Housing benefits

Article Abstract:

The UK government is to make five billion pounds sterling available for public housing programmes. UK Housing Minister Hilary Armstrong is keen to see more private sector housebuilder involvement in these programmes. The government has already released 800 million pounds sterling of this sum, but Armstrong agrees with housebuilders' claims that local authorities have used much of this in refurbishment programmes, which use directly employed labour, rather than in new-build schemes. However, she believes that a new initiative will give private contractors more opportunity to compete in this area.

United Kingdom, Finance, Housing, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Public housing, Armstrong, Hilary

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Green house effects

Article Abstract:

UK architect Bruce Buchanan has designed an environmentally friendly house which he estimates would cost 100 pounds sterling a year to heat. The house cost 180,000 pounds sterling to build and savings on heating costs equate to 70% on a similarly built house without energy saving construction. Buchanan used a kit build timber framed house, which he incorporated with features to reduce heat loss and promote the use of recycling. Solar panels generate power for heating water, while heat-recovery system provides inside heating.

Methods, Residential construction, Environmental aspects, Buildings, House construction, Buchanan, Bruce

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NAO queries role of best practice bodies

Article Abstract:

The National Audit Office is investigating whether government initiatives to improve industry efficiency are a waste of money. The move follows the creation of a number of organisations with similar functions, such as the Construction Best Practice programme, which cost 2 million pounds sterling; the Movement of Innovation, costing 1.5 million pounds; and the Construction Industry Board, costing 500,000 pounds sterling.

Construction industry, Investigations, Associations, Independent regulatory commissions, United Kingdom. National Audit Office

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