Nicky Rogers (Editorial)
Nicky Rogers - Master Builder Editor
We need a new business environment to encourage innovation and enterprise
Prior to the General Election which we now know has been called for 6 May 2010 the FMB launched its General Election Manifesto to very positive response from MPs, peers and politicians.
‘Building for Success – A Programme for the 2010 Parliament’ focuses on three key issues of skills and training, the green agenda and the need to create a new business environment to help small businesses. It was launched at Westminster on 23 March to over seventy delegates from across the construction sector...
Read the full article in this months issue.
Speaking at the launch FMB Director General, Richard Diment said: “The FMB is committed to helping the next Government create the conditions for a sustained economic recovery. The building industry which employs nearly three million people and contributes eight per cent of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is an important driver to help the UK get back on its feet. Measures to help support skills and training must be at the forefront of the next government’s agenda. This should include reform of the public procurement to ensure that only those contractors who employ apprentices are on approved procurement lists for public sector work. In addition targeted incentives need to be provided to encourage more employers to retrain apprentices.” He continued: “There is also an urgent need to retrofit our existing homes to help make them more energy efficient which will not only help reduce carbon emissions but help tackle the growing problem of the five million people now living in fuel poverty. Mandatory refurbishment standards need to be established that are consistent with the UK’s legal commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. We also need to reduce the amount of construction waste which would be best achieved by providing more recycling sites across the UK.
“For small building firms to prosper they need an environment in which they can operate without excessive control, regulation and taxation. In short we need a new business environment that will encourage innovation and enterprise. One important way this can be achieved would be to reform the planning system to make it simpler, faster and more efficient.
Email: nickyr@warnersgroup.co.uk
Tel: 01778 391128
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The benefit of this would be to encourage more house building at a time when we are building fewer homes than at any time since 1947.”
He concluded: “The UK is at an important crossroads because the decisions taken by the next Government will have a profound and lasting impact on the British economy. It is essential that the next Government supports and encourages the important role that small building firms play in the economy. All that is needed is the political will to ensure we build for success and deliver the built environment that future generations will look on with pride.”
Reclaiming old London Stock bricks
One More Thing
FMB member, Marble Construction Ltd of Farnborough, Hampshire has begun the complete renovation of a Victorian property in Clapham, South London. So far, so unremarkable, but here’s the twist – this full house, eco-refurbishment of a large end of terrace property, including a new extension, basement and loft conversion will transform it into an A+ energy rated building.
Marble Construction will take thousands of pictures as the job progresses, including some with a thermal imaging camera which will allow accurate before and after analysis of heat loss.
Two ‘plant cams’ will take still photographs of the property from two angles every 15 minutes during daylight hours over the duration of the build, these will then be edited together to make a short film for the Marble Construction website. We’ll keep you posted on progress over the coming months.
This project will be entered into the 10th Master Builder of the Year awards. If you have a project which was completed between 1 August 2008 and 31 August 2010 which you’d like to enter call 020 7092 3870, email nadiagatter@fmb.org.uk or register on-line.
