In with the new

So we have a new housing minister as of yesterday, even if only as a bi-product of displacement theory after the elevation of Sajid Javid to the Home Office. His introductory statement, perhaps predictably, cites Grenfell and the shortage of affordable housing as his primary targets. Of course, neither of these ambitions is exactly new but we must take him at his word and hope for an outcome on both of those issues.
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Also this week, the GGF is celebrating a strong influx of new members, which it is crediting to last year’s often controversial restructuring exercise. Read Story

And, still with the GGF, we see that its GDPR seminar proved so much in demand that it has arranged a sequel. As we have said previously, no one knows the extent of the impact the new legislation will have on the industry when it is enacted on May 25 but it is reassuring to see that so many are at least taking it seriously enough to want to know. Read Story

We hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

GGF welcomes 30
in four months

The Glass and Glazing Federation is celebrating a strong start to 2018 with 30 companies joining since January and many more applications in the pipeline.

The organisation says the growth in Membership follows a restructure last year and the subsequent appointments of Shaun McAllister as Managing Director and Richard Hearn as Head of Membership.

Shaun McAllister said: “It is pleasing to see the numbers of companies joining the GGF and we have many more in the pipeline enquiring about joining. As the main trade body for the glass and glazing industry the GGF is constantly talking to more businesses and reinforcing the benefits of belonging and hence more are now joining the GGF.”

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Brokenshire targets Grenfell and affordable housing

James Brokenshire yesterday stepped into his new role as Secretary of State for Housing with a pledge to make the lessons of the Grenfell tragedy one of his top priorities.

Taking over the seat from Sajid Javid, who was elevated to Home Secretary on the departure of Amber Rudd, he said: “I am honoured to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

I am determined to get Britain building the homes our country needs so everyone can afford a place to call their own.
One of my top priorities is going to be ensuring everyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire gets the support they need and we learn lessons from the tragedy so something like this can never happen again.

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Modest upturn in
house prices

UK annual house prices picked up slightly in April to 2.6%, from 2.1% in March, while prices over the month itself rose by 0.2%, after taking account of seasonal factors, according to figures from Nationwide.

Chief Economist Robert Gardner said: “February saw a softening in house purchase approvals to 64,000 cases, following a surprise rise in January. These figures are broadly in line with our expectations and close to the average for the last three months of 2017. Surveyors continue to report subdued levels of new buyer enquiries and recent months have also seen a softening in new instructions.

“Looking ahead, much will depend on how broader economic conditions evolve, especially in the labour market, but also with respect to interest rates. Subdued economic activity and the ongoing squeeze on household budgets is likely to continue to exert a modest drag on housing market activity and house price growth this year. We continue to expect house prices to rise by around 1% over the course of 2018.

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Second GDPR day

The GGF is to host a second GDPR awareness workshop following the sell-out success of its first event earlier this month.

The seminar, again delivered in partnership with cybersecurity and data processing specialist Cybercrowd, will be held at the GGF offices in London on June 14, free to members or £245.00 for non members.

Richard Hearn, Head of GGF Membership and Training said: “Our workshop in April generated a great deal of interest. The topics which generated most discussion included the impact of a ‘subject access request’, ‘accountability obligations’ and the benefits of developing a business plan for GDPR.

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