Mar27th
Friday, March 27th, 2009
Architects are joining the ranks of benefit claimants at a faster rate than any other profession, according to a Guardian analysis of figures for the last 12 months. Office of National Statistics figures show that between February 2008 and February 2009 the number of architects claiming benefits rose by 760% from 150 to 1,290 - the biggest increase among recorded professions. The second biggest increase was among architectural technologists and town planning technicians. (more…)
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Mar21st
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
Despite a marked growth in civil engineering projects since the beginning of 2009, Glenigan forecasts the construction industry will contract by 30 per cent year on year in the first half of 2009. (more…)
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Mar13th
Friday, March 13th, 2009
Wrekin Construction collapsed into administration on Tuesday, with the loss of 500 jobs, after RBS issued a demand for a GBP2.8 million overdraft to be re-paid. Bearing in mind that the bank is over 80 per cent owned by taxpayers after just getting more than GBP45 billion in direct funds, its a scandal that Wrekin’s failure comes as reports suggest that RBS is lending billions to foreign companies. (more…)
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Mar6th
Friday, March 6th, 2009
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) sent Buildingtalk a detailed briefing on the news that broke on Friday about the illegal sale of construction industry workers confidential data to building firms. Following the raid at The Consulting Association’s office, ICO watchdog investigators discovered a database containing details of 3,213 workers, including information concerning personal relationships, trade union activity and employment history. Employers paid GBP3,000 as an annual fee, and more for individual details from the database, the ICO said. Not only was the database held without the workers’ consent, but the existence of it was repeatedly denied. The ICO also uncovered a list of 40 companies who paid for the data, including major UK construction companies. (more…)
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Mar1st
Sunday, March 1st, 2009
Solarcentury sent Buildingtalk details of a new survey by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). The survey showed that 90% of the UK population would buy eco-products if they could generate extra useable electricity. CAT suggest that an enhanced payment for this kind for clean electricity, combined with low interest loans to off-set additional capital expense, would be a better option than the current grant system. (more…)
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