LGA statement: Councils respond to Budget 2021

Responding to the Budget, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), said: Local recovery “Tackling the economic challenges ahead is a huge task. It is councils who know their local areas best and must be able to... View Article

Budget 2021: a boost for construction?

An extension to the furlough scheme, a £10m MMC taskforce, a new ‘Infrastructure Bank’ totalling £12bn in capital, £15bn to be spent on the transition to net zero by 2050, an extension on the stamp duty holiday, and the introduction... View Article

Architects of Tomorrow: GT3 offers virtual work experience

Leading architecture practice GT3 Architects has launched an innovative virtual work experience for students interested in design and the built environment but unable to undertake studio placements due to Covid-19. The work experience, which is aimed at students aged 14-18, will... View Article

Taylor Wimpey Full Year Results 2020

Pete Redfern, Chief Executive, Taylor Wimpey “2020 was a very challenging year, during which our priority has continued to be the health and safety of our colleagues, customers, suppliers and subcontractors. Operating performance has bounced back strongly in the second... View Article

Grenfell Inquiry resumes on Zoom with shocking revelations

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire resumed its hearings after being suspended amid the national lockdown, but with a similar message ‘maximising profits took precedence over safety’. Internal communications from within Arconic revealed that staff were aware the... View Article

New watchdog set up to ban dangerous building materials

Over three and half years after the shocking loss of life in the Grenfell Tower fire, the Government is finally to set up a regulatory body charged with banning dangerous building materials and prosecuting the companies making them. Housing Secretary... View Article

Dangerous cladding removal from tower blocks drags on

Privately owned residential tower blocks are lagging behind the social sector in the race to remove dangerous ACM cladding from the nation’s homes, some three and a half years after the fatal Grenfell Tower fire. The latest Government data release... View Article

Nottingham landlord sentenced over dangerous property

A Nottingham private landlord, who failed to improve his rental property, leaving his tenants in dangerous conditions has found it cost him over £1,000. Haroon Karim, from Bramcote in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Housing Act 2004,... View Article

Decrease in number of social lettings

The number of lettings to social rent homes fell again last year and is now almost 25 per cent below its peak of six years ago, as more use was made of the higher ‘affordable rents’ regime which charities and... View Article

England’s housing stock in numbers

The most recent annual report from the English Housing Survey tells us there are 24.4 million dwellings in England, including both occupied and vacant homes. Of these, 15.6 million (64 per cent) are owner occupied, 4.7 million (19 per cent)... View Article

Energy efficiency of housing continues to improve

The energy efficiency of England’s housing stock continues to improve as the Government strives to meet its international obligations to reduce energy consumption. In 2019, the average SAP rating of English dwellings was 65 points, up from 45 points in... View Article

Council house Right to Buy sales stall

Right to Buy sales of council homes have fallen by 43 per cent in the latest figures released by the Government, falling to their lowest level since 2013. English councils sold 1,548 homes to tenants exercising their Right to Buy... View Article