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Electrical supply/power/lighting systems
unit London (£)
Low-voltage distribution XLPE insulated, steel-wire armoured cable with low smoke and gas emission to BS 6724 – four-core    
25 mm2 m 7.50
35 mm2 m 8.00
50 mm2 m 12.00
70 mm2 m 14.50
150 mm2 m 25.00
240 mm2 m 38.00
Clamp, two-piece heavy-duty plastic    
12-16 mm nr 1.60
19-22 mm nr 1.70
25-32 mm nr 1.85
Cable tie, weatherproof nr 1.80
Lighting installations
Insulated cables (non-armoured), with low smoke emission, to BS 7211 – Ref 6491B 		   
1.5 mm2 m 0.65
2.5 mm2 m 0.75
Galvanized box
73 × 73 × 42 mm nr 2.85
133 × 73 × 42 mm nr 5.50
Small power installations
Insulated cables (non-armoured), with low smoke emission, to BS 7211 – ref 6491B		    
6 mm2 m 0.75
4 mm2 m 0.90
2.5 mm2 m 1.15
Fire alarm installations
Mineral insulated cables to BS 6207. Light-duty cable		    
Two conductor, 1.5 mm2 m 7.50
Two conductor, 2.5 mm2 m 8.00
Earthing and bonding
PVC insulated general purpose conduit wiring to BS6004 – single-core non-sheathed cables – ref 6491X		    
16 mm2 m 1.40
6 mm2 m 1.65
Solid copper earth rod, 20 mm m 22.00
Price changes
% change
since spring 2000*
Hardcore +5
In situ concrete +2
Reinforcement +3
Blockwork +2.5
Clay roofing tiles +2.5
Softwood +1.5
Structural steelwork +3
Standard doors and windows +2
Tanking and damp proofing +2
Plasterboard +3
Vinyl flooring +3
PVCu disposal pipes +1
Painting +1
Paving +7
* since the publication of Spon’s 2001 price books
Key indicators
Retail prices index  
Headline rate +1.6
All items, excluding mortgage interest payments – government’s target index +2.2
All items, excluding mortgage interest payments and indirect taxes +2.6
Industry generally  
Materials and fuel purchased by manufacturing industry -0.3
of which: materials -0.8
of which: fuel -4.8
Materials and fuel purchased by manufacturing, excluding food, beverages, petroleum and tobacco industries +0.4
Output prices of manufactured products +0.1
Output prices of manufactured products, excluding food, beverages, petroleum and tobacco +0.2
Construction industry  
Construction materials +1.8
Housebuilding materials +2.1
Machinery and equipment +1.4
Electrical machinery and apparatus +0.4
Source: Office for National Statistics. July 2001 figures are provisional. Machinery and equipment includes items such as pumps, taps, valves, lifts, and cooling and ventilation equipment. Electrical machinery and apparatus includes materials such as electricity distribution and control apparatus, wires, cables and lighting equipment.
Plumbers (England and Wales): New basic hourly rates of pay for main operatives
Since 21 August 2000 £ From 3 September 2001 £
Technical plumber and gas service technician 8.40 9.47
Advanced plumber and gas service engineer 7.56 8.52
Trained plumber and gas service engineer 6.48 7.30
New hourly rates of pay for heating and ventilation operatives
Since 2 October 2000 £ From 3 September 2001 £
Foreman 9.50 10.00
Senior craftsman 7.86 8.26
Craftsman 7.20 7.56
Installer 6.54 6.87
Adult trainee 5.51 5.79
Mate (over 18) 5.51 5.79
Mate (under 17) 2.55 2.68
Modern apprentices
Junior 3.59 3.77
Intermediate 5.07 5.33
Senior 6.54 6.87
Traditional NJIC-based craft apprentices
Year 2 4.25 -
Year 3 5.43 5.70
Responsibility allowance
Craftsmen
Second welding skill or supervisory responsibility (one unit of responsibility allowance) 33 35
Second welding skill and supervisory responsibility (two units of responsibility allowance) 66 70
Senior craftsmen
Second welding skill 33 35
Supervisory responsibility 66 70
Second welding skill and supervisory responsibility 99 105