Construction News

Ed Davey replaces Chris Huhne as new energy secretary

3-Feb-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The government has confirmed that Ed Davey has been named as the new energy and climate change secretary, following Chris Huhne’s resignation this morning.

Oakworth Joinery goes bust

3-Feb-2012 | By Chloe Stothart

UK’s largest independent window and door maker falls victim to downturn

Construction professionals using BIM up 18pc since 2010

3-Feb-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The number of construction professionals using BIM has more than doubled in two years – but 4 out of 5 people believe the industry doesn’t yet understand its meaning.

Travis Perkins says OFT will investigate Toolstation merger

3-Feb-2012 | By Chloe Stothart

Builders merchant tells investors there is “no basis” for the probe

Scottish cladding firm CDW in provisional liquidation

3-Feb-2012 | By Chloe Stothart

Staff dismissed from firm which worked on Burns Monument

Chris Huhne resigns as energy secretary following charge of perverting the course of justice

3-Feb-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

Criminal Prosecution Service concludes there is “sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges” against energy secretary Chris Huhne for perverting the course of justice after claims he asked his wife to accept penalty points over a speeding case in 2003.

London residential construction rockets by 40pc in 2011

27-Jan-2012 | By Luke Cross

Construction in the capital rocketed by 40 per cent in the last year on the back of the Olympics - but the market is already slowing, according to latest research from Drivers Jonas Deloitte.

Mace set to build new £20m Heathrow 2012 terminal

19-Jan-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

Athletes departing from the London Olympic Games will go through a new £20m terminal at Heathrow Airport being developed by Mace.

CH2M Hill named as HS2 delivery partner

24-Jan-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

HS2 Ltd has announced the proposed appointment of CH2M Hill as its development partner for the next phase of engineering, design and environmental work on the first phase of the £32bn scheme.

Autumn Statement: Full list of the 40 priority infrastructure projects

29-Nov-2011 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The government has set out a list of its top-40 priority infrastructure projects as part of the National Infrastructure Plan 2.

Autumn Statement: Industry wishlist names 72 projects to ‘unlock’

24-Nov-2011 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The construction industry has submitted a list to the government of 72 projects worth tens of billions of pounds it would most like to see “unlocked”.

TV presenter Noel Edmonds faces £1m loss after failed property claim

7-Nov-2011 | By Jack Sidders

Television presenter Noel Edmonds is facing losses of up to £1 million pounds after a judge ruled against him on two claims in the construction court.

Costain lands £400m London Bridge contract

1-Nov-2011 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

Costain has been awarded the £400 million London Bridge station redevelopment contract, fending off competition from tier one rivals including Carillion and Skanska.

Exclusive: Bidders revealed for £2.4bn prisons frameworks

18-Oct-2011 | By Jack Sidders

Interserve, Lend Lease, Vinci and Wates lead the way with invitations to tender all four £600m MoJ frameworks.

Treasury and pension funds meet twice a month to answer £20bn infra question

4-Jan-2012 | By Luke Cross

Treasury representatives are meeting with leading pension fund members at least twice a month, with a view to making a public announcement by the 2012 Budget on how they intend to open the gates to UK infrastructure investment.

SFT holds talks with Infrastructure UK on PFI alternative

29-Dec-2011 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The director of finance at the Scottish Futures Trust, responsible for procurement of £2.5bn in Scottish infrastructure where contractor profits are capped, said he is ‘hopeful’ that Treasury officials will consider the model as they search for a replacement for PFI.

Feed-in tariff cuts 'unlawful', judge rules

21-Dec-2011 | By Katie Barker

Friends of the Earth wins legal challenge against government over FITs

Costain FD positive on PFI

14-Dec-2011 | By Luke Cross

The success of the private finance initiative in managing construction costs shows infrastructure can be a safe investment for pension funds, Costain finance director Tony Bickerstaff has told Construction News.

Industry fights for BREEAM-rated schools

27-Jan-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The construction industry is fighting to keep BREEAM-accredited schools after Construction News revealed new schools may no longer have to achieve a ‘Very Good’ standard.

Government considers scrapping BREEAM requirements for schools

24-Jan-2012 | By Tom Fitzpatrick

The Department for Education is proposing scrapping BREEAM requirements for new schools under its £2bn priority schools programme, Construction News has learned.

Private housing offers beacon of hope amid weak forecasts

Last week the world’s leading economists, bankers and policy-makers were at the swanky Swiss ski resort of Davos to muse on what will happen to the eurozone and then what can be done with the detritus at the end of it all.

Recognise – and reduce – your exposure if subcontractors go bust

Jonathan Hook, head of construction and engineering at PwC, suggests what contractors should bear in mind regarding their supply chain exposure.

Updating advice: Shepherd's defeat should be a reminder to contractors

Joanne Kelly is a partner in the construction team at Taylor Wessing

Keepmoat Apollo chief executive shakes up his board

31-Jan-2012 | By Luke Cross

The Keepmoat and Apollo board has been reshuffled a fortnight after Ian Sutcliffe was announced as the new chief executive officer.

Middlesex Hospital revamp wins planning

3-Feb-2012 | By Jack Sidders

Plans for a major mixed use development on the site of the former Middlesex Hospital have been granted permission by Westminster City Council.