Training as an apprentice is the best way to learn a trade, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). A survey carried out by the FMB of its members in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week 2012, which takes place between 6th and 10th February, found the apprenticeship tradition was alive and strong among small construction firms.

Providing young people with employment opportunities and making sure a business has people with the right skills were also listed as the top reasons for employing an apprentice by FMB members. However, when asked about the biggest barriers to hiring an apprentice, FMB members ranked ‘a lack of confidence in the economy and future workloads’ higher than anything else.

Brian Berry, FMB Director of External Affairs, said:
“National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic way to promote the benefits of apprenticeships to employers and future apprentices. The apprenticeship challenge in the construction sector is about growing the supply of skilled and qualified workers in line with the industry’s needs. We are very pleased the Government has decided to make apprenticeships a spending priority, but it is employers who are at the heart of the apprenticeship system and it is extremely difficult to anticipate much growth in the number of construction apprenticeships without growth in the industry.”

Berry continued:
“The Government’s proposal for an incentive payment for small employers is welcome but the Government is risking the success of this policy by excluding small businesses with previous experience of training apprentices. These businesses are no less discouraged by the cost of hiring an apprentice, especially at the current time when most small building firms are struggling to maintain workloads. What the Government should be doing is introducing more flexibility into the ‘Small Employer Incentive’ eligibility criteria so that small businesses with a history of employing apprentices are not excluded to the detriment of the young people the Government says it wants to help.”

Berry concluded:
“The Government needs to allow a flexible approach to funding so that the apprenticeship programme really can meet the needs of employers. This means ensuring that reduced levels of funding for 19+ apprenticeships do not hamper progression. 16-18 year old apprenticeship starts should be fully funded through to the ‘advanced’ level 3, regardless of the apprentice’s age upon conversion from level 2 to level 3. If an employer is asked to contribute to the ‘off-the-job’ training costs as well as the employment and supervisory costs, this makes an advanced apprenticeship much less attractive.”

Source: FMB

Get Britain Building is intended to unlock stalled sites with planning permission to support construction activity and provide new homes.  It is intended to address difficulties in accessing development finance faced by some housebuilders and to help bring forward marginal sites by sharing risk.

The programme is open to all private sector organisations which control land and can develop at least 25 homes on the stalled site by December 2014. It is not limited to smaller companies but the HCA has tried to streamline the first stage of the application process to make it easier for all developers to access funding.

We have received a strong response to the Programme with 170 expressions of interest received by the closing date of 12pm Monday 30 January, with many including multiple schemes.  The expressions of interest will now undergo an initial assessment by the HCA – looking at value for money, deliverability and fit with local priorities – with a shortlist of schemes to be established by mid-March.

In addition, we have announced the first 18 schemes to be taken forward to the next stage of the assessment process, to unlock delivery on commissioned schemes which are of high importance to particular communities and can create wider local benefits.  Subject to due diligence and contracting, the 18 commissioned schemes could deliver up to 1,300 new homes, including on public sector sites.

Source: www.homesandcommunities.co.uk

Consumers should avoid being tempted by a cheap cash deal and protect themselves against paying more in the long term, says the FMB in response to comments by the HMRC Permanent Secretary in today’s Telegraph.

FMB Director of External Affairs Brian Berry said:
“We are pleased HMRC is becoming more vocal about the damaging effect cash in hand payments have on individual businesses and the economy at large. Businesses that avoid paying VAT have a 20% head start, but all too often this cheap deal comes without a proper written contract or any kind of paperwork meaning the enforcement of consumer rights is almost impossible if something goes wrong.”

Berry continued:
“The Government can reduce the competitive advantage of these rogue traders and help protect consumers by cutting VAT to 5% for all home repair, maintenance and improvement work. This simple, single action would help reduce the size of the ‘informal economy’ in the home improvement market, which is now estimated to be worth an astonishing £9.3 billion per year.” 

Berry concluded:
“Over 5,000 construction businesses have gone into insolvency since 2010. At a time when the economy is on the brink of tipping back into recession, the Government should be doing everything it can to support legitimate businesses, not adding to the total number of unemployed.  According to research by the analysts at Experian, last year’s rise in the standard rate of VAT to 20% resulted in nearly 4,000 job losses in the home improvement market in 2011 alone.”

Source: FMB

The Government must make construction a priority, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), largest trade association in the construction industry, in response to the latest GDP figures released by the ONS today, which show that construction and manufacturing have dragged the economy back into negative growth.

FMB Director of External Affairs Brian Berry said:
“Today’s GDP results are not surprising, our latest state of Trade survey for the last three months of 2011 showed that workloads in the SME construction sector have declined in each of the 16 quarters to the end of December 2011. Confidence in the building industry has collapsed with only 5% of small building companies expecting workloads to increase in 2012.”

Berry continued:
“The GDP figures release today prove that construction is essential to the health of the UK economy. However the industry needs the Government to adopt a bold approach to reducing the burdens upon it; pursuing the proposed planning reforms and a reduction in the overall burden of developer contributions, which are still making many sites unviable, are urgently needed. Proposed changes to part L of the building regulations must be delayed. The Government must do more to ensure banks return to reasonable rates of lending to the construction sector.”

Berry concluded:
“We realise that money is tight for the Government but if it wants growth in the wider economy it needs to allow construction industry get building.”

Source: FMB

* De-clutter. Too much furniture makes rooms look smaller.
* Move it. Move furniture away from the centre of the rooms – the more floor you can see the more spacious the room will seem.
* Hide it! Make the most of every nook and cranny with bespoke or integrated storage solutions and maximise free living space.
* Co-ordinate. Use one colour scheme (preferably neutral) to give an illusion of space.
* Lighten-up. Replace a picture or two with mirrors, it will really open up the space.
* Double-up.  Multi-functional furniture is perfect for smaller rooms; combine seating with storage for example.
* Toy box discipline. Have a toy box or cupboard that you can put toys in when they aren’t being played with, so they are off the floor and out of the way.

This should get you through Christmas and in the New Year you can make a few plans for remodelling or even extending your home to REALLY make more space!

Source: FMB

Last Story: Case Study: Double Storey Side Extension in Esher, Surrey

Area: Esher, Surrey

Testimonial: I would highly recommended Andrew and his very professional team. They worked incredibly hard, were polite and tied up at the end of each day. The 3 words I would use to summarise Andrews approach is; Professional, Flexible and Fair. Over the 20 week build Andrew always kept us informed, included us in the decision making and highlighted areas for reference – we had no surprises. Post completion snagging has also been undertaken promptly and without hesitation. Thanks to Andrew and his team, we have achieved our vision of a lovely family home. I would happily recommend Andrew and his team.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE JOB PLEASE CHECK THE CASE STUDY BY CLICKING HERE

BEFORE (front)

AFTER (front)

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE JOB PLEASE CHECK THE CASE STUDY BY CLICKING HERE

BEFORE (back)

AFTER (back) TO VIEW THE ENTIRE JOB PLEASE CHECK THE CASE STUDY BY CLICKING HERE

On average each person in the UK currently uses about 150 litres of water every day and much of this is wasted.

Around 30% of the average household heating bill is spent on heating water, costing around £200 per year (even higher if you also use an electric immersion heater.)

Here are some handy hints from the Energy Saving Trust for saving water inside the home:

• Change your head: If a four person family replaces their inefficient shower head with a high flow rate to a water efficient one they could save around £50 off their gas bills and around £75 off their water bills if they have a water meter each year. That’s a total saving of £125.

• Snub the tub: If everybody in a four person family replaces one bath a week with a 5 minute shower they can save up to £10 a year on energy bills and up to £25 on water bills if they had a water meter.

• Turn it off: A running tap wastes over 6 litres of water a minute so turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face and use cold water where you don’t need hot.

• Don’t be a drip: A dripping tap can waste over 5,500 litres of water a year so make sure your taps are properly turned off and change washers promptly when taps start dripping.

Find out more by clicking HERE to go through to the Energy Saving Trust website

Source: FMB

Richard Diment, FMB Director General, responding to today’s speech from the Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, to commit to a VAT cut as part of the Labour Party’s five point plan to revive the UK economy said:

“A targeted cut in VAT for home improvement works makes good economic sense as the total stimulus effects of such a cut would be more than double any net loss to the Treasury as well as helping to create tens of thousands of new jobs.”

Diment continued:

“This policy makes sense on every level. It supports economic policy by creating jobs and generating growth; it supports environmental objectives by helping to bring derelict homes back into use thus taking pressure off the green belt land to provide new housing; and it tackles rogue traders and tax dodgers by reducing their competitive advantage over legitimate businesses.”

Diment concluded:

“Once again we, and our supporters across the ‘Cut the VAT Coalition’, call on the Government to adopt this policy.”

Source: FMB

As MPs prepare to debate the final stages of the Energy Bill, which is the legislation that will introduce the Green Deal, the Cut the VAT campaign supporters have signed a joint statement urging MPs from all parties to ask the Government to reduce the rate of VAT to 5% for all Green Deal approved measures in order to begin to stimulate demand.

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said:

“At a time when energy prices are soaring the need to make our homes more energy efficient has never been so urgent. It is critical that the Green Deal is a success but it needs to be attractive to consumers who may be reluctant to have a ‘charge’ attached to their property. Other incentives are needed to support the Green Deal which is why a cut in VAT for Green Deal energy efficient work makes sense.”

Berry continued:

“ Our homes contribute 27% of the UK’s total carbon emissions and 85% of our existing homes will still be standing in 2050 so it is imperative that homeowners are encouraged to make their homes more energy efficient if the UK is to achieve its legal target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Businesses also need to be reassured that there is demand for Green Deal work if they are to invest in new energy efficient work because in the in the current economic climate many firms can’t afford to start training their workforce until they know there is a growing demand  for energy efficient home improvements. With little more than a year to go before the Green Deal, the energy saving market has to expand fast and wide. A targeted VAT cut would be a great start to stimulate demand and raise awareness of the Green Deal.”

John Walker, National Chairman at Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:

“Confidence among small business owners fell dramatically in the second quarter of the year with businesses in the construction sector not overly confident about their prospects for the third quarter. The FSB is calling for a cut in VAT for Green Deal improvements to help to restore growth in the construction sector and to help the Government achieve its carbon reduction targets. With just over a year until the Green Deal kicks in and as business and household budgets remain squeezed it is vital that the Government begins to incentivise energy efficiency improvements to ensure that the Green Deal is a success.”

Darren Shirley, Sustainable Homes Campaign Manager at WWF-UK said:

“The Green Deal will be the only game in town from the end of 2012 and its success is critical to insulating consumers from rising household energy bills and to meeting the UK’s carbon budgets. With current energy efficiency programmes under-delivering and with the Green Deal not yet looking to be an attractive offer for households the Government must introduce measures that will help drive the market to ensure the Green Deal is taken up. Cutting VAT on energy efficiency improvements as part of a package of incentives is one such measure that will be needed.”

Source: FMB

Mayor Boris Johnson and communities secretary Eric Pickles visited Tottenham today to announce a £20m funding boost to regenerate Tottenham and Croydon after the recent London riots.

The launch of the “London Enterprise Fund” comes after the launch last week of the mayor’s £50m long-term regeneration fund, focusing on improvements to London’s town centres and high streets.

Johnson says he will work closely with local businesses, residents and councils to identify the best way to invest the money to rebuild businesses and properties quickly as well as supporting employment in the areas.

The extra £20m will focus specifically on the regeneration of Tottenham and Croydon – areas Johnson had already identified as priorities, before the further damage caused by the riots.

Johnson said: “We will rebuild and repair every part of our city that has been damaged and help London’s businesses get back on their feet. For the most badly affected areas, Tottenham and Croydon, it is vital we also use the opportunity to deliver long-term improvements and create new jobs and skills that will benefit these communities for generations to come. With this support from government, we can not only restore these town centres but create better, more prosperous places to live, work and invest in.”

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said: “This immediate investment will breath new life into both Tottenham and Croydon and enable them to get to grips with the unique challenges they face but also move swiftly and quickly to maximise their potential for economic success.”

Source: www.building.co.uk