UK Energy Assessors & Home Inspectors

Speech: David Currie speaks in Scotland about competition and economic growth

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:16:46 +0000

It is a great pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to speak to this important Scottish Council for Development and Industry ( SCDI ) conference, and to explain the work of the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ), which I chair, and how its work contributes to economic growth throughout the United Kingdom, the focus of today’s conference. It i

Press release: Brandon Lewis raises the alarm over tenant safety

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:10:43 +0000

New fire safety measures will help save the lives of tenants and ensure all rented property is equipped with a smoke alarm, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said today (1 October 2015).

From today, landlords will be required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, under new government measures coming into force.

It is estimated this could help prevent more than 25 deaths and nearly 700 injuries a year. Landlords who fail to

Press release: Brandon Lewis raises the alarm over tenant safety

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:10:43 +0000

New fire safety measures will help save the lives of tenants and ensure all rented property is equipped with a smoke alarm, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said today (1 October 2015).

From today, landlords will be required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, under new government measures coming into force.

It is estimated this could help prevent more than 25 deaths and nearly 700 injuries a year. Landlords who fail to

News story: Andrew Dunlop at Milan Expo to promote Scottish life sciences

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:59:30 +0000

Scotland Office Minister Andrew Dunlop attended the Expo as UK Trade and Investment undertakes a week long programme of events focused around Life Sciences at the UK Government’s pavilion. These include leadership events, meet the buyer events and networking receptions. A number of similar themed events take place over a number of weeks at the Expo, all geared towards an overall target of winning business for UK companies worth £1billion by the end of the event in Octobe

News story: Crime news: better case management rollout and new guidance

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:45:11 +0000

Rollout of better case management (BCM) begins in 8 early adopter courts on 5 October 2015 and new guidance is available to help you understand what this means – see links below.

The initiative is designed to deliver speedier justice, and key changes include:

a uniform Early Guilty Plea (EGP) scheme
new Plea and Trial Preparation Hearings (PTPH)

Early adopter courts

The following 8 Crow

Press release: TB rates in England continue to decline

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:30:36 +0000

The figures are published today (1 October, 2015) in the Public Health England ( PHE ) annual TB in England report.

Latest figures give an incidence of 12.0 cases per every 100,000 people in England, down from the peak of 15.6 per 100,000 in 2011.

As in previous years, London accounted fo

Press release: New National Minimum Wage rates come into force

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:29:08 +0000

Over one million working people will receive a pay rise today when National Minimum Wage goes up
Apprentices get biggest ever rise
Over £1,000 increase in yearly pay packet for full time apprentice

The pay packets of thousands of Welsh workers will be boosted from today as the new National Minimum Wage rates come into force.

From Thursday 1 October 2015, the apprentice rate of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) goes up b

Press release: Superfast broadband breaks the half a million barrier in Wales

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:10:34 +0000

Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns said:

Half a million homes and businesses across Wales have been transformed by superfast broadband – changing everything from the way we bank , do business and communicate around the world.

The UK Government firmly believes that fast and reliable connectivity is essential, not only for everyday life, but also for the economic success of the UK. Businesses are

News story: Smoking in cars with children banned from today

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 07:36:49 +0000

From today, new legislation in England and Wales makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle carrying someone who is under 18. It is now also against the law for a driver not to stop someone smoking in these circumstances. The fine for both offences is £50.

The change in the law is to protect children and young people from the damaging effects of secondhand smoke, which can put them at risk of serious conditions such as meningitis, cancer, bronchitis and pneumonia, a

Press release: New rights for consumers when buying digital content

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:15:00 +0000

Consumers downloading music or buying ebooks are today (1 October 2015) being given new legal rights. Responding to the surge in the number of consumers buying digital content, the Consumer Rights Act will introduce specific rules entitling shoppers to a repair or replacement when digital products are faulty.

Shoppers are increasingly spending their money on digital content,

Press release: Government overturns turban workplace rule

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:15:00 +0000

For more than 20 years, Sikhs working in the construction industry have been exempted from rules requiring head protection – but because of a legal loophole, those in less dangerous industries, such as those working in factories and warehouses, were not.

This meant that Sikhs in many jobs who chose to wear turbans rather than the required head protection could be at risk of disciplinary action or even dismissal.

Turban-wearing Sikhs will now have the righ

News story: MAIB safety digest 2/2015 published

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:15:00 +0000

The latest collection of cases detailing analyses of accidents involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and recreational sectors is now available here.

Press enquiries

Press release: Government introduces largest ever increase to apprentices’ wages

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:15:00 +0000

over 1 million working people will receive a pay rise today when the National Minimum Wage goes up
apprentices get biggest ever rise
over £1,000 increase in yearly pay packet for full time apprentices

From Thursday 1 October 2015, the apprentice rate of the National Minimum Wage ( NMW ) go

News story: High streets battle it out to be crowned Britain’s best: vote now

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Twenty-one finalists across the competitions 7 categories now have the chance to impress an expert judging panel and battle it out in the public vote to be crowned Britain’s best.

Winners in each category will get a share of a prize pot worth £80,000, which includes expert training and tailor-made tips from Google’s training taskforce for one hundred of their shops, bars and restaurants.

High Streets Minister Marcus Jones said:

We

News story: High streets battle it out to be crowned Britain’s best: vote now

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Twenty-one finalists across the competitions 7 categories now have the chance to impress an expert judging panel and battle it out in the public vote to be crowned Britain’s best.

High Streets Minister Marcus Jones said:

We

Speech: "The world is a better place because of the foundation of the United Nations by our predecessors 70 years ago."

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:38:09 +0000

Mr President, nearly 70 years ago, the first meetings of the General Assembly and the Security Council took place in London. They marked the point when the world came together to turn its back on war and to seek to institutionalise the conditions for peace.

By that process, from the ashes of the Second World War, our predecessors embarked upon a shared quest for peace, development and human dignity.

And they succeeded where the League of Nations had fail

Press release: FCO Minister reiterates UK support for Lebanon

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:22:00 +0000

Following a meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon, Mr Ellwood said:

As the conflict in Syria continues, and the refugee crisis worsens, the work of the International Support Group for Lebanon remains vital.

Since the start of the crisis the UK has provided around £300 million of support to Lebanon. We will provide a further £100 million to the UK’s Syria cri

Press release: FCO Minister reiterates UK support for Lebanon

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:22:00 +0000

Following a meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon, Mr Ellwood said:

As the conflict in Syria continues, and the refugee crisis worsens, the work of the International Support Group for Lebanon remains vital.

Since the start of the crisis the UK has provided around £300 million of support to Lebanon. We will provide a further £100 million to the UK’s Syria cri

Speech: "The Assad regime created the environment in which extremism and ISIL in particular flourished."

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:13:00 +0000

Thank you Mr President and colleagues, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate.

None of us doubts that violent extremist ideologies across North Africa and the Middle East constitute a grave threat to international peace and security, regional stability and peaceful civilian life across the world.

In confronting them we are waging a generational struggle in which we will only prevail if we speak with one voice and act with one wil

Speech: "The Assad regime created the environment in which extremism and ISIL in particular flourished."

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:13:00 +0000

Thank you Mr President and colleagues, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate.

In confronting them we are waging a generational struggle in which we will only prevail if we speak with one voice and act with one wil

News story: UK creative industries get strong showing at World Expo 2015

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:01:00 +0000

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale today lent his support to the ‘Hive’, as record numbers experienced the UK’s entry to the 2015 World Expo in Milan.

The UK Pavilion, which was yesterday awarded the International Jury Prize for best design and relevance to the Expo theme, has a magnificent 50-tonne aluminium abstract beehive as its centrepiece, has seen a peak daily crowd of 40,000 and is nearin

News story: Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict at the UN General Assembly

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:36:22 +0000

On 29 September, Baroness Anelay, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Vesna Pusić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs for the Republic of Croatia, chaired a side event during the UN General Assembly on Challenging Attitudes to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict.

This event was an opportunity to examine the attitudes and cultural ideas which can lead to or perpetuate sexu

News story: Advice on the use of metaldehyde

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:59:22 +0000

It is important growers adhere to the current guidelines on metaldehyde use to avoid contaminating watercourses and protect drinking water supplies.

Metaldehyde is the pesticide that most often causes risks to drinking water sources, especially in the autumn. Farmers need to operate ‘best practice’ to avoid pollution. If metaldehyde enters watercourses it can threaten drinking water quality. This can result in disruption of water abstraction to treatment works an

News story: Security for the Internet of Things: apply for innovation funding

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:59:17 +0000

The ‘internet of things’ is a network of sensors that communicate with their environment. This creates security problems and challenges. The aim of this competition is to identify new ways of meeting these challenges.

Up to £1 million is available for phase 1 of this competition. Successful organisations will receive between £60,000 and £90,000 for projects lasting around 3 months. A further £1 million will be available for phase 2.

The

News story: Joe Horwood reappointed as a Natural England board member

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:55:04 +0000

Board members provide non-executive leadership challenge and support to the executive through regular board meetings, committees and groups. Individual board members, based on their particular skills and experience, undertake a range of engagements focussing on outreach and partnership building on behalf of Natural England.

All appointments are made, on merit, by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public

News story: Nuisance calls: funding available for innovative solutions

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:50:16 +0000

Innovate UK and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport are running a competition to find new ways of solving the problem of nuisance calls.

A nuisance call is an unwanted call. It can mean different things to different people, such as:

a live or pre-recorded sales or marketing call
a silent or abandoned call
any call that is ma

Speech: PM's speech to the Jamaican Parliament

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:35:35 +0000

Mr Speaker, Mr President. Honourable Members of both Houses.

Let me first thank the Most Honourable Prime Minister and the Most Honourable Leader of the Opposition for their kind words of welcome. To be invited here to address this joint sitting of Parliament is a great honour. It’s also a genuine pleasure.

This place feels instantly familiar. These benches, the mace in front of us, the atmosphere - there is much about this place that reminds me of home.

Press release: Euro exchange rate set for 2015 Basic Payment Scheme payments

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:35:00 +0000

BPS payments for England are set in Euros and then converted into sterling and the rate, an average of the European Central Bank exchange rates set in September, will be €1 = £0.73129.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will make full payments on BPS claims from December and as early as possible in the payment window, with the majority in December and the vast majority by the end of January.

The RPA makes all payments directly into bank accounts by BACS tran

News story: GCA addresses the issue of supplier training

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:54:12 +0000

One of the findings from the GCA annual sector survey was that only 29% of direct supplier respondents (24% of small suppliers) had received training on the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (the Code).

Christine Tacon, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, has previously spoken about the importance of suppliers not only being aware of the Code, but gaining a good working knowledge to use in their day to day dealings with

News story: UK Government funds free wifi across Edinburgh bus and trams

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:50:00 +0000

The journey to work for millions of commuters across the UK has been improved thanks to free Wi-Fi having been installed on buses and trams as part of the UK Government’s SuperConnected cities initiative.

More than three million unique users are making regular use of the service, using the freely available Wi-Fi to grab the latest news headlines, check the weather, browse the Internet, send emails and use social media on their daily commute.

Hundreds of

Press release: A27 Havant to Chichester resurfacing work finished early

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:20:58 +0000

The completion of the work last Friday means that a planned closure of the eastbound carriageway will not go ahead this week.

Highways England Asset Manager, Peter Phillips said:

It is great news for local residents and businesses in the Chichester and Havant area and for everyone who uses this busy road that the resurfacing work has finished earlier than scheduled, and we won’t need the closures this week.

Press release: Bankrupt optician sees prison for trying to hide assets from creditors

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:11:15 +0000

Mr Preedy’s conviction follows a full criminal investigation and prosecution by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The court heard that Mr Preedy, an optician, was previously convicted of defrauding the NHS on 13 April 2007. On that occasion, he pleaded guilty to 9 counts of obtaining money transfers by deception. In essence, he falsely represented that a Dr Yaqub had signed claim forms for the payment of eye tests carried out by the doctor

News story: Award for Visionary Change Innovation

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:08:02 +0000

We are delighted to announce that the IACCM has awarded us winner of their Visionary Change Innovation Prize for our work on pre- and post-contract activity to extract maximum value for the taxpayer. In less than a year:

contract management standards have been developed, forming the basis of a training programme
more than 200 employees have taken part in trai

News story: CMA consults on modifications to Müller undertakings

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:22:31 +0000

On 26 June 2015, the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) announced it would consider in detail undertakings proposed by Muller UK & Ireland Group LLP ( Müller ) instead of referring the acquisition for an in-depth merger investigation.

Press release: 'End in sight for roaming rip off', says UK minister

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:56:36 +0000

Plans to scrap mobile roaming charges within the European Union ( EU ) are expected to receive final sign off by Member States at a meeting of European ministers in Luxembourg tomorrow (1 October 2015).

After months of negotiations, the UK’s Business Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe, and ministers from the other EU member states, are expected to give their formal agreement to the legislation at

Press release: Two men sentenced for illegal supply of defective medicines

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:36:00 +0000

Today 2 men were sentenced at the Crown Court at Winchester for their roles in a joint venture to sell defective medicines.

Gary Rafferty, 51 years old, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment, suspended for one year, for one count of possessing a controlled drug, one count of unlawful distribution of medicinal products, as well as one count of managing a company in contravention of a disqualification.

Graham Butler, 54 years old and di

Press release: Dates announced for HS2 Ltd and Brent council’s community information events

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:00:12 +0000

Brent residents living above the route of the new high speed rail line will have an opportunity to speak to experts working on the project at two community events being held in October.

HS2 Ltd has been asked by Brent council to move the proposed location of a tunnel ventilation shaft away from Salusbury Road, which sits within the council’s South Kilburn regeneration area, to a new site at Canterbury Works.

These events have been specially arranged by HS

Press release: £7 million Growth Programme funding for rural businesses

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:48:00 +0000

Rural businesses in 12 areas across the country are set to benefit from almost £7 million to get their businesses off the ground and promote tourism, Farming Minister George Eustice announced today.

This is the latest funding round after £15 million was made available at the end of July and August through Defra’s Growth Programme.

Inviting businesses to apply, Minister for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment George Eustice said:

News story: Transport projects speed ahead in Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award shortlist

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:15:31 +0000

The Prime Minister’s Award is the pinnacle of the British Construction Industry Awards. It is for excellence in construction and design for buildings and civil engineering projects. The award recognises publicly funded construction projects that are completed on time, on budget and bring real change to their local community.

Shortlisted transport projects

News story: Defence Secretary views Exercise Pearl Dagger in Bahrain

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:12:34 +0000

As the UK prepares to mark 200 years of close ties with Bahrain next year, the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has travelled to the country to visit a Royal Marine exercise and to reinforce UK commitment to the wider region.

Press release: Cranbrook delivering new homes and supporting new homeowners

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:36:58 +0000

Communities Secretary Greg Clark this week (30 September 2015) met with housing associations on one of the country’s largest housing developments, to hear how they are helping their residents to become homeowners.

Mr Clark visited Cranbrook, a 6,500-home development near Exeter, where he met representatives from Sovereign housing association as well as Devon and Cornwall Homes, to hear how they are supporting their tenants.

Communities Secretary Greg Clar

Raising the bar for quality in the solar PV industry

Sun, 27 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

The latest expert guidance on designing, specifying, installing and maintaining grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the UK is now available from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

News story: Prime Minister at UN General Assembly 2015

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 23:15:00 +0000

Updated: Updated with recent news and updates.

Alongside the Prime Minister, ministers from other departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department for International Development, attended UNGA .

News and announcements

Aid and accountability

The

Press release: First World War heroes commemorated as Britain remembers Battle of Loos

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:36:00 +0000

From Melrose in Scotland, to Greenwich in London, communities are coming together to pay their own special tributes 100 years on from one of the most devastating battles of the war – the Battle of Loos.

Since the start of the centenary, a paving stone has been placed in the hometown of every soldier awarded the VC , 100 years on from the date they received the award.

So far more than 200 paving stones have been laid – in

BRE Scotland wins at Green Apple Awards

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

BRE’s Innovation Park in Ravenscraig scooped a top accolade at yesterday’s Green Apple Awards in Edinburgh which recognise, reward and promotes environmental best practice around the world

Home to the Future

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:18:33 +0000

A month from now on 21st October Marty McFly will land in Hill Valley, a small town in California, after travelling from the past via Doc Brown’s seriously modified DeLorean. Having previously travelled back to 1955, Marty may have been in awe at the house of the future presented in 2015, but it would seem […]

Norwegian GBC celebrates its 5 year anniversary as BREEAM NOR grows in strength

Sun, 20 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Last week the Norwegian Green Building Council (NGBC) celebrated its 5 year anniversary, and the growth of BREEAM NOR, the Norway specific version of the international BREEAM sustainability assessment tool.

Press release: Councils, bid now to support victims of domestic abuse

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 13:45:00 +0000

At the Domestic Abuse Summit held at Westminster City Hall today (18 September 2015), Communities Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford said:

This government is fully committed to providing a sanctuary for anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they are forced to leave their home.

Over the past few months I have visited specialist domestic abuse service providers across the country. I met brave women who, despite their dreadful

BRE Academy and College of Estate Management partner on new e-learning programme

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Leading built environment training provider the BRE Academy, has announced a new partnership with the College of Estate Management (CEM). Under the terms of the agreement CEM will make interactive e-learning modules from its CPD programme available to BRE Academy users, who are typically built environment professionals.

Press release: Right to Buy creates nearly 40,000 new homeowners

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:30:04 +0000

Ministers welcomed this as further evidence of how government-led efforts to support hard-working aspiring homeowners are working.

Today’s figures also show that 3,644 new starts and acquisitions have been made since the Right to Buy was reinvigorated in 2012.

This means that the 3,054 additional homes sold in the first year of the scheme are already b

Statement to Parliament: Planning for onshore oil and gas

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:56:42 +0000

In this Written Ministerial Statement, Greg Clark highlights how the Department for Communities and Local Government will ensure local planning authorities speed up shale, gas and oil casework.

Press release: Ministers pave way for major Croydon revamp

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:06:44 +0000

A major revamp of Croydon town centre took a step closer today (16 September 2015) after ministers confirmed a compulsory purchase order for the Whitgift Shopping Centre.

The decision paves the way for a £1 billion regeneration in the heart of the borough - a move which will spur further development and bring new custom and business to the town.

Developers Westfield and Hammerson want to completely redevelop the ageing shopping centre, building a modern r

Press release: Brandon Lewis launches expert panel to speed up development

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:42:00 +0000

Planning Minister Brandon Lewis today (15 September 2015) launched a new group of experts to help streamline the local plan-making process.

The 8-strong panel will consider how it can be simplified with the aim of slashing the amount of time it takes for local authorities to get them in place.

This will provide greater certainty to communities regarding plans for new homes and infrastructure in their area, while speeding up the planning process so develop

BREEAM extends coverage of recognised VOC schemes

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

BREEAM has extended its recognition of third party certification schemes for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with the BREEAM criteria for ‘volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels (products)’ with the approval of a number of European-based schemes, including the Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort and Indoor Air Comfort GOLD scheme. This follows the recent approval of North American-based schemes from SCS Global Services Ltd and UL LLC.

News story: Rosh Hashanah: Greg Clark's message

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:34:24 +0000

Rosh Hashanah 2015: Greg Clark’s message

Read the full transcript of the video below:

Shana Tova

The high holy days give us the opportunity to celebrate the life and the contribution of the Jewish community right across the country.

And I’m here today in Liverpool at the Prince’s Road Synagogue, this magnificent building, that for over 100 years has been a centre of

Press release: Home Office Minister with responsibility for Syrian refugees appointed

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 07:00:00 +0000

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Richard Harrington MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State jointly at the Home Office, the Department for Communities and Local Government, and the Department for International Development.

Richard Harrington will be responsible for coordinating and delivering work across government to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK, along with coordinating the provision of government support to Syrian ref

Government response: Syrian refugees: what you can do to help

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 18:19:00 +0000

Updated: Added more info on charities and cash donations.

Since the Syrian crisis began in 2011, the UK has granted asylum or other forms of leave to almost 5,000 Syrian nationals and their dependants. We also operate three resettlement routes, which bring people who have fled their home country to the UK. One of these, the Gateway programme, has run for 10 years and has resettled almost 6,400 people in that time, aiming to resettle around 750 people a yea

Press release: Ministerial Committee for Syrian Refugees

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:51:59 +0000

The Committee, chaired jointly by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, was set up by the Prime Minister to lead cross-government work to house and support the 20,000 Syrian refugees who will be resettled in the UK over the next 5 years.

Find out how the UK government is helping to address the Syrian refug

Speech: Prime Minister: My vision for a smarter state

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:03:00 +0000

Watch the Prime Minister’s speech

I said on the steps of Downing Street, this would be a ‘one nation’ government, on the side of working people. Spreading opportunity, increasing social mobility, helping people to get on – these aims run through this government like letters through a stick of rock. Central to all this is being the government that finishes the job of turning around our economy and clearing

News story: Proposals for further emergency services collaboration announced

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:56:02 +0000

Radical proposals to transform the way the police, fire and rescue and ambulance services work together were unveiled by the Prime Minister today (Friday, 11 September).

The Government has already invested over £70 million in collaboration projects and local areas have shown the benefits of joint-working between the emergency services – but there is more to be done to improve the way they serve communities, cut crime, save lives and provide value for money for t

News story: Landmark devolution bids submitted from right across the country

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:16:11 +0000

major step forward in plans to devolve powers from Whitehall and into the hands of local people and businesses
38 bids already received from major cities and regions from across the country
part of “one nation government’s” plans to rebalance the economy and provide opportunity for all

The most radical shake up of local governance in a generation has taken a giant step forward this week wi

News story: Run your local with £1.5 million Pub Loan Fund

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 08:56:00 +0000

A new £1.5 million fund to help local people take control of pubs at risk of closure is being launched today (11 September 2015) by Community Pubs Minister, Marcus Jones.

The new ‘Pub Loan Fund’ will help community groups take over the running of their much-loved local, by providing small loans to start feasibility work, pay for lawyers’ fees or get materials for refurbishment.

This new fund builds on a number of measures introduced by the government to

Press release: Prime Minister sets out vision for a “smarter state”

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:15:00 +0000

Keynote speech ahead of the Spending Review to address the need for difficult decisions to rebalance the economy
PM makes case for a smarter state with better services and better value for the taxpayer

The Prime Minister will use a keynote speech today to argue that despite difficult decisions ahead to re

New housing concept delivers on cost, quality and sustainability and cuts construction time in half

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Housing decision-makers across the UK will be able to explore the affordable, energy-efficient, quick to build volumetric housing solutions brought to market by Üserhuus AG and Tigh Grian Ltd at the BRE Innovation Park in Watford.

Speech: Brandon Lewis' speech to the RESI housing conference

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 11:38:00 +0000

It’s a pleasure to join you again for my second RESI conference.

We’re back at Celtic Manor, but one small difference from last year is that there is no longer a general election looming on the horizon.

It will come as no surprise that I believe the election result was the best outcome for the housing market and the country.

It removed the threat of rent controls and blanket regulations that would have seriously damaged the private rented sector,

News story: Help to Buy: helping nearly 120,000 buy a new home

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 10:16:00 +0000

Since the launch of the Help to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee schemes:

80% of scheme completions have been made by first-time buyers, with more expected when the government’s Help to Buy ISA launches in December
average house price was £186,000, significantly below the national average
over 110,000 people have bought a home through the scheme
95% of Help to Buy completions took place outside of London
h

Press release: Holocaust Memorial Foundation takes forward Prime Minister's pledge to survivors

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 19:06:00 +0000

Speaking as a guest at the Holocaust Educational Trust’s annual dinner, Sir Peter Bazalgette announces that the Scottish National Party MP and MSP Alex Salmond is to join the Chief Rabbi, Natasha Kaplinsky, Gerald Ronson CBE and New York’s 9/11 Memorial and Museum director Alice Greenwald on the board of the United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Foundation.

After the Foundation was established by the Prime Minister David Cameron with cross-party support in January, n

Statement to Parliament: Syria: refugees and counter-terrorism - Prime Minister's statement

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:32:00 +0000

Introduction

Mr Speaker, before making a statement on counter-terrorism, let me update the House about what we are doing to help address the migration crisis in Europe and, in particular, to help the thousands of refugees who are fleeing from Syria.

This issue is clearly the biggest challenge facing countries across Europe today. More than 300,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year. These people came from

Statement to Parliament: Syria: refugees and counter-terrorism - Prime Minister's statement

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:32:00 +0000

Introduction

This issue is clearly the biggest challenge facing countries across Europe today. More than 300,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year. These people came from

Press release: One week to go to bid for £3 million coastal fund

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 09:47:00 +0000

As the summer season comes to an end, seaside communities are being given the opportunity to bid for funding to smarten up and revive cherished piers, striking icons and atmospheric arcades.

Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois today (7 September 2015) urged communities to bid for a £3 million Coastal Revival Fund to help communities kick-st

Hertfordshire Ride to Work Week is here!

Sun, 06 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Ride to Work Week, an initiative by Love to Ride Hertfordshire which is sponsored by BRE, is a fun, free competition that aims to encourage more people in the county to try riding to work and experience the associated joys and benefits of open air exercise.

Another BIM first for BDP

Sun, 06 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

BDP has continued the company’s trail blazing approach to BIM certification, by being the first in Scotland to be assessed and certificated under BRE Global’s BIM level 2 Business Systems Certification Scheme.

BRE Trust Chairman reviews built environment research outputs and announces new trustees

Sun, 06 Sep 2015 23:00:00 +0000

New BRE Trust Chairman James Wates reviewed the impact and outputs of the UK’s largest charity dedicated to advancing knowledge on built environment through research and education at the annual general meeting of the organisation today.

News story: Brandon Lewis calls on youngsters to build a career in construction

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:26:22 +0000

Mr Lewis said the sector was booming again thanks to government efforts to get the country building and this represented a “great opportunity to carve out a successful and well-paid career.”

The housebuilding industry was devastated by the 2008 economic crash, resulting in the loss of quarter of a million construction jobs.

However, the government has put housebuilding at the heart of its long-term economic plan, leading to a revival of the sector with ho

News story: Points of Light: September 2015 winners

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:32:00 +0000

Updated: Added Points of Light recipient 352: Daniel Payne.

The following people were given a Points of Light award in September 2015 (the numbering continues from August’s winners):

329. Rik Basra (Leicester)

Rik set up the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign with his wife after he was d

News story: New rules will offer stronger protection against unauthorised occupation

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 08:52:00 +0000

Special planning rules designed to support England’s travelling community will only apply to those who lead a genuine travelling lifestyle, under changes that came into force from today (31 August 2015).

The measure is part of a wider crackdown on unauthorised occupation of sites, to ensure all communities are required to abide by the same planning rules.

Under a new

Press release: Enterprise zones boom with thousands of new jobs attracted this year

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 10:44:00 +0000

enterprise zones have now attracted 19,000 jobs to sites across the country
since opening for business the zones are now home to 540 firms
more than 2,000 trainees and apprentices are benefiting from zones, tackling local skills gaps

Enterprise zones are playing a vital role in growing the local and national economy, delivering greater prosperity to our economy and have now attracted more

Press release: New £3.2 million domestic abuse fund now open

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:19:26 +0000

Local authorities will from today (24 August 2015) be able to bid for a share of a £3 million fund to support the victims of domestic abuse said Baroness Williams of Trafford.

In the July Budget a £3 million fund for 2015 to 2016 was announced to address any gaps in the provision of specialist accommodation-based support, and provide support for victims seeking to access these services. T

Press release: Coastal Communities Fund promotes over 10,000 jobs, training places and apprenticeships

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 23:00:14 +0000

fund secures jobs, prosperity and opportunities for young people
regenerating seaside towns to attract visitors and become year-round success stories
unlocking the economic potential of seaside towns remains priority for government

Job prospects are brightening for Britain’s seaside communities as the number of jobs, apprenticeships and training places has passed the 10,000 milestone thanks

Press release: Honour for Trooper Potts marks 1 year of VC paving stone ceremonies

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:58:00 +0000

Over the past year communities across the United Kingdom have been honouring local First World War heroes at Victoria Cross paving stone ceremonies, 100 years to the day they were awarded Britain’s highest military honour.

The commemorative stones - laid in the servicemen’s place of birth or where they lived following the war - provide a lasting legacy to their ‘most conspicuous bravery’. They also enable residents to gain a greater understanding of how their ar

Press release: Fire deaths fall to lowest number on record

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:44:16 +0000

New figures released today (20 August 2015) show that fire deaths in England have continued to fall, with 6% fewer deaths than last year.

This continues a trend that has seen a drop of almost a third (30%) in the last decade. There is also a similar reduction in the number of people injured in fires, which has fallen to less than half the number of casualties in 2004.

This a testament to the success of fire safety campaigns and the hard work done by fir

Press release: Delivering homes for hardworking people

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:32:12 +0000

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis today (20 August 2015) welcomed new figures showing a rise in the number of homes being delivered as proof that the government is keeping the country building and delivering the homes that hard-working people need.

The latest housebuilding figures show that there were over 131,000 completions in the last 12 months, 15% higher than in the previous 12 months and at their highest annual total since June 2009.

Housing Minister

Press release: New plan will boost starter homes in rural areas

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 23:04:32 +0000

Villages and towns in England’s rural communities will be allowed to build starter homes for local residents as part of plans set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, and Environment Secretary, Elizabeth Truss in the Government’s first ever Rural Productivity Plan.

The plan, announced as latest figures show thous

News story: Faster decision making on shale gas for economic growth and energy security

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 23:15:00 +0000

Shale gas planning applications will be fast-tracked through a new, dedicated planning process, under measures announced today (13 August 2015).

Amber Rudd and Greg Clark today announced plans that will ensure local people have a strong say over the development of shale exploration in their area – but will ensure communities and the industry benefit from a swift process for developing safe and suitable new sites.

Today’s measures include identifying counc

Health and wellbeing impacts of lighting revealed in new BRE Trust report

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Asking questions such as, ‘Can LEDs keep you awake at night and damage your brain?’ and ‘Can special lighting help people with dementia?’, an international team of research scientists has reviewed recent research into the effects of lighting on people.

BRE Takes Centre Stage at Official Launch of Scotland Hong Kong Centre for Carbon Innovation

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:00:00 +0000

On Thursday 30 July at the Hong Kong Science Park, Rufus Logan, Scottish Director of BRE, a world-leading building science centre, joined Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh and Nicola Sturgeon, as the First Minister for Scotland announced the official opening of the Scotland Hong Kong Centre for Carbon Innovation (SHKCCI).

Press release: Britain becomes 'brewing powerhouse'

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 23:15:00 +0000

Updated: Added a link to the related Immersive feature

Britain has returned to its rightful role as a global ‘brewing powerhouse’, Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones declared today (11 August 2015), as analysis reveals a new brewery is opening in Britain every other day.

New figures from the British Beer and Pub Association reveals there are now more than 1,400 breweries in Britain.

A surge during the past 2 years has seen breweries open

Press release: Greg Clark gives starter home boost to first-time buyers

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Communities Secretary Greg Clark today (10 August 2015) gave a boost to the government’s starter homes initiative by launching a £26 million fund for housebuilders to demonstrate a range of high quality homes that will be available for first-time buyers.

These will pave the way for the first wave of starter homes and show aspiring young homeowners the different types of properties they can com

BRE takes on leading construction health and safety tool YellowJacket

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Independent building science centre BRE has taken over responsibility of YellowJacket, the leading health and safety tool developed by Mace with a view to increasing its use in domestic and international markets. The tool currently has over 12,000 users working on a range of construction projects across the UK.

Press release: Greg Clark meets with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to discuss devolution of powers

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 13:15:00 +0000

Discussions on new powers that would give greater control to local people across Derby and Nottingham were kick-started today (6 August 2015) at a meeting with Communities Secretary Greg Clark.

A major devolution of power and resources from Whitehall to local areas is taking place across the country with the government determined to put local people who know their area best in control of setting their own course.

Places are being encouraged to come forw

Press release: New Bristol bridge gets minister's seal of approval

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 10:21:00 +0000

A new bridge that will provide a vital life line to the new Arena Island will open up a world of opportunities for businesses, Local Growth Minister James Wharton has said.

The minister saw first-hand how the bridge will connect the area to the rest of the city and further boost the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.

Once completed the £11.3 million bridge, which is being funded by the

Press release: Millions available to help small businesses reach their full potential

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 09:04:00 +0000

local firms across the country to benefit from £2.6 billion funding that will help create jobs and boost skills
funds to be locally-led from the start

Local organisations working with small firms will now be able to apply for a share of funding from the latest round of the European Regional Development Fund.

The funding wi

Press release: Local areas get their say on Sunday trading

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:28:00 +0000

The reforms would give metro mayors and local authorities the power to determine Sunday trading rules that reflect the needs of local people and allow shops and high streets to stay open longer and compete with online retailers.

Local authorities would have the discretion to zone which part of their local authority area would benefit from the longer hours, allowing them to boost town centres and high streets.

Communities Minister Brandon Lewis said:

Press release: New measures to crackdown on illegal immigrants renting properties

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 11:55:00 +0000

quicker eviction of illegal immigrants
blacklisting and banning of rogue landlords
Greg Clark: “We are determined to crack down on rogue landlords”

Measures to be included in forthcoming legislation will ensure anyone without the right to live in this country will find it more difficult to rent a home.

Measures will also be introduced to crack down on the unscrupulous landlords who

BREEAM recognises three VOC schemes

Sun, 02 Aug 2015 23:00:00 +0000

What it means when you serve an eviction notice

Fri, 03 Jul 2015 08:59:38 +0000

The life of a landlord is not just collecting the rent at the end of every month with no problems. Sometimes you can run into difficulties with your tenants that are unresolvable and you are faced with having to serve them an eviction notice. There are many rules that you must follow as a […]

How to survive remodelling your home

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:09:33 +0000

Ask anyone who has stayed in their home whilst they are remodelling what their advice is, they will tell you not to stay in your home during the process under any circumstances. However sometime this is not always an option, especially if you are under pressure financially. Sometimes you just have to deal with the […]

How do I find out the boundaries of my property and obligations?

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:18:02 +0000

There may be some instances whilst you are living in your home that you want to know the boundaries of your property. You may be looking into an extension on your home or you may have some extravagant landscape gardening in mind. It is important that you understand the rules behind property boundaries in the […]

News story: Consumer Rights Act 2015 comes into force 1 October 2015

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:58:00 +0000

Updated: The Consumer Rights Act 2015 has come into force on 1 October 2015, introducing changes to weights and measures and hallmarking.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 has come into force on 1 October 2015, bringing the following changes to weights and measures and hallmarking legislation.

Bread

Bakers of unwrapped and open packed bread are no longer required to keep records of the weight checks they have made on bread. This ha

A History of House Prices in Miami Florida

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:46:19 +0000

Currently, The Miami, Florida housing markets is one of the hottest in the United States and is growing out from the early 2000s housing slump and bubble burst. In 2014 the median home price in the Miami-Dade county region was around $260,000USD. This is still far off from the high experienced in the early 200s […]