News

Buy-to-let landlords need to think like savvy entrepreneurs rather than leaving the performance of property investments to chance, says a specialist with the UK200Group of independent chartered accountants and lawyers. Earlier this month, a report by buy-to-let specialists Platinum Property Partners revealed that 93 per cent of buy-to-let investors had no five-year business plan, even though a key factor in their investment was to secure retirement income. Some commentators have suggested that a new surge in buy-to-let investment could be around the corner, with the much greater freedom of access to defined contribution pension pots that savers will enjoy from April 2015 – including taking out all their pension funds if they wish – potentially triggering interest in property …

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Watch the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) video to find out all about its history, its Royal Charter and the people behind the scenes. Learn about how CIAT is the lead qualifying body for Architectural Technology and represents those practising and studying within the discipline. CIAT qualifies Chartered Architectural Technologists (MCIAT), and professionally qualified Architectural Technicians (TCIAT). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onhotbzP464

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MBDA obtains innovation award while 3D animation games designer and food group also among winners A weapons company that has developed an air-launched missile suitable for firing in urban environments, a food group which has encouraged the consumption of beetroot and a 3D animation games designer are among the diverse range of businesses to receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise on Monday. More than 160 firms overall have received the prestigious prizes this year in three categories of international trade, sustainable development plus innovation, according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Hertfordshire-based MBDA obtained an innovation award for converting the Brimstone anti-armour missile into a dual purpose weapon to be used by crews flying RAF Tornado jets. The extension gives the aircraft the …

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David Cameron and George Osborne claim the infrastructure programme will support more than 150,000 construction jobs David Cameron and George Osborne made a rare joint appearance recently to publicise an infrastructure programme that they claim will support more than 150,000 construction jobs. Visiting a transport project in the east Midlands, the prime minister and the chancellor said that more than 200 infrastructure projects are due to be completed in 2014-15, and that more than 200 infrastructure projects are due to be started over the same period. The schemes are ones that have already been itemised in the government’s national infrastructure plan, but Cameron and Osborne are keen to publicise them in order to demonstrate their commitment to what the Conservatives describe as their “long-term economic plan”. They have tended to avoid joint appearances in …

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House building grew for a 15th month in April, the longest period of continuous growth since 2006/07 UK house building is enjoying its longest run of growth since before the financial crisis in a further sign of Britain’s booming property market. Housing construction grew for a 15th month in April, the longest period of continuous growth since 2006/07 according to the Markit/CIPS construction PMI. Activity in the broader construction sector, which also includes commercial property and civil engineering, grew for the 12th month in a row but at the slowest pace in six months according to the PMI, with the headline index slipping to 60.8 from 62.5 – anything above 50 signals expansion. The figures suggest growth in the sector – which accounts for about 6% of the economy – …

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Staff at a builders merchants in Sussex got a shock when they discovered a nest of Great Tit chicks in a stack of bricks. The chicks’ mother had built the nest in what she thought was a safe and secure place – not knowing that the bricks would be moved 270 miles from Leeds to the Ringmer branch of Chandlers Building Supplies. Chandlers’ staff took the nest to the nearby Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare where the wildlife hospital team has been caring for the chicks. Cassie Tong, wildlife team member at Raystede, said: “The five little birds were very cold and hungry; it’s amazing that they survived. “The first 48 hours were critical, but all five have made it and they’re all eating well. “They will now be …

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Public sector procurement consortium LHC is on the hunt for firms involved in the design, manufacture, supply and erection of offsite building systems for social housing. The group aims to launch later this year a New Homes framework of key off-site homes suppliers for housing association and council clients. The framework will be available via two work streams, one for volumetric build and the other for panelised systems. This will provide customers with choices that consider the flexibility of design, transportation, site access, projects in planning and integration with existing build programmes. The framework will be available through eight lots across England, Wales and Scotland reflecting expected social housing building volumes. The tender will be weighted 70% on quality and 30% price and will consider project …

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The bid race has started for a £9m deal to refurbish part of the House of Commons. Officials are looking for a contractor to carry-out upgrade work on the building at 1 Canon Row. The Grade II listed building “will be brought up to a standard suitable for use as office accommodation and also fulfill Parliaments public duty of care to maintain the architectural and historical significance of the building.” Works will include the replacement of mechanical and electrical services and the insertion or alteration of internal walls and doorways, external and internal repairs and full redecoration. A key part of the job is the insertion of a lift and stair core. Up to six firms will be shortlisted for the work and firms have …

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Borders Railway has marked the first anniversary of BAM’s £295m contract with a raft of facts and figures – including details of the site team’s breakfast habits. The 866 directly employed staff on the job have tucked-away 25,000 bacon rolls during the last year. The butties have helped the team work 2.1 million hours, completing 44% of the work on the 30mile long route. Workers have also: Moved 804,000 tonnes of earth Used 400 tonnes of grouting as part of mining remediation work Installed 25.6 km of drainage works Worked on 104 bridges including 12 footbridges, 39 overbridges and 53 underbridges Installed 22,800 m³ of gabion baskets to support embankments and cuttings Hugh Wark, project director, Network Rail said: “We have achieved a lot over the past year and, one year on, it’s good to take …

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Morgan Sindall and Willmott Dixon are set to land contracts worth £28m to build three new schools in Liverpool. A report to the council’s cabinet today is recommending that new homes for Northway Primary School in Childwall and New Park Primary School in Kensington are built by Morgan Sindall at a cost of £5.5m per school, and Willmott Dixon constructs Archbishop Blanch Church of England High School for £17.5m. Both primary schools will be rebuilt on the playgrounds of their existing sites while Archbishop Blanch will move to a new purpose-built site in Picton. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “This is a much-needed investment in three schools which desperately need it and is part of my commitment to deliver at least 12 …

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