Construction election boost, record house building + world’s top structures

BLOG from Howard Chapman, Editor of Buildingtalk

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My favourite comment after the clear Tory majority win in the UK General Election last week was: No more Balls from Labour – and no Scottish Nanny putting us all on the naughty step. I couldnt possibly comment, but I do believe it was a good result for the construction industry. Ive listed below just some of the Government pledges that will help promote UK construction.

However, we still face a number of key challenges, not least how to solve the current housing shortfall. Despite housebuilders having the best results since 2007 (40k homes were registered in Q1, up 18% on 2014, says NHBC), PSB Magazine explains why a single strategy wont be enough to solve the issue.

Live Interview at Clerkenwell Design Week:

Next week I will be at THE VAULT showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week. I will be live online via the new Periscope technology, promoted via Twitter, to interview interior designer Gary Wheeler. If you have an iPhone or iPad, do follow Buildingtalk on Twitter and you will get a live link prompt next Thursday lunchtime, 21st May. You can comment live during the interview but do keep it clean or I will be in trouble.

Other economic news includes:

• how Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) will benefit the retrofit industry
• UK building products volumes are up, including aggregates and cement
• new brick production is up and set to exceed 2 billion this year
• how appropriate commissioning can boost energy efficiency
• increased energy efficiency with thermal wheels in air handling units
• Integrity Software Systems highlights 3 crucial relationships for construction businesses

We reveal Britains most hated bathroom chore and the 8 construction world records that set new building innovation standards.

New products

• Natural ventilation system for high level windows launched by Geze UK
• Invitation to THE VAULT showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week
• New brochure from Traffiglove advocates hand protection in the construction sector
• Safety system CAD drawings launched by C-TEC
• Mirka products added to Dulux Decorator Centre range

Training, CPD & Seminars

• Apprenticeship opportunities from property maintenance specialists, Novus Property Solutions
• Hansgrohe CPD on compliance with the latest Water Regulations Advisory Scheme
• CPD from Hush Acoustics on effective acoustic solutions in buildings
• Sika concrete waterproofing seminars at Evolving Concrete event
• Launch of wide-ranging seminar programme for the Build Show at UK Construction Week

Top project stories

• New housing and allotment development helps seaside town thrive
• Protan SE roofing specified in £4 million slum redevelopment
• ABET High Pressure Laminate selected for East End Homes HQ
• Polyflor vinyl tiles improve safety in award-winning care home
• Aperam stainless steel finishes for contemporary architecture

Top Tweets from Buildingtalk

• Housebuilders – Q1 2015 best results since 2007 with 40k homes registered + 18% on 2014 says NHBC
• Brick output to rise to record 2 billion in 2015 + ONS stats show 5% rise in Q1
• Construction sector growth in Ireland accelerates sharply in April – new orders & jobs up says Markit survey
• UK building products Q1 volumes up: Aggregates, Concrete and Asphalt says MPA

Government pledges that will promote UK construction

• £100bn investment in infrastructure Ð the biggest investment in rail since Victorian and the most extensive improvements to our roads since the 1970s.
• £13bn on transport to help create the Northern Powerhousewith major road developments, electrification of main rail routes, construction of the northern hub network.
• Upgrades to the M5,A358,A30andA303, plus electrification of the Great Western Main Line to enable fast trains to run on the route.
• Proposed airport expansion in the South East – promise to respond to the Airports Commission and increase capacity.
• Build more affordable homes,including 200,000 Starter Homes, which will be sold at a 20% discount, and will be built exclusively for first-time buyers under the age of 40.
• Extend Help to Buy to cover another 120,000 homes.
• Extension of Right to Buy, offering discounts worth up to £102,700 in London and £77,000 in the rest of England, but not in Scotland or Wales, where Right to Buy is being abolished.
• Create 3 million new apprenticeships.

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