a top priority for NürnbergMesse. In awareness of this responsibility and after careful consideration and evaluation of the current situation, the Management Board of NürnbergMesse has decided on this necessary protective measure.

We would like to thank you expressly for your understanding regarding our decision to postpone FENSTERBAU FRONTALE and HOLZ-HANDWERK 2020. After intensive deliberation and numerous positive discussions with national and international customers, we have chosen the above-mentioned date. Our common goal must be to achieve two successful trade fairs in June with as many visitors as possible.

We will contact all visitors and exhibitors with further information – in the meantime, your feedback is also welcome and valuable. These are eventful times for all of us. NürnbergMesse will be there for you with the aim to offer you, as usual, excellent customer service.

Business guidance for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID 19, Health, Safety and Environment, News | 12.03.20

As news of more cases of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading in the UK, the GGF offers the following guidance to GGF Member companies.

If your company is not already doing so, it is suggested that you:

Review your business continuity plans and how they may need to be adapted to the current circumstances and developments around the COVID-19 outbreak

Conduct risk assessments for each function within your business and how your company can continue to function in the current circumstances and developments around the COVID-19 outbreak

Stay informed by reading the Government web pages for the latest information for businesses and employers. Please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-covid-19

Visit the NHS website for general information and updates on COVID-19 please https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Job Vacancy: GGF Health, Safety and Environment Manager

Health, Safety and Environment, News | 03.03.20

Health, Safety and Environment Manager

Glass and Glazing Federation

Full time – permanent

London, SE1

Competitive salary + benefits

Some UK travel

Application deadline: 13^th March 2020.

The Glass and Glazing Federation is the industry’s leading trade body for companies that make, supply or fit glass and glazing products.

We are currently looking for a qualified Health, Safety and Environment Manager to provide expert advice and guidance to the Federation’s membership and employees.

As an experienced Health, Safety and Environment Manager, your role will be to promote excellent standards and implement a long term programme that will deliver continuous improvement of health, safety and environmental management to our membership and staff.

Reporting to the Managing Director, your key responsibilities will include:

Ensuring our members have access to the most current, accurate and relevant health and safety and environment information.
Working with the HSE and other government and industry agencies to ensure the prevailing interests of our members is considered.
Promoting the benefits of upcycling of glass and recycling of glazing components to the membership and the industry in general.
Lead on creating a culture of health and safety, underpinned by best practice.

The ideal candidate would be;

NEBOSH qualified
IOSH qualified
Proactive and customer focused
Experience in similar role
IT literate
Able to demonstrate relevant knowledge and experience from the glass & glazing, manufacturing and construction sector.

For a full job description and to apply contact humanresources@ggf.org.uk

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Job Vacancy: GGF Health, Safety and Environment Manager

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