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Keep up to date with the latest breaking construction news stories here on Structuralinsurance.com

Deputy Prime Minister visits Construction College

Posted by on Dec 2, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg recently visited Leeds College of Building and unveiled a £1bn scheme aimed at tackling the current increase in youth unemployment. The youth contract scheme will give employers subsidies worth £2,275 to take on 160,000 18-to 24-year-olds, for six months, over three years. Whilst at the College the Deputy Prime Minister met with Principal Ian Billyard, Deputy Principal Derek Whitehead and various students across the College, including WorldSkills Gold Medal winner Shane Trevitt. Principal at Leeds College of...

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MLA Calls for cash to bolster Northern Ireland construction projects

Posted by on Dec 2, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

The SDLP Foyle MLA, Colum Eastwood has called on Stormont’s Minister of Finance Sammy Wilson to target ‘shovel ready’ projects in order to sustain and grow current employment within the Northern Irish construction sector. Mr Eastwood said, “There have been few spared by the force of the economic tsunami which has buffeted this island over the last number of years. A succession of unemployment, debt and fiscal figures have acted as headlines to the undercurrent of real hardship experienced by ordinary families. Every sector of this...

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Thousands of new homes to be delivered by Home Group

Posted by on Nov 30, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

The Home Group, a leading provider of affordable homes in the UK has signed contracts with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to build over 2100 properties in England. The projects, worth £40.5m are part of the HCA’s Affordable Homes Programme. Home Group plans to spend more than £450m over the next 4 years on its new property projects, with an additional 1,900 homes to be built in England & Scotland. Home Group chief executive, Mark Henderson, said: “The major development programme Home Group is announcing today sets out the...

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Chancellor announces Infrastructure and Construction Projects

Posted by on Nov 29, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Chancellor George Osborne has today updated the House of Commons on the current state of the UK economy during his Autumn Statement. Amidst a climate of deep economic uncertainty with continuing pressure felt from the Euro-zone crisis and real fears that the UK is headed for a double-dip recession, the Chancellor announced both infrastructure and Housing initiatives designed to bolster the economy. Infrastructure £5bn of new spend over the next 3 years, with £1bn designated for rail projects. Mr Osborne also outlined plans to unlock upto...

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Danish renewable energy firm set to create 450 Belfast jobs

Posted by on Nov 29, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Danish based company Dong Energy has announced its decision to make Belfast its UK base of operations to build turbines for its wind farms set up a base of operation in Belfast, creating 450 jobs. The new terminal which is receiving a £50m investment from Belfast Harbour will be the first purpose-built port for the production of offshore wind farms in the UK. Belfast Harbour chairman, Len O’Hagan, had this to say about the new terminal; “In a difficult economic environment, certain sectors are doing well and renewables is where...

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Kier to buiild 99 new homes in Cinderford

Posted by on Nov 1, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Forest of Deane District Council has chosen construction company Kier Partnership Homes to build 99 new affordable homes over the next in Valley Road, Cinderford. The development forms part of wider plans to regenerate Cinderford is supported by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) with a £2m investment to aquire the Ensors site and aid in relocation of the company, safeguarding 130 local jobs. All of the dwellings are to be built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, providing a higher standard of sustainability than traditionally...

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David Cameron vows to Kick Start Infrastructure Projects

Posted by on Oct 31, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised 100 new infrastructure projects which would create around 35,000 jobs will be authorised to start. Writing in in this morning’s Financial Times Mr Cameron said; “In terms of future productivity, this infrastructure deficit is as serious as our budget deficit. In terms of job creation today, getting construction projects off the ground is critical. “Too often projects get hobbled by planning restrictions, funding blockages or regulatory burdens. So this autumn the government is on an all-out...

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CIOB Calls for greater “Green” Checks in NPPF

Posted by on Oct 31, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

The Construction Industry Training Board (CIOB) has called on the Government to provide greater clarity to enable Local Authorities to better understand what “Green” credentials they are being measured against in light of the Government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Whilst in general agreement with the basic principles within the NPPF, the CIOB has recommended that the framework includes scope for development applications for retrofitting of existing  building stock, given the emphasis placed on this...

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Miller Homes and Edinburgh Council join forces to provide new rental homes

Posted by on Oct 27, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

UK Home Builder Miller Homes has partnered with Edinburgh City Council and Scottish Futures’ Trust (SFT) to form a LLP as part of a National Housing Trust’s initiative. The National Housing Trust (NHT) is endeavouring to increase the quantity of affordable rental homes in areas where there is a high demand, enabling councils and developers to partner and forge ahead with construction projects. As part of the partnership, Miller Homes will commence work on 89 new homes at the Varcity North development in Edinburgh within the coming weeks....

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Gas Safety Week 12th-18th September

Posted by on Sep 12, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

The convenience of instant heat and costs comparable with electric alternatives has seen an increase in inclusion of gas appliances for heating, cooking and hot water in new build homes over recent years. With that in mind it is vital that all gas appliances are installed by Gas Safe engineers, for both safety and legal reasons.   12th – 18th   September 2011 is the first ever Gas Safety week, where the Gas Safety Register  hope to increase awareness of Gas Safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. Here are...

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