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- Northern Ireland finance minister Sammy Wilson has promised 10,000 more social and affordable homes by 2013. His comments come after a meeting with representatives from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, which questioned the level of funding for social housing. Mr Wilson, speaking after the meeting, suggested that the there were "unprecedented levels of […]Read article
When being Gas Safe can be just plumb wrong!
Read articleThe Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering ( CIPHE) has recently admitted concern that some housholders, landlords and owners of commercial premises presume Gas Safe registration covers other areas of plumbing installation or repairs – in addition to the handling of gas.Quite simply stated – it doesn’t ! The CIPHE emphasise most strongly that […]
Heathrow reveals Terminal 2 plans
Read articleThe BAA has unveiled plans for the development of Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport. Star Alliance Airlines is to make the new terminal its home and it is expected that 20 million passengers will use it every day once it is open. Mike Brown, Heathrow Airport’s chief operating officer, said: "The new Terminal 2 is […]
Scheme for green home improvements suggested
Read articlePeople that make environmentally friendly home improvements could be on the receiving end of government loans. The UK Green Building Council has proposed the scheme, which could see people get a £10,000 loan that would be repaid over 25 years. Gordon Miller, founder of Whatgreenhome.com, said that the moves were “perhaps to bold” but still […]
Importance of asbestos training noted
Read articleThe importance of managing asbestos at premises has been highlighted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Earlier this year, Canadian company Vale Inco Europe Ltd pleased guilty to four charges under the Control of Asbestos Regulation 2006. The company employed a contractor to work on a furnace at a premises in Clydach, Wales, but […]
NE construction firm encourages local college
Read articleA construction firm in the north east of England has invited staff from a local college onto one of its building sites. Staff from the National Construction Academy at Newcastle College were invited to attend, in an effort to help them with their professional development, the Northern Echo reports. Bob Warren, construction director at Whelan, […]
Relaunched plasterboard fire protection 'bible' is a skills training must-have!
Read articleBritish Gypsum has re-launched its passive fire protection solutions guide ‘The Fire Book’, 15 years on since its first publication. The updated and much expanded version of the first Fire Book is designed for anyone specifying, approving or installing structural fire protection in buildings systems. The Fire Book includes more than 140 pages of theory, […]
Construction decline slowing
Read articleThe rate at which construction in the UK has declined has eased. That is according to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply/Markit construction purchasing managers index, which discovered that 19 per cent of builders reported a rise in activity last month. David Noble, chief executive at the institute, said that optimism was beginning to […]
Kickstart' building programme back on track!
Read articleThe ‘Kickstart’ programme is a key part of the Government’s investment to help combat the recession. It is designed to unlock housebuilding sites currently unable to proceed and support construction of high quality mixed tenure housing developments. Kickstart was announced in this year’s Budget and then expanded as part of the Prime Minister’s Housing Pledge […]
Whilst this recession is on, a third of UK home owners will stay put and renovate their bathrooms or kitchens instead !
Read articleIt may be obvious to most, that whilst the recession continues and house prices are yet to recover, most householders will sensibly choose to stay and make improvements to their homes, in preparation for when house prices show signs of significant improvement. According to a recent poll, more than 30 per cent of those taking […]
'Transforming' voltage to household savings!
Read articleWe all know about how saving maximum energy and being super energy efficient is probably now the single most important area of concern in all our home, and of course, workplace activities. This is especially more so for the plumbing, electrical and gas install, repair and maintenance industries. Responsible trade skills training centres, like AbleSkills, […]
Stop getting into hot water! Thermostatic control now mandatory!
Read articleFor most of us, it would be hard to imagine life without hot water – we are all pretty well used to just turning on the tap for hot showers, baths or water for cleaning. It is one of the plumber’s key jobs to ensure that hot water is readily supplied and forms a significant […]