PHAM NEWS | MARCH 2025 4 News Review


Trades unite in London rally against tool thefts


Federation raises heat pump sales concerns


SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, has warned that funding delays and high electricity costs are stalling Scotland’s decarbonisation progress. Fewer than 9,000 heat pumps


Hundreds of tradespeople converged on Westminster for the second Trades United Anti-Tool Theft Rally in February, demanding stronger action against the rising epidemic of tool theft in the UK. The demonstration, which saw nearly 300 vans participate in a ‘go-slow’ convoy led by an armoured tank, aimed to raise awareness about the devastating impact of tool theft on the trades industry. The rally, organised by Trades


United founder and gas engineer Shoaib Awan, began at Brent Cross before heading to Parliament Square, where participants circled the area for several hours. Vans were adorned with slogans such as ‘Hands off our van’ and ‘Tool theft is job theft’, while drivers sounded their horns to support the cause. Trades United is calling for


stricter enforcement of existing laws, increased funding for law enforcement to tackle the issue, and for tool theft to be considered an aggravated offense. The organisation also demands a £10,000 fine for event organisers of car boot sales and markets that permit the resale of stolen tools. The demonstration attracted


support from several MPs, including Matt Vickers, Shadow Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, who emphasised the need for


Plumbing skills event now open to entries


The UK’s talented student plumbers are being encouraged to enter this year’s SkillPLUMB competition, with the registration window open until 28th March. During the


competition,


entrants will be judged on a series of challenging practical tests in a bid to be named the 2025 SkillPLUMB champion. The event is aligned to the WorldSkills network, so competitors who


do well at the national level may have the opportunity to compete internationally at the next WorldSkills event, set to take place in Aichi, Japan, in 2028.


All those who register will take part in an initial practical task carried out at the competitor’s college or training provider. This work will be tutor-assessed and


harsher punishments for thieves and a better understanding of the consequences of tool theft. Amanda Martin MP was also


present on the day to show support. She has tabled the Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing) Bill, which proposes recognising tool theft as causing ‘significant additional harm’ to victims. Campaigners hope this will finally see stronger sentencing guidelines. There is also support across


the plumbing industry, with manufacturers lending their support to the rally’s cause. Adrian Coleman, senior regional service manager at Mira Showers, says he knows of multiple incidents of break-ins and theft every year. “We have more than 50 service


engineers around the country all at risk from tool theft, and we see multiple incidents every year of break-ins and theft,” says Adrian Coleman. “In the darker, winter months – there is an uplift in these crimes, which we know can be debilitating to a business – both financially, and emotionally, especially in this economic climate. At Mira Showers, we’re really passionate about putting a stop to this issue as we know the damage it can cause to the livelihoods of the trade. Without their tools, tradespeople cannot work.”


have been installed in Scotland since 2019, significantly lagging behind government targets for decarbonisation. The Federation has highlighted these figures, drawn from the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme and the Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme, as evidence of a stalled transition to clean heating solutions. “While it is encouraging to see


growing numbers of homeowners and landlords making the switch to clean heating solutions,” says chief executive Fiona Hodgson, “the


Scottish government’s ambition of over one million homes converted to low or zero-emission heat by 2030 is simply not achievable under current conditions. The data highlights the urgent need for clearer policy direction, greater financial certainty and stronger industry support.” However, the Federation has


warned that ambitious targets alone are not enough. “Heat pump adoption cannot be driven by wishful thinking,” adds Hodgson. “The Climate Change Committee and successive Westminster and devolved governments keep setting ambitious targets while


ignoring the fundamental issue: there simply are not enough trained professionals to install them. All governments need to stop offloading responsibility onto businesses and take action to ensure we have the people to deliver this transition.” The Federation has also raised


serious concerns over the Home Energy Scotland scheme’s payment structure, which places a heavy financial burden on installers. Many must absorb substantial upfront costs, leading to cash- flow pressures and administrative challenges that threaten business sustainability.


Assessor scheme to address skills shortage


The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has launched a new programme to tackle a shortage of trainers and assessors which it says threatens to “leave the building services industry on its knees”.


Following a detailed study of


the sector’s skills requirements, the Association believes the “critically low” number of trainers and assessors is undermining the industry’s whole further education process. It said that failing to address this issue would leave the industry unable to plug skills gaps and meet demand for its services by the end of this decade. It is hoped that the ‘BESA Skills


Legacy’ programmewill encourage the enlistment of experienced members of the industry who can


give colleges and other education providers greater reassurance that building engineering training courses would be supported so they could invest in the necessary resources. “Our workforce is ageing and is


already under intense pressure,” says BESA’s head of skills and policy Stuart Rattray. “The average age across construction-related sectors is 53, so without a dramatic increase in numbers of young people coming in, a labour force crunch is looming. “However, simply improving


help education providers deliver the courses needed to increase the number of qualified people entering the sector. BESA said the scheme could


then the scores and evidence will be moderated by SkillPLUMB and WorldSkills UK. Those who are successful will be invited to one of the UK-wide qualifying heats taking place across May and June. The top scoring students from all


qualifying heats combined will be invited to compete in the UK grand final which this year will be taking place in South Wales along with around 50 other WorldSkills UK national competitions.


Designed to promote and showcase high standards and skills across the plumbing industry, SkillPLUMB is open to apprentices and Level 2 or 3 plumbing students and is organised by the BPEC Charity with Ideal Heating as its headline sponsor. “We are proud to organise SkillPLUMB and are committed


recruitment will not address the fundamental problems we face. Unless we address the shortage of trainers and assessors who can deliver programmes, the industry will be unable to meet demand within a few short years.”


to supporting the regional, national, and international plumbing skills competitions as a means of showcasing the best in apprenticeship training,” says Neil Collishaw, BPEC chief executive. “Each year the quality


demonstrated by our industry’s student plumbers is astounding; we look forward to the excellent standards we’ll be witnessing from competitors again this year.”


Further details The BPEC website has more information on the competition and also provides access to an in-house training task designed to help prepare competitors. To find out more visit www.bpec.


org.uk/skillplumb or use the online reader link below: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/325/06


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