Right to buy pledge will increase housing pressure

The Conservative pledge to re-introduce the Right To Buy for Housing Association tenants as highlighted in the Queen’s speech today could scupper plans for a much-needed expansion in public sector housing according to Simon Hay, CEO of the Brick Development... View Article

Story Homes’ statement on Queen’s Speech

Steve Errington, Chief Executive of Story Homes, commented on the Housing Bill outlined in the Queen’s speech. He said: “Story Homes welcomes the Government’s plans for Starter Homes which will help to provide more houses for first-time buyers – who are... View Article

CIOB responds to the Queen’s Speech announcements

As the Conservatives begin their term in government, the Chartered Institute of Building provides its reaction to today’s Queen Speech. With the announcements in today’s speech already documented, the CIOB is keen to engage with policy makers on the commitments... View Article

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff responds to Queen’s Speech

Responding to today’s Queen Speech, Darren Reed – UK head of rail – said: “We welcome the increased powers proposed to the UK’s cities and towns in the City Devolution Bill, which will empower regional economies and ensure growth is... View Article

CITB statement in response to today’s Queens speech

Steve Radley, Director of Policy at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), said: “It’s great to see the Government  setting out its ambition for three million more apprenticeships. Employers and Government now need to get together to work out how to... View Article

BPF Comments on Queen’s Speech

BPF urges EU Referendum certainty The British Property Federation (BPF) has commented on the impact that the European Union Referendum Bill, announced in today’s Queen’s Speech, could have on the real estate industry. Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British... View Article

Queen’s Speech and the State Opening of Parliament Comments

Lindsay Whitelaw (CEO of URICA) comments on Business Secretary Sajid Javid’s announcement that there will be an establishment of a small business conciliation. “The announcement of a small business conciliation is both positive and exciting news for British business. It... View Article

New BIS Secretary right to tackle late payment, says FMB

Proposals by the New Business Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, to combat late payments to small firms have been cautiously welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Late payment has plagued the... View Article

A friendly facade

We asked four leading facade, cladding and envelope specialists what they would tell architects and specifiers if they had the chance. This is what they told us. Michael Willoughby reports. Chris Macey, group MD, Wintech Group When windows and facades... View Article

Brave new world

The sculptural ribbed aluminium form of the EBI South Building in Cambridgeshire is a dynamic reflection of the pioneering bioinformatics research going on inside. Stephen Cousins reports. Hunched down low in a protected rural landscape and clad in a ribbed... View Article

Everybody needs good neighbours

When Use Architects’ Jo Hagan came to develop his own site, he used an innovative material to make sure the block was a welcome addition to his Hackney home. Michael Willoughby reports. How to handle a large residential-commercial building in... View Article

The changing face of window design and specification

Jon Palethorpe, commercial director at architectural aluminium systems specialist, Technal, looks at current trends in fenestration design and specification, and some of the latest technical advancements engineered for high performance windows. In the UK, building regulations are imposing ever more... View Article

The demand for individual expression is on the rise

Paul Hughes, from FunderMax, comments on the rising trend and demand for individual design within the cladding industry, and subsequent challenges. There are numerous challenges that confront facade producers in today’s competitive construction market. All of which have to be... View Article