Housing reforms top the industry wish list for new government

Further to the emphatic return of the Conservative Party to power, this week’s issue carries several items that indicate the building and construction industry – and within that the glass, glazing and fenestration sector – are looking forward to the next few years with a certain amount of optimism. Analysts Glenigan have stated in their latest response that the newly returned government will have to continue with the housing reforms mooted by the previous coalition but it will need to develop a wider strategy if it is to solve the current severe shortfall in homes. You can read more here.

Elsewhere, we have reiteration from the CPA about their continued desire for more legislation to curb rogue traders. In a recent poll they claim that only 15% of homeowners believe the existing legislation is enough to protect consumers from dodgy tradesmen, while 85% said the law should be stricter. Read the rest here.

We also have comment from glassmaker Pilkington whose customers, in a recent survey, believe that the new government policy makers should be putting an emphasis on new housing, planning laws and skills initiatives. The full story is here.

Finally congratulations to GM Fundraising who held their inaugural Football Fives tournament at St Andrews, the home of Birmingham City on Saturday. The final was fought out between Travis Perkins and MB Frames / Oakley Green Conservatories with Travis Perkins emerging victorious. More here http://t.co/lobmVLzb5I

I hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com or should you wish to contact me directly
tony@the-glazine.com

Tony Higgin Publisher

This Week's News

Tories must stick to housing reforms - Glenigan

The newly returned Conservative Government will have to continue with the housing reforms mooted by the previous coalition but it will need to develop a wider strategy if it is to solve the current severe shortfall in homes, according to industry analyst Glenigan.

Short term political uncertainties have eased following the pre-election slowdown in construction activity, according to Economics Director Allan Wilén, but the new administration poses both threats and opportunities for the industry:

“Over the next Parliament, the UK faces five years of constitutional change with a promised referendum on the UK’s EU membership by 2017, the prospect of further Scottish devolution and potentially a fresh vote on Scottish independence.

“The economic uncertainty posed by the European Referendum, in particular, is a potential threat to private sector investment over the next two years.”

Read the Rest Here...

More homes, relaxed planning, energy efficient refurbs, more training – glazers vote on government wish list

Businesses from across the glass and glazing supply chain have set out their priorities for the new government, with an emphasis on new housing, planning laws and skills initiatives in a survey of Pilkington United Kingdom Limited customers.

Of the respondents, 20% said a long-term plan for construction of new homes was the top priority, followed by 15% calling for a further relaxation in the planning laws for minor alterations to properties.

One in seven (14%) said improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock by incentivising home owners and landlords was their main concern, while support for education and training schemes to inject vital skills into the industry were singled out by 13%.

Read the Rest Here...

Could you be a TrustMark ‘glazing’ director?

TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality scheme, is looking for a new director from the glazing industry to help the newly relaunched consumer body to take ‘the next big step’ in its plans.

Two Board vacancies are coming up, one of which will be for a ‘trade’ director as part of its policy of equal balance of trade and consumer representation.

TrustMark chairman Liz Male said the body is looking for “visionary and determined leaders to join the Board to shape its exciting future.”

“After a transformation of several years which has radically improved TrustMark, its governance, operations and relationships, we are ready to make the next big step in our plans.”

Read the Rest Here...

UK leads the field in PVC recycling

The UK has once again proved itself to be the ‘star performer’ in Europe’s PVC recycling, contributing just over 20% - or 95,525 tonnes – to the total recycled through the industry’s Recovinyl scheme in 2014.

Some 474,411 tonnes of waste PVC was recycled through Recovinyl last year across its 16 European member countries in the Recovinyl network of 160 companies.

Waste PVC-U profiles comprised just over half of the UK’s recycling achievement in 2014, with pipes, rigid and flexible PVC films and cables making up the rest.

“The UK’s achievement is testament to both ongoing commitment from the sector and sustained investment in recycling infrastructure across the country,” said Project Manager Jane Gardner of Axion Consulting, Recovinyl’s UK agents.

Read the Rest Here...

Call for new curbs on rogue traders

Another challenge for the new Government legislators has emerged in a new survey which shows an overwhelming majority of homeowners believe there should be tighter laws to curb the activities of rogue traders.

Only 15% believe the existing legislation is enough to protect consumers from dodgy tradesmen, while 85% said the law should be stricter, according to the poll by the Consumer Protection Association (CPA) carried out in the wake the recent pension reforms which, says the Association, could see the economy ‘flooded with money’ as people are enabled to cash in their entire pension to spend on whatever they choose.

The survey, based on 1,000 homeowners, shows that more than a third (36%) plan to invest in home improvements in the coming year. But it also showed a clear preference for greater consumer protection, not only from rogue traders but also in terms of insurance and guarantees, with 85% expecting their deposit to be protected by insurance and an absolute 100% saying they would prefer to deal with a home improvement company whose guarantees were insured.

Read the Rest Here...