Construction News

The new chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency and former Infrastructure UK chief has told Construction News he’s been “pleasantly surprised” by the openness of central government to his input

The new chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency and former Infrastructure UK chief has told Construction News he’s been “pleasantly surprised” by the openness of central government to his input, and “impressed” with the organization of housing groups in lobbying Westminster.

Housing group Grainger has built a number of “new strategic alliances” to position the company for growth, after posting declining profits and revenues.

Scape is seeking partners for its four-year regional frameworks, covering new build, refurbishment and maintenance across a number of sectors.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has told Construction News financial negotiations with the Treasury are giving contractors an edge “they do not need to have” in infrastructure and housing projects, leading to higher procurement costs.

Willmott Dixon will aim to spend 60 per cent of project budgets on companies within a 20 mile radius of each Scape site to create jobs locally.

Contractors and London boroughs must work together to train young people and prevent a serious skills shortage, the London Assembly has heard.

Land Securities has given the green light to Mace to start working on phase one of the £768 million Victoria Circle scheme.

Mears Group expects Morrison to deliver a break even result for the first half-year of 2013 – before the “exceptional cost” of integration – ahead of earlier expectations.

Mears Group expects Morrison to deliver a break even result for the first half-year of 2013 – before the “exceptional cost” of integration – ahead of earlier expectations.

Northern social housing regeneration firm Forrest had a “landmark” year in 2012 after turnover grew 49 per cent to £100m.

Northern social housing regeneration firm Forrest had a “landmark” year in 2012 after turnover grew 49 per cent to £100m.

Three developers are competing to join forces with Hammersmith & Fulham Borough Council on a 15-year housing and regeneration project.

The Office for National Statistics has announced that it will seasonally adjust monthly construction output data, with the change first applied to May 2013 output figures.

The Office for National Statistics has announced that it will seasonally adjust monthly construction output data, with the change first applied to May 2013 output figures.

Private commercial output in the first three months of this year fell to its lowest level since the final quarter of 1997, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Private commercial output in the first three months of this year fell to its lowest level since the final quarter of 1997, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Construction output has declined by 6.5 per cent in Q1 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Barratt has hailed the housing market as being at its most bouyant for five years having already seen 400 reservations through the Help to Buy scheme in the first month since it was launched.

Barratt has hailed the housing market as being at its most bouyant for five years having already seen 400 reservations through the Help to Buy scheme in the first month since it was launched.