THE GRACE PERIOD for compliance with the updated Part L Building Regulations ends today, 15 June 2023. The Part L Building Regulations establish the benchmark for energy efficiency and carbon emissions of both new and existing buildings. They currently serve as an interim solution until the implementation of the Future Homes and Building Standard which
THE UK NET ZERO Carbon Buildings Standard is calling for views from across the industry to create the UK’s first Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard as part of its Technical Update & Consultation. The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard initiative is a joint project including organisations such as BRE, the Carbon Trust, RIBA, RICS
RACHAEL OWENS and Sara Edmonds are appointed as co-directors of the National Retrofit Hub, taking over in mid-July 2023 from Russell Smith, the interim director. Rachael and Sara join at a crucial point in the Hub’s progress towards delivering housing retrofit at scale in the UK. Working closely with the Hub’s chair, Lynne Sullivan OBE,
A NEW NATIONAL CAMPAIGN designed to reward kind-hearted professional tradespeople who have gone above and beyond the call of duty has been launched by a builders merchant. Selco Builders Warehouse has created the Extra Mile Awards to recognise those working in the trade who have given extra support to an individual or a wider local community
A COOL ROOF RETROFIT TASKFORCE has been proposed as part of a review commissioned by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan into London’s preparedness to deal with the climate emergency. The speed and severity of climate change and its resulting impacts in London are increasing at an unprecedented rate. The London Climate Resilience Review is exploring
THE SUPPLY OF rock mineral insulation is now on allocation, as are some roof tiles, according to the Construction Leadership Council’s latest product availability statement in June 2023. Insulation supply is expected to normalise soon with increased production capacity and the restriction of roof tiles is said to be limited to a number of manufacturers. Most
AS ITS SISTER-ARM, the House Builders Association (HBA), prepares to release its report on planning and productivity, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) has issued a damning opinion piece on the UK planning system. It says that last weekend (10-11th June 2023) showed “how backward the UK has become in relation to planning”, as two
CONSTRUCTION SELF-EMPLOYMENT in the UK rose by 14% in recent months – the biggest jump in 15 years, according to the latest employment figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest data shows construction wages are up 6% year on year, but this is still below the inflation rate, currently estimated at around
MORE SOLAR POWER is produced in the summer than any other time – regardless of how hot it gets – according to Solar Energy UK. Clearer skies, longer days and more sunlight add up to mean that significantly more power is produced overall during the summer. With over 14 hours of daylight each day between May
AS TWO HUNDRED cement and concrete industry leaders gather for a major conference in Zurich, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has issued a call to action on concrete carbon emissions. He called on the CEOs of major cement and concrete manufacturers to redouble their efforts, and to work in partnership with
