Between a rock and a hard place:

Main contractors find themselves in a tight spot. On the one hand many have won projects by putting in rock- bottom bids. Or they have taken on over-optimistic projects. On the other hand, their reducing margins have been transferred down the supply chain resulting in sub -contractors being less inclined to tender which has the reciprocal effect of reducing competition and so forcing up the price of both site labour supply and materials for the main contractor.

The dual pressure of maintaining profitability and managing ever tighter working capital requirements means that the main contractors are having to get ever more creative. This generally results in the main contractor placing downward pressure on their supply chain. If managed well with robust sub- contractors this policy can pay dividends. However, it can also spell financial disaster for both parties. By passing their working capital and margin strain on to a more vulnerable third party they are exposing themselves to factors outside their control.

The supply chain is delicate and is often being broken by the reliance on major suppliers who are often less able to withstand the working capital pressures which are loaded onto them by the main contractors further up the supply chain. Delays and penalties for delays under the contracts result in the application of liquidated damages clauses by employers and turn contracts into loss making projects, to the detriment of all businesses in the chain.

Don’t expect things to get better any time soon:

Greater problems are on the horizon as the problems in the industry are actually structural rather than cyclical. Over the last few years the man contractors have been quietly losing money and the upturn has exposed the fact that they now have low cash reserves and little ability to ride out the awkward and unprofitable jobs they find themselves saddled with.

Big contractors can no longer operate on 2% margins by front loading payments from their clients then hanging on to the money as long as possible before paying it out to their subcontractors. There’s a dawning realization that a new business model is required – one that works around more sustainable margins of 4% or 5% and where the profit doesn’t come from delaying payments.

UK Construction Agencies:

Late payments have long been a contentious issue for the construction industry. The National Specialist Contractors Council, the main trade body representing the UK’s subcontractors, has been lobbying long and hard, through its Fair Payment Campaign, to put pressure on main contractors to speed up the process. But these efforts have stubbornly been resisted by the main contractors and their own trade body who represent their interests – the UK Contractors Group- who are equally committed to protecting their own cash-flow.

Even the recent merger between both groups doesn’t necessarily mean an imminent change to things. Previous efforts by the two organizations at joining together and speaking with a single voice for the whole industry and presenting a united front to the government have always foundered on the divisive issue of payment – meaning a satisfactory resolution may still be a way off.

What’s a Smart Sub-Contractor to do then?

What does this mean for sub-contractors? Well, things could get become increasingly difficult. In the short term the current wave of projects need to run their course to completion and there’s every likelihood that the main contractors will do their utmost to pass their pain on to the first tier companies.

However, the frequency of early payment requests or part payments to the procurement managers of the large main contractors is increasing with decisions who gets paid and who doesn’t being based on the financial strength of the sub -contractor and how vital the project is. In short – assumption and selfish need which is a dangerous mix and we may see a string of big corporate failures on the back of this approach which will obviously send shock waves through the industry.

But it also presents an opportunity to switched on sub-contractors. It is a good time to put measures in place to head off potential cash-flow shortages which will give those prepared sub-contractors the ability to service a growth in projects, react quickly to new opportunities all the while absorbing the payment terms of the main contractor which will undoubtedly heighten their reputation and cement relationships.

After all, who will get the new opportunities moving forward; the firm who is always asking for payment early and struggles to deliver site labour supply. Or the firm who doesn’t create any waves, delivers without issue and is always able to take the work given to them.

Managing Growth Safely and Securely:

It has become ever more important for all contractors in the chain to manage their cash-flow or to look for working capital support. However traditionally the sector has been seen as high risk for bank lending with fully secured overdrafts the preferred mechanism to fund working capital. However, these are usually insufficient in size and jeopardize the directors, shareholders and potentially their families by extension due to the tangible security taken typically being the residential home.

A more efficient way to fund growth is to make the business work for itself and unlock the value of the work already done ahead of payments being made. Applications whether uncertified or certified have a value and the value of this can be unlocked to fund against. It is a specialized type of lending and there is only a handful of lenders who would consider such facilities but where a firm qualifies the benefits are potentially significantly more cash being made available when compared to overdrafts with significantly less security having to be offered by the owner of the business.

Insurance Policies:

Equally important however is the need to undertake a full due diligence on both suppliers but also debtors with consideration given to whether specialist credit insurance policies that also covers retentions and has 6 months bound contract cover (which is key for any sub-contractor) is required to protect against their debtor failure as the knock-on effect down the supply chain and site labour supply of a debtor failure can result in a domino effect of insolvencies.

The smart firm knows this. By securing their funding base, tightening checks on suppliers and debtors and insuring the money owed to them growth, however rapid, can be managed safely and with confidence.

Businesses within the construction sector are continuously facing a number of unique challenges. Challenges that include the rising costs of raw materials, extended payment terms and ever increasing legislation.

Growth in Construction Projects UK:

Coupled with this, traditional banks are becoming more reluctant to provide sufficient working capital to businesses within the sector. With the growth in construction projects and site labour supply though, securing appropriate levels of funding are critical to a business’ ability to take advantage of such opportunities.

At Oakmead Finance, our dedicated construction finance team have valuable experience providing working capital facilities to the construction industry.

By working with specialist lenders, who are backed by quantity surveying and contract law teams, and by arranging to fund against applications for payment, stage invoices, and project milestones, we have gained an established track record of providing tailored facilities to sub-contractors.

With the outbreak of this pandemic, a lot of nurse vacancies are yet to be filled, and it shouldn’t take Covid-19 as an excuse to ignore almost 40,000 nurse vacancies in England. To combat Covid-19, healthcare recruitment agencies in Reading ensure providing the vital staff to the healthcare and social sectors to fill the vacancies.

However, it should focus on the mistakes made during the first wave to make sure it won’t repeat in the second wave. Starting from the procurement and supply, it’s vital to find out where the problems were through quality physical resources appointed by healthcare recruitment agencies Reading. Public Accounts Committee published a report on NHS Capital Expenditure and Financial Management comprises a group of cross-party MPS.

In the report, a series of recommendations were made for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) regarding action on PPE and shortage of workforce. The role of health recruitment agencies is crucial here. The committee said that “it was concerned over the lack of PPE supplies for healthcare staff amid the first wave of Covid-19. Even, it was not dealt with sufficient urgency; however, the department needs to clearly understand what is needed and how to distribute it.” That is why; the need of healthcare recruitment agencies comes in frame.

Engaging Healthcare recruitment agency Reading

For that reason, the committee of healthcare recruitment agency Reading wants a detailed plan provided by DHSC to clarify its governance arrangements that how the PPE will be supplied and easily accessed by the NHS and healthcare sectors in the future. The committee expects DHSC to provide this detailed plan within two months. The concern on “Staff shortage” in the NHS was also raised in the report and warned that Covid-19 shouldn’t be used as an excuse to cover the serious issues like shortage of workforce.

It is noted that there was a lack of long-term investment in people and training which result in workforce shortage and the fact that NHS England has yet to publish a plan that is further delayed by Covid-19. Bearing the current situation of staff shortage in the country, nursing recruitment has become more vital than before. To fill the vacancies with the skilled staff, Howard Finley has been on the frontline providing the expert hands to the clients.

Besides, healthcare recruitment agencies in reading need to step forward and work together to deal with the crisis effectively. In the report, it is recommended that NHS England and NHS Improvement should work with HEE to evaluate how to improve workforce planning including the integration of training and education funding models to overcome the persistent challenges. Recently, HEE has also announced plans to start an online nurse degree in January 2021.

In response to the report, the spokesperson of DHSC said that the government has rejected the claim made by the committee. “We have been working around to deliver the PPE throughout this pandemic, working with industry, NHS, and armed forces to create a distribution network. 

This idea was mentioned back in 2019 during the NHS long term plan and further plan laid out a few months later in June. Online Nurse Degrees – When it comes to universities, Health Education has claimed the confirmation of seven universities to provide courses for this blended learning nursing program.

The very first session will start in January 2021. Keeping in mind the current situation of the country where Covid-19 has affected every corner of the healthcare sector, the need for expert and skilled nurses is much more than before. In such a worse situation, healthcare recruitment agencies in Reading ensure providing the vital staff to the public and private health care sectors. HEE believes that this online nursing degree will be beneficial for nursing students in accessing the latest technologies and help them to meet the requirements of digital capabilities.

Moreover, the barriers to studying nursing will be removed as some of the people face this issue. Participation in nursing will be increased by enabling people to learn on their own terms. According to the director of innovation and transformation for HEE, Patrick Mitchell said, “This program shows a way to the future of educating and training our workforce by utilizing the existing and emerging latest learning technologies.

Online Nurse Degrees – It refers to the fact that how HEE is working with Higher Education Institutions to change the trend in nurse education in England.” He further claimed that motivation for blended nursing learning degrees has triggered by the emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Being a leading healthcare recruitment agency in Reading, Howard Finely has remained dedicated and consistent since the outbreak of this pandemic.

Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary said, “This new degree program will help the government to deliver on its commitment by enabling the people to get trained with innovative and accessible ways. It will open the doors for a wide range of applicants by providing more flexible learning options. “

It is voted down by the 331 Conservative MPs. As the motion got rejected, the government promised to introduce “regular surveillance testing of staff” but didn’t provide further details that how this would work. As the hundreds of staff workers have died due to Covid-19, nursing recruitment has become more important than before filling up the vacancies to combat this pandemic.

As the second wave is expected to hit the country, nursing agency needs tireless efforts from healthcare recruitment agencies UK. Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Health Secretary said, “We accept and understand the fact that the ministers have made mistakes since the outbreak of this unusual pandemic.

Throughout the crisis healthcare recruitment agencies reading, Ministers have been slow and the response was disorganized. Despite all of this, Ministers can learn from their mistakes, putting a mass testing program in place and starting from NHS staff at first as it’s vital for our National Health Service” According to the spokesperson for the Department of Social and Health Care, “We would continue ensuring that NHS staff has everything they need to provide high-quality care to the public sector as we have already done this throughout the Covid-19 crisis.” In such tough times, healthcare recruitment agencies Reading such as Howard Finley ensures providing the vital staff.

Undoubtedly, testing for the health and social care workers even if they don’t have symptoms should be the priority.

For that reason, construction recruitment agencies UK need to step forward and play their vital roles, and Howard Finley has been doing this for many years. Local authorities will only have 14 days to get registered on extended working hour’s application as soon as the business and planning bill passed on June 29.

If the application gets approved, those sites with temporary consent can have more flexible working hours until April of next year. Councils have no authority of refusing applications as directed and being told they should not refuse the applications of extended hours to 9 PM without having proper reasons.

Moreover, Demolition Labour Supply, if the local authority fails to respond within 14 days then the construction under flexible working hours will automatically begin. In case of an application for flexible working hours gets refused, developers have the authority to appeal the decision and reapply if necessary to discuss the further options for flexible working hours.

In such tough times where construction agencies the UK thrives for survival, Howard Finley remains upfront providing the vital and demolition labour supply to them. New guidance published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that states, “Local planning authorities cannot decline the application of flexible working hours without compelling reasons where it will be extended to 9 PM from Monday to Saturday.”

This increase proves the worth of nursing staff as a life-changing career. Undoubtedly, it’s not possible without the restless efforts of healthcare recruitment such as healthcare recruitment agencies London that remain on the frontline to provide the vital nursing staff. Being the top-ranked healthcare recruitment agency Reading, Howard Finely Care ensures providing the qualified nurses to the healthcare sector.

According to the data from the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS), 45,430 applicants have applied to a nursing degree by January this year, a rise of 6% as compared to 43,630 applicants in 2019. However, due to the outbreak of Covid-19 where the government is expecting a risky second wave, many nursing courses are not fully accessible by the students. The applications are still being accepted for round about 40% of adult nursing and social work courses in the 2020 cycle that will start from September or October.

The statistics issued by the UCAS show the demographics of people interested in a nursing degree. The last year’s analysis shows the black ethnic group (20%) as the major applicants of nursing. Men applying for nursing has increased up to 8.5% in 2019 when compared with the previous years.

Health and social care secretary said that “Covid-19 has reinforced the fact that nursing is a life-changing career, and it is excellent to see people applying for nursing irrespective of their background differences.” He further urged everyone to consider a nursing career and get started this year.

Being situated in Reading, Howard Finley has been providing nursing recruitment for many years. In such a worse situation, healthcare recruitment agencies in Reading remained upfront when it comes to nursing agency supply. The increase of 8% of applicants in nursing can yield positive outcomes for the country however, the courses are yet to be fully available as soon as the Covid-19 peak diminishes.

It is believed that the inadequacy of the PPE has led to the tragic events of healthcare workers’ deaths across the country. At the times of the Covid-19 peak, the lack of protective equipment has affected the nurses and healthcare staff. In such a worse situation, nursing recruitment has remained a vital task for recruitment agencies. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the healthcare staff has fallen sick leaving the vacancies to be filled. To make it possible, Howard Finley has remained a leading healthcare recruitment agency in Reading by providing the skilled staff to combat this pandemic.

The Doctor’s Association (DAUK) is calling an inquiry with the purpose to call a judiciary review as the lack of personal protective equipment has contributed to the deaths of healthcare and social workers across the country. According to some figures, almost 300 healthcare and social workers have died so far and these numbers are nearest to the deaths of healthcare staff in Italy.

According to the Chair of DAUK, “This is a nonsense behavior from the government as they believe it (public inquiry) will cause a distraction for the officials. The government should not bury its head in the sand believing that the learning will not come from the public inquiry. Now it is a time to hold an inquiry regarding the provision of PPE to the healthcare staff because the second wave might be coming soon.”

He further said, “There has been an inadequate PPE supply and our standards have not met the guidelines of WHO and European CDC Guideline. It’s almost impossible for the NHS and healthcare sector to face the second wave without learning mistakes from the first one.”

Without an inquiry is done on the lack of PPE, nursing recruitment the nursing agency may have to face more tragic events in the upcoming second wave. In response to the inquiry, a spokesperson of government said, “The death of the healthcare workers across the country is a tragedy and we fully recognize the bravery of nurses, doctors and healthcare workers in such difficult times. However, it’s the right time only to keep the focus on improving the current situation rather than reflecting to learn which we will do in the future.”

People with diabetes type 1 are three to four times more at risk. However, people having diabetes type 2 are at twice the risk than those without diabetes. Diabetic patients need to manage such conditions properly. NHS ensures helping the people to manage the diabetes level using the introduced apps.

Since people with type 1 are at more exposure to risk, two apps (Digibete and MyType1Diabetes) are being introduced for this condition, and one app for diabetes type 2 that will be available later. According to the NHS, “having the proper ways of managing diabetes could yield better outcomes.”

It will be worrying for people knowing that they are at more risk of dying if they get infected with Covid-19. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression as well. With the help of diabetes management apps, NHS has made sure to help the people in such a worse situation. People can get appointments and seek medical assistance using video or telephone.

According to the national specialty advisor on diabetes for NHS, “Access to the trusted information is vital in helping the people to manage their diabetes. NHS empowers the people to look after their own health and reduce the risk.” With the advancement in technology, the healthcare department in the UK has carried out useful initiatives to save the lives of people. People can maintain healthy lifestyles by managing diabetes using such apps.