SPONSORED EDITORIAL industry solutions


2 BIGGER AND BETTER CATALOGUE IS NOW PACKED WITH 30,000 PRODUCTS


CEF, the UK’s leading electrical wholesaler, is celebrating the launch of its new trade catalogue. Produced three times a year, the latest edition is the biggest yet at 1,764 pages.


It’s packed with almost 30,000 products from exclusive in-house and leading brand suppliers. More than 1,000 new


products have been added, including a number of 18th Edition compliant surge protection products and RCDs. In addition, the new


catalogue highlights CEF’s lowest priced everyday trade essentials in a handy insert and features a full range of cable and cable accessories, switchgear and distribution products, an extensive assortment of lighting and wiring accessories, hand tools


Consultation on retention


payments in the construction industry: The responses. By Gavin T omson


Partner, MacRoberts LLP


and industrial controls. “We’re thrilled to launch our largest catalogue to date” stated Andrew Moseley, CEF’s Commercial Director. To fi nd out more about CEF,


or to order your FREE copy of the catalogue call in to any of CEF’s 391 stores nationwide or got to cef.co.uk


4 SNICKERS LITEWORK IS THE COOL AND COMFORTABLE CHOICE FOR SUMMER


A change of season means a change of focus on what you wear on site. Snickers new LITEWork clothing can help you keep your cool while working in warm and humid environments. T e ergonomic, body-mapping trousers, shirts, shorts, mid-layer jackets and windproofers have all the comfort and functionality of other Snickers Workwear stretch garments but give extra freedom of movement. Just like high performance sportswear, they are super-light, quick- drying garments – with ventilation and moisture transport features – that keep you looking smart and feeling cool wherever you are on site in warm weather. To get the right protection, fl exibility,


durability and ventilation, check out S nickers Workwear. Call 01484 854 788, go to www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk


David Hughes: 0131 561 0022 davidh@connectcommunications.co.uk


T e use of retentions in the construction industry has long been a source of contention. Traditionally retention payments were seen as means of providing security for defective work or the insolvency of sub- contractors. However, the industry’s approach to retention has contributed to late payment and, often, non-payment. Carillion’s collapse and the


government’s commitment to tackling payment issues led the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial to introduce a consultation on retention payments in the construction industry. It closed in January 2018, and a summary of the responses has now been published. T e consultation sought to


review the eff ectiveness of existing measures for recovery of retention, the number of unjustifi ed late and non-payment of retention monies, and the eff ectiveness of alternative mechanisms. T e summary highlights


that more than 80% of respondents believed the existing measures for prompt and fair payment of retentions were ineff ective. In terms of non-payment, it was noted that a majority of respondents believed the insolvency of


upstream contractors was a signifi cant issue. While the current mechanism protects upstream contractors from sub-contractor insolvency, the same isn’t true in reverse. T e consultation explored


alternatives to retention, including using third party deposit schemes. T e majority of respondents agreed such a scheme would off er greater security and lead to greater transparency but it was also noted that deposit schemes could be overly complex and potentially a big admin burden. T e possibility of banning retention


payments was proposed by


many. However, others noted that projects are rarely defect


free and without retention payments it would be harder to get contractors back to rectify defects. In terms of next steps, the


summary is fairly vague, noting the government’s intention to work with the construction industry on resolving the problems, with several options under consideration. However, what those are, and when we are likely to see policy brought forward is diffi cult to predict. Given current aff airs, it may be some time yet. ●To fi nd out more, email gavin.thomson@macroberts. com or call 0131 248 2162.


CABLEtalk APRIL/MAY 2020 41


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