The Construction Centre: latest news

Ecobuild 2010 is hailed a roaring success

The show, which has grown exponentially since its beginning, saw thousands of construction professionals through its doors last week.

With a newly extended section on the second floor, there was a wealth of companies showing innovative products as well as market leaders proving their green credentials. The Construction Centre was also exhibiting and was delighted with the popularity of the event as well as an incredibly busy stand. ...

Construction industry recovery hampered by bad weather

Bad weather in December forced construction project starts to be postponed, with snow forcing further delays and making for a difficult start to 2010.

The Glenigan Index recorded a nine per cent year on year decline in December, making it the poorest month for construction project starts in recent years. ...

Growth in online business set to continue

More companies are increasing their online presence and finding it helps to cut running costs, new surveys have revealed.

Small and medium enterprises in particular have found the internet the most efficient use of marketing budgets, according to the Kleinwort Benson UK Entrepreneurs Survey 2009. Of 100 respondents, 76 per cent said they intended to increase the use of e-marketing in 2010 and 53 per cent said an online presence was critical. Some companies were surprised by the results and felt more would soon realise the importance of an online presence....

Government Funding Stabilises Construction Industry

Scotland and Northern Ireland boosted by public sector building and civil engineering projects and strong upturn in social housing, health and community & amenity project.

A rise in Government-funded construction work and a surge in utilities projects are helping to stabilise the flow of construction projects starting on site. After sharp falls during the first half of 2009, the Glenigan Index for August recorded a 9 per cent year-on-year decline in the value of project starts. The year-on-year decline for March to May was 30 per cent. Looking ahead, whilst private sector weakness is expected to impact project starts during the remainder of 2009, the flow of new......

Housing Planning Applications Stablilise

459 applications submitted in July 2009 compared to 1402 in July 2007

Planning applications by housebuilders for new developments have stabilised in recent months, albeit at a low level, according to the latest data released by Glenigan. An estimated 459 planning applications for new private housing schemes were submitted during July. The average number of planning applications fell from 1291 in 2007 to 902 in 2008, to 494 for January to July 2009. The numbers of applications submitted in each month of 2009 were:...

2010 to bring recovery for Construction Industry

Builders Merchants, Travis Perkins predicted the industry’s recovery is not likely to occur until 2010, causing further adjustments to be made to company structures.

Reports issued last week from major construction retailers Wolseley and Travis Perkins predicted that the construction industry will not experience a full recovery until mid 2010....

The Construction Centre Comments on Kickstart Programme

Kickstart programme set to boost affordable and social housing building schemes

This week brought the commencement of the Kickstart programme, part of the PM’s Housing Pledge, announced in this year’s Budget. The investment of £925million is set to increase the number of active public housing projects across the UK. The budget has been allocated to various regions but the majority of the loan has been designated to London and the North West....

Internet Advertising to exceed Magazine Advertising

Internet advertising spend is to overtake magazine advertising

The Construction Centre.co.uk today supported the research by ZenithOptimedia that internet advertising spend would overtake magazine advertising for the first time this year....

The Construction Centre to Exhibit at Ecobuild

The Construction Centre is set to exhibit in 2010 at the UK’s largest sustainable building products show; Ecobuild.

The exhibition is hela at Earls Court in London and the show is likely to attract record numbers next year, with over 800 exhibitors and typically boasts a string of high profile guest speakers. ...

Alastair Campbell at Ecobuild

Alastair Campbell, New Labour's Director of Communications and Strategy until 2003, will share his views on why 'we don't do green' in the Arena at Ecobuild on 03 March 2009.

In a discussion chaired by Roger Harrabin, BBC Environment Analyst, Campbell will tackle the political, behavioural and marketing obstacles to our adopting a greener way of life, and explore the strategies that might just make us 'do green' after all....

HSE publish SRO Journal

A free and interactive website, which allows you to view a database of more than 140 science and research articles, is just a click away.

The Science and Research Outlook (SRO) is a unique service that delivers the science and research output of the UK Health And Safety Executive (HSE) to your desk. The website provides access to a wealth of articles published over the past four years, ranging from topics as diverse as nanotechnology, noise control and exposure at open air concerts, health and safety of migrant workers and the effects of shift work on the workforce. Each article contains comprehensive links......

The Future of Construction in the Nuclear Sector

Does the UK have the skills for the £15billion to be invested in nuclear construction?

The Construction Centre.co.uk today reported that the proposed building of new nuclear plants will bring a £15billion investment to the construction industry over the next decade. However it warned that currently the skill set needed for many of the jobs required are not available in the UK. ...

House building crisis deeper than expected

The Construction Centre.co.uk highlights UK house building crisis will be deeper than expected.

The Construction Centre today warned that the number of housing projects being currently shelved would have far reaching effects and place significant stress on the market even after the country pulls itself out of recession. ...

The Construction Centre highlights UK Skills Shortage

The Construction Centre.co.uk highlights fresh reports of skills shortages in the construction industry.
The Construction Centre reported earlier this year that migrant building workers were returning to their homelands which would exacerbate the UK skills shortage. ...

The Construction Centre at Grand Designs

The Construction Centre.co.uk is invited to speak at Grand Designs show in Birmingham
The Construction Centre today announced they are to speak at the Grand Designs show in Birmingham on 10th October 2008. Regarded as one of the UK’s leading online information resources for the building industry, The Construction Centre will be speaking at the “Don’t Move – Improve” seminar. ...

The Construction Centre Supports the Good Homes Alliance

The Construction Centre supports the Good Homes Alliance, LowCarb4Real project.
The Construction Centre.co.uk today announced its support for the Good Homes Alliance, which aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of building sustainable homes in the UK. The Construction Centre has already highlighted how difficult meeting the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes would be for housebuilders and now with the added economic downturn, it said the pressure was significantly increasing....

Combined Heat and Power Petition

The Construction Centre.co.uk signs CHP (Combined Heat and Power) Petition on Downing Street Website
The Construction Centre.co.uk today signed a petition, established by Heating and Ventilation Review, which supports the adoption of a feed in tariff for CHP owners who have surplus electricity which is sent back to the national grid....

VAT Reduction

VAT reduction proposals welcomed by The Construction Centre.co.uk.
The European Union (EU) announced last week that small firms in the building, catering and services industry could benefit from a VAT reduction to 5% from the current rate of 17.5%. ...

Housing Update

The Construction Centre.co.uk comments on the continued decline of the house building industry
Fresh reports today revealed that the construction industry suffered further last month with purchasing activity down to its lowest point for eleven years. ...

The Woes of Housebuilders

Housebuilders overpricing ends in tears with UK banks says Construction Centre.co.uk
The Construction Centre.co.uk today said that the housing crisis could get much worse. It has been no secret that housebuilders have been riding the wave of inflated house prices and now rumours are pervading the industry that banks are beginning to restrict the amount of lending against new build properties less than five years old. ...

UK Housing Review

The Construction Centre.co.uk reviews the UK’s housing situation
The global credit crunch has without doubt had a ripple effect on the UK building industry. It has been suggested that there will be a steady decline in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the construction sector over the next couple of years. ...

House Builders Tighten Belts

The Construction Centre highlights its concern over housebuilders reaction to slowing market
Several reports this week that major UK housebuilders are considering job losses and the postponement of projects have revealed that the construction industry will not be immune from the effects of the global credit crunch. ...

Housing and Construction Market

The Construction Centre comments on the UK housing and construction markets
Fresh reports released by the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) and RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) this week seem to be compounding the belief that the credit crunch has not only affected the UK housing market but also the construction industry. ...

RICS Construction Market Survey

“RICS survey puts government target of 3 million homes at risk” says The Construction Centre.co.uk
A survey released by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) today has shown a sharp downturn in workload growth particularly in the housing sector. ...

Pushing Nuclear Power

The Construction Centre UK comments on the push for Nuclear Power
The Construction Centre.co.uk highlighted that events this week have shown just how serious the government is about the development of nuclear power in the UK. ...

Community Infrastructure Levy

The Construction Centre UK comments on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The Construction Centre today released a statement in support of the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is set to replace the unpopular Planning Gain Supplement. ...

Budget 2008

The Construction Centre UK responds to Darling’s first Budget
Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his first budget yesterday in the House of Commons. There were few surprises as Darling sought to raise taxes in order to support the likely economic downturn however it was slated by the opposition as a “bad news budget”....

Construction Skills Crisis

Skills shortages now critical for UK building industry says The Construction Centre.co.uk
Following the release of the Construction Skills report on the state of the building industry, The Construction Centre released a statement today about its concern for the skills shortage. ...

Lifetime Homes Strategy

The Construction Centre.co.uk comments on the Lifetime Homes Strategy
The Government this week published a new strategy for housing guidelines which help to accommodate the needs of the elderly and is to be woven into the existing policy; the Code for Sustainable Homes. The strategy has been hailed as the first of its kind in the world and The Construction Centre today commented on how it might affect the UK’s already new build industry....

Health and Safety

The Construction Centre.co.uk states health and safety in the building industry is a mindset not a policy
Following the much publicised announcement by Laing O’Rourke to introduce random alcohol and drug testing for all employees, The Construction Centre released a statement in support of the move but suggested that companies in the industry could go further still to reduce and even eliminate site accidents....

Housing and Regeneration

The Construction Centre.co.uk comments on UK government’s regeneration plans
The UK government has stated its intention to solve the housing shortage by building 3 million new homes by 2020. This is a staggering number for the house building industry and The Construction Centre today released a statement commenting on the potential pitfalls of this bold strategy....

Flooding

The Construction Centre supports Sir Michael Pitts’ Flood Report
Following the release of The Pitt Review in December, on the severe flooding which hit the UK in June and July this year, The Construction Centre issued a statement fully supporting its recommendations....

Thames Gateway

The Construction Centre highlights concerns over Thames Gateway regeneration project
Plans for the huge regeneration project in the Thames Gateway area received a mixed response last week. The project which could be the largest of its kind in Europe is set to cost around 9 billion pounds and span 40 miles along the Thames....

WRAP OSC Report

The Construction Centre.co.uk supports WRAP’s Off Site Construction Report
Following a report issued earlier this month by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) regarding off site construction (OSC), The Construction Centre.co.uk today announced it was in full support of the potential cost and environmental benefits to the building industry....

Fire Safety

The Construction Centre.co.uk supports calls for Building Regulations review covering fire safety
With two large commercial building fires within the space of two weeks, The Construction Centre has today announced its support for a review of Building Regulations as recommended by the Fire Protection Association....

Zero Carbon Non Domestic Buildings

The Construction Centre.co.uk Supports Zero Carbon Plans for Non Domestic Buildings
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has this week announced its intention to lead a project for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) researching the implications of implementing a zero carbon policy for non domestic new and existing buildings. ...

New Health and Safety Report

The Construction Centre.co.uk supports HSE and IoD report; Leading Health and Safety at Work
Following the release of new guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) this week, The Construction Centre today released a statement fully supporting of the document. The guidance has been written for directors and is designed to provide a basis for creating and implementing an effective Health and Safety strategy....

Diesel Particulate Filters

The Construction Centre.co.uk calls for Further Investigation into Diesel Particulate Filters for Site Plant in London
The Construction Centre.co.uk announced today its support of the Construction Plant Hire Association’s (CPA) lobby to revise key elements of the Best Practice Guidance, issued by the Greater London Authority, in order to help plant owners and suppliers transition to meet EU emission standards....

Zero Carbon Tax Breaks

Gordon Brown’s Zero Carbon Tax Breaks don’t go far enough, says UK online Building Directory; The Construction Centre.co.uk
Gordon Brown’s announcement in May this year that new carbon zero homes would be exempt from stamp duty was positively received by both the public and construction industry. However, The Construction Centre.co.uk today voiced its concern that the directive to build zero carbon homes is not being achieved. ...

Housing Shortages

The Construction Centre.co.uk Voices Concern over Shortage of UK Homes
The Construction Centre.co.uk today highlighted its concern over the reduction in the development of new build homes throughout the UK, over the last ten years. It is thought that environmental issues are partly to blame for the shortfall and the consequences could be far reaching. ...

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Draft Bill

The Construction Centre.co.uk supports Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Draft Bill
The Construction Centre today announced its support of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions (RES) Bill and welcomed the proposals for consistent and proportionate methods to deal with non-compliance to regulations within the building industry. The draft bill is expected to become law in April 2008 and proposes significant changes for regulators across the industry, affecting both small and large construction companies. ...

Crane Safety

The Construction Centre supports Crane Safety following Strategic Forum Summit
Following the recent flurry of accidents and deaths relating to crane collapses, The Construction Centre announced its support of the Strategic Forum Summit. The summit held on 9th August, highlighted key areas and issues which needed to be addressed in order to ensure tower crane safety and reduce the current accident rate. ...

FMB Lobby Planning White Paper

The Construction Centre.co.uk supports Federation of Master Builders lobby on Planning White Paper
The Construction Centre today announced its support of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) lobby against the government regarding the proposals laid out in Mays planning white paper, affecting loft conversions and roof extensions....

Cement Shortages

The Construction Centre.co.uk comments on UK cement shortages
The last quarter has seen widespread reporting on the UK’s cement supply chain, highlighting severe shortages which have been affecting projects around the country....

Site Waste Management Plans

The Construction Centre.co.uk helps promote the use of sustainable materials for UK Site Waste Management Plans
The Construction Centre.co.uk today highlighted its extensive database for architects and contractors to find recycled and sustainable products in order help conform to the Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) which come into effect in April 2008....

Carbon Challenge

The Construction Centre.co.uk helps promote Carbon Challenge plans
The Construction Centre today announced its support of the Government’s Carbon Challenge plans, which aims to create five zero carbon or near zero carbon developments throughout the UK in order to provide working examples to the building industry. The idea is to encourage housebuilders to implement good building practices in order to meet the 2016, CO2 emissions targets....

Planning White Paper

Response to Planning White Paper from The Construction Centre.co.uk
Following the release of the Planning White Paper by Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly on Monday last week, The construction Centre has welcomed the proposals but with a degree of caution....

Smoking Ban Laws

The Construction Centre sees rise in searches as UK responds to new smoking ban laws
The Construction Centre today announced that searches on its website for signage and smoking shelters have increased significantly over the last two months, as businesses prepare for the new smoking ban laws which come into effect on 1st July 2007....

Skills Shortage

The Construction Centre.co.uk seeks to help reduce the UK building industry skills shortage
The Construction Centre today issued concern for the UK building industry, which is currently seeing continued improvement and buoyancy in the market but which is also simultaneously experiencing a skills shortage. Many industry pundits have also highlighted their worries that despite the apparent boom, many contractors are struggling to find labour particularly for tradesmen such as plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters....

Code for Sustainable Homes

The Construction Centre expresses concern over UK sustainability targets
The Construction Centre today joined many building industry commentators in suggesting that the Governments targets for zero carbon new homes by 2016 could be unrealistic. It is thought that the targets themselves are attainable but concern remains as to how aware product manufacturers and contractors are about how these targets can be achieved on a practical level....

Air Conditioning sales to increase

The Construction Centre.co.uk predicts UK air conditioning sales will heat up over the summer
The Construction Centre today issued a warning to businesses to be prepared for the hot summer temperatures expected. With predictions from the met office that the mean summer temperatures this year will be above long term averages and the odds of exceptionally hot periods increasing, many businesses will not have planned ahead with regards to keeping their staff cool....

CDM and HSE Review

The Construction Centre reviews health and safety in the UK building industry
The Construction Centre has reviewed the provisional figures for deaths and injuries in construction which has been issued by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) for the year 2006-2007. Indications show that there is still a long way for the UK building industry to go in order to reduce the number of fatalities every year....

Building Regulations

The Construction Centre explains the problem with DIY and Building Regulations?
Over the last few years the UK has seen an explosion of building projects which have been completed by home owners. This has not only put a strain on the available resources within local building control and planning services but has also led to the increase of non compliance to Building Regulations....

Women in Building

The Construction Centre supports equality in the UK Building Industry
The Construction Centre announced today that it fully supports the increasing role of women in the building industry and has committed to raising UK awareness through its website. It will list female Professionals and Tradeswomen in its directories alongside links to Trade Associations such as Women and Manual Trade (WAMT) and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)....

Construction Industry Scheme

The Construction Centre.co.uk joins the debate over the new Construction Industry Scheme
The Construction Centre.co.uk today joined the debate surrounding the new Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) which is finally due, after several delays, to come into effect for contractors next week on 1st April 2007....

Aggregates Levy

The Construction Centre quarries deeper into the new levy on aggregates
Following Gordon Brown’s budget on Wednesday this week, The Construction Centre.co.uk is supporting widespread industry views that the aggregates sector now seems to be bearing the brunt of the Governments bid to raise funds, under the guise of encouraging greener practices....