Kier and Wates among winners on £346m framework

Kier, Wates and Morgan Sindall’s housing arm Lovell have been named alongside dozens of SMEs on a £346m building-improvements framework.

The four-year Fusion21 framework can be used by public sector organisations including housing, education and healthcare providers across the country.

Works that can be procured include the installation of kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors, as well as roofing work.

There are nine lots in total, with four new lots for the current iteration. These cover damp and mould, external environmental improvements like fencing, driveways, walls, hard and soft landscaping, insulation, and aids and adaptations.

Tackling damp and mould in homes has risen up the political and business agenda since the death in December 2020 of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who developed breathing problems after exposure to mould in his flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Fusion21 executive director of operations Peter Francis said: “In response to member and supply-chain feedback and in line with the proposed updates to the Decent Homes Standard, the renewed framework now covers even more aspects of building improvement.”

He added: “In addition to working with a team of technical procurement experts, Fusion21 members accessing this offer will benefit from a compliant and efficient route to market, flexible call-off options and geographical coverage across the UK, down to a regional and local level.”

The framework runs for four years.

Some 74 per cent of the companies named on it are SMEs, according to Fusion21.