In  this month’s podcast, housing editor Joey Gardiner talks to Liz Peace about Labour’s and the Conservative’s election manifestos. She describes Labour’s efforts as “a disappointing read” and the Torie’s planning policies as “needing a lot of work

Also on the election, deputy web editor Chloe McCulloch asks Jack Pringle, a traditional Labour voter, about his view of the pros and cons of the three main parties. Plus Simon Lewis, construction lawyer from Dickenson Dees, warns firms to prepare for the Bribery Bill, which could comes into force in sixth months time.

In this month’s podcast, Building’s deputy web editor Chloe McCulloch talks to three people about the campaign (the name of which stems from the fact that the LEK report showed that every £1 spent on construction leads to £2.84 of GDP).

Our speakers are:

• Deputy editor Sarah Richardson, who explains the thinking behind the campaign, its five main aims and how readers can demonstrate their support
• John Bale, Professor Emeritus of Leeds Metropolitan University, talks about ways in which construction can improve value for money for the next government, including less ‘iconic’ design and opting for refurbishment where possible
• Stephen Ratcliffe, director of the UK Contractors’ Group, on why he is so convinced by the economic argument in the LEK report for investment in construction.

In an interview with Alex Smith, our web editor, Brian warns that the estimates for construction may be subject to later revisions by the government, and suggests that the real bounce-back won’t be seen until 2012.

We also pay tribute to the career of Alan Cherry, founding director of Countryside Properties, who has sadly died aged 76. Joey Gardiner, assistant editor, talks about his pioneering projects such as the Greenwich Millennium Village and how industry figures have all expressed their deep sadness at the passing of a great housebuilder and businessman.

In this month’s podcast from Building magazine we have three separate interviews on a range of construction-related topics:

• The state of the housing market was the subject of an online live text debate with our readers. Building’s news editor Joey Gardiner and Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, discuss the most pressing themes raised by contributors.
• Architect Rick Mather talks about his extension design for Oxford’s Ashmolean museum with Alex Smith, Building’s web editor.
• Alex also catches up with poet Ian McMillan at Cabe’s 10 year anniversary party.

Today Building’s podcast analyses announcements made at the Conservative Party Conference that could affect the construction industry.

Listen to reporter Olivia Boyd talk about Tory policies with Graham Kean, at EC Harris and Michael Ankers, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, about the promise to take power away from central government in favour of local authorities.

The discussion covers:

• Whether local authorities are equipped to deal with the extra responsibilities
• The impact of localism on planning and reaching housebuilding targets
• How planning for major projects will be affected
• Whether this will reverse trend toward centralism in procurement.

Building’s new podcast launches today focusing on the decision by the Office of Fair Trading to fine 103 construction firms a total of £130m.

Hear assistant editor Roxane McMeeken speak to Martin Baker, a competition partner at Taylor Wessing and Chris Hill, a construction partner at Norton Rose. The discussion covers:

• Severity of the fines
• Likelihood clients will pursue contractors for compensation
• Opportunity for firms to appeal against the OFT decision
• Threat of criminal sanctions against some company directors who could face disqualification.