Entrepreneur housebuilders have been crushed: We must bring them back to life March 7, 2017 It's nothing new to say that too few homes are being built in the UK. Fourteen housing ministers in the last 20 years have acknowledged it time after time, just as they have recognised that housing – or the lack thereof – is the UK’s greatest modern economic challenge. Yet the frequency with which these individuals have [...]
UK and London house prices: The disastrous new tax on buy to let landlords is really a tax on tenants April 6, 2017 Theresa May stood on the steps of Number 10 Downing Street last summer and pledged to help those “just about managing” families and build “a country that works for everyone”. After a divisive referendum campaign and a period of political turmoil, it was a reassuring message. Tackling Britain’s housing crisis was quickly identified as one [...]
Why the build-to-rent sector is key to solving London’s dire housing affordability crisis February 25, 2016 London's housing shortage is putting the capital’s future at risk. The success of this great city is fuelled by its ability to attract talent, both nationally and internationally. But there is a danger that young professionals will be put off working here by growing housing costs, cramped and insecure conditions, or long and expensive commutes. [...]
UK house prices: Construction sector slows as house building rises at slowest pace since 2013 March 2, 2016 A gauge of activity in the construction sector stooped to a 10-month low this morning as survey figures revealed Britain's house building recovery may have hit the brakes. Markit's construction purchasing managers' index fell to a score of 54.2 in February from the previous month's 55. Scores above 50 indicate growth but lower scores imply [...]
Brexit could cost the construction sector thousands of workers and increase the skills shortage March 15, 2017 While the UK grapples with a skills shortage in the construction industry, new figures suggest Brexit will threaten eight per cent of the sector's workforce. Losing access to the EU's Single Market will put nearly 200,000 construction jobs at risk, a survey of construction professionals by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) will today reveal. According [...]
If you want a job at UK’s best financial services company to work for, you’ll have to move to Wolverhampton… February 26, 2017 Want a job at the firm named the UK's best financial services company to work for? You'll have to move to the Midlands. Yep – a Wolverhampton company has clinched the sector's top spot in a ranking of the UK's best employers. The Sunday Times' 100 Best Companies to Work for 2017 named Charter Court Financial [...]
The energy storage sector is set to boom as growth in renewables flatlines May 4, 2017 The energy storage sector is expanding rapidly as growth in independent renewables flatlines with UK battery capacity poised to grow up to 100 times by 2020, a new report suggests. On average, 275 independent renewable projects have completed each quarter since 2013. However, in the wake of deep subsidy cuts, just 38 were completed from [...]
Exclusive interview: Theresa May says she’ll defend the City as she warns EU that nowhere else can do what it does June 1, 2017 Theresa May’s brand of conservatism doesn’t include a natural affection for global financial institutions. In almost every sense, she’s more Maidenhead than Moorgate. And yet surprisingly, she has a stronger connection to the City than any Prime Minister since John Major, having spent 20 years in and around the Square Mile first with the Bank [...]
The building trades need to recruit more women as infrastructure investment rises February 13, 2017 Recruiting women into the plumbing, electrical, and building industries is just as economically important as encouraging more women to join FTSE 100 boards, a new report said. The building trades are a leading source of employment in the UK, but a stereotypes and lack of promotion to girls making career choices leave the field dominated by [...]
Electric shock – finding the winners and losers of the electric revolution October 11, 2017 The electric car – as a concept – is almost as old as the internal combustion engine (ICE). The first electric vehicle (EV) is credited, somewhat contentiously, to Scottish chemist Robert Anderson as far back as 1837. Thomas Edison is even rumoured to have explored a cheap electric car with Henry Ford as early as [...]