The Stories that count

1

The percentage of female students on Foundation Modern Apprenticeship schemes in construction. In a report published last month, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) warned that without urgent action, Modern Apprenticeships will promote gender segregation rather than combat it. The EOC's report also concluded that business sectors dominated by men experienced the worst skills shortages.

This month the EOC launches a campaign highlighting non-traditional job opportunities for women, featuring Lovell plumber Pauline Brown (right). "I don't look at myself as being black or female," she said. "I see myself as a plumber."

35

The percentage of construction bosses who are working between 50 and 70 hours a week, according to a survey by insurer PremierLine.

The firm polled 1400 small businesses and found that 31% of managers in construction work 60 hours a week and 3% spend more than 70 hours at work. People who work in the construction sector are taking less holiday too: 22% took less than 10 days' annual leave and only 30% took the average 20 days or more. One-third of bosses cited administration as the biggest cause of stress, while 19% blamed legislation.

  • The HSC has launched a three-month consultation campaign for proposals to reduce work-related stress. According to HSC, stress accounts for over 13 million days lost in industry every year, and costs the UK £3.7 billion a year.

    718,720

    The number of empty homes in England in 2003, according to the Empty Homes Agency: 603,275 in the private sector and 115,445 in the public sector.

    The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says the government should reduce VAT rates on housing repair, maintenance and improvement in order to help tackle the housing shortage in the UK. The Barker Review of housing said 39,000 new homes a year were needed, so empty homes could meet that demand until 2023.

    At the moment, new house building enjoys zero-rated VAT. The FMB says that reducing the VAT rate for RMI would encourage property owners to get their houses up to scratch and back onto the market, therefore easing the pressure on the housebuilding industry. It also points out that far more social housing could be renovated if VAT were lowered.

    7.1m

    The amount of space, in square feet, under construction in central London, according to the Drivers Jonas quarterly Crane Survey. This is 33% less than six months ago. Drivers Jonas says that this, coupled with the fact there is little speculative development, means there will be hardly any new space coming on to the market before the end of the year. With more companies looking for new premises, this suggests that rents will go up. And that means that developers will – eventually - start building offices again.

    The property firm predicts that rents will start to rise in the West End soon because there isn't much empty office space, but it will take longer to move in the city where there is 12.2m sq ft of office space waiting for tenants.

    Across London, 45% of all space under construction is still available to let - the same percentage as six months ago.

    17.3m

    The amount in pounds Laing O'Rourke will pay for Crown House, Carillion's mechanical and electrical business when the deal is completed at the end of this month. Crown House employs 800 people and turns over £80m. In recent years the M&E firm's turnover has fallen from £220m and its workforce has been slashed.

    Carillion wants to streamline its business, in line with City tastes, concentrating on PFI and services. This deal sees Crown House providing M&E services to Carillion in a framework agreement, as well as the transfer of all live contracts. Laing is moving in the opposite direction, building up its specialist businesses so that it can take on more risk – and potentially make more money – on major projects. Last year Carillion sold Expanded Piling to Laing O'Rourke for £6.3m.

    • Source

    Construction Manager