Home improvements boosting construction work, says FMB

Repair and maintenance work is supporting recovery in the construction sector, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to today’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The recovery in the construction... View Article

Driving up Standards on Fire Door Safety

Over a year ago, in October 2019, Sir Martin Moore-Bick made a number of recommendations in conclusion to Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which he chaired. His aim was for these recommendations to be adopted by owners and managers of... View Article

Whole-life carbon assessment – the only practical path towards Net Zero

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), penned an article about the importance of ‘getting retrofit right’ for the report Why timber is leading construction’s Net Zero recovery, published by the Confederation of Timber Industries in the Summer. In this article, Helen... View Article

City limits

Set in a triangular mews in north London, a quirky mixed-use project offers privacy and bright spaces despite a tight urban context. Jack Wooler spoke to architects Tom Byrne and Simon Lilley to get their take on the scheme The... View Article

Look Up and Be Inspired

Metal mesh is an extremely versatile product and can be used for a variety of different applications. Although common uses of metal mesh include balustrade infill panels, façade systems, or the ubiquitous radiator grille, they are now also a popular... View Article

NHF calls on sector to adopt its tenant engagement charter

The National Housing Federation is asking all English housing associations to adopt its new resident engagement charter and make themselves more accountable to their tenants. Together with Tenants, was an initiative set up in response to the Grenfell Tower fire... View Article

Two associations regain their governance compliance ratings

A Liverpool based social landlord has regained its compliance rating from the regulator two years after being down-graded over widespread health and safety failings. The Livv Housing Group, formerly known as Knowsley Housing Trust, was found to be non-compliant in... View Article

Large Yorkshire landlord handed governance downgrade

A 22,000-home landlord had its governance rating downgraded by the Regulator of Social Housing after owning up to not correctly implementing rule changes within its group structure. Yorkshire-based Incommunities Group was downgraded from ‘G1’ to ‘G2’, meaning it is still... View Article

Allocations made for 3,300 homes for rough sleepers

The Government has allocated more than £150m to pay for more than 3,000 permanent homes aimed specifically at getting rough sleepers off the streets and provided with specialist support. In all some 276 schemes have been approved across England, including... View Article

Claims of professional negligence made at Grenfell inquiry

The Grenfell inquiry’s fire safety expert has said the advice given by specialist fire engineers during the design stage of the tower block’s refurbishment, amounted to professional negligence. Exova was employed to put together the fire strategy for the refurbishment... View Article

Grenfell inquiry hears of questionable behaviours

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has continued to reveal a series of questionable behaviours by key participants in the refurbishment project which ultimately resulted in 72 people losing their lives. Actions by a number of staff at... View Article