UK News

UK: The government has opened a consultation on its plans to merge construction and engineering boards to simplify the skills system and strengthen industry leadership.

UK: The Cold Chain Federation has launched the UK’s first transport refrigeration unit census to evidence sector progress on decarbonisation.

UK: British businesses are advised to engage proactively with suppliers and stay informed of availability in the face of rising refrigerant price rises and supply issues.

UK: Bookings are now being taken for the Institute of Refrigeration Scottish Dinner 2026, which returns to the Crowne Plaza Glasgow on Thursday 5 November.

UK: Eco-tech company Hive has announced a new partnership with Daikin through its Works With Hive programme, significantly expanding smart control compatibility with air-source heat pumps.

UK: Carrier has made a strategic investment in Heat Geek, the UK-based technology platform and network of heat pump engineers.

UK: The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has appointed Jen Vickers of Crown House Technologies as its new president.

UK: British Gas has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for using unsubstantiated energy-saving heat pump claims in an advert.

UK: With entries open for this year’s WorldSkills, the Building Engineering Services Association claims this year’s competition will be more important than ever in attracting young talent to the industry.

UK: Carrier is to continue its sponsorship of Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport for the 2026 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.

UK: Latest government figures show that the 3,264 applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in January was down 11% on January 2025.

UK: MPs have launched an inquiry into the environmental impacts of data centres in the UK, with energy secretary Ed Miliband claiming that their future energy demand “remains inherently uncertain”.

UK: Glasgow-based refrigeration supplier Foodservice Equipment Marketing is to offer Gram Professional in the UK.

UK: The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has called for renewed vigilance after last week’s police swoop on a suspected fraudulent construction skills test centre.

UK: In preparation for its redeveloped installer scheme, the MCS is promising to make certification simpler and more rewarding for installers, while reforming consumer protection in the industry. 

UK: Andrew Channon of Plymouth-based ChanniCool Training Services, and Richard Lawton of Cambridge Refrigeration Technology have been recognised as fellows of the Institute of Refrigeration.

UK: The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) is to launch of a new collaborative forum to ensure training provision is aligned with real industry needs.

UK: Judith Evans of Refrigeration Developments and Testing and London South Bank University has been recognised for her contributions to the industry with the J&E Hall International Gold Medal.

UK: Heat pump sales in the UK reached another record high of 125,037 units in 2025, a 27% increase on 2024.

UK: Employers have reported that, while demand for HVACR engineers will increase over the next few years, recruitment of technically competent individuals has become more difficult.

UK: Nordic Climate Group has appointed Ronnie Coutts as UK CEO, following the Swedish HVAC contractors’ acquisitions of MC Refrigeration, CSD Air Conditioning, Cactus Mechanical, Westcold Refrigeration and Aircon Maintenance.