January 2007 News from the UK

Update: Timber Frame, Construction & Property News

• Building Regulations - Part B changes announced

The Government has announced details of revisions to Part B of the Building Regulations dealing with fire safety. The new Approved Document B will come into force on 6 April 2007. Commenting on the announcement, the DCLG Minister responsible, Angela Smith MP, said:

'This package represents better, more focussed regulation that will deliver real benefits for both occupants and fire fighters alike. Indeed the review that led to the changes looked at fire safety in all types of premises including dwellings, residential care homes, public buildings and warehouses. It also considered the important role sprinklers and other types of fire protection measures may have, particularly in buildings where the occupants are most at risk from fire.'

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News: Environment, Climate & Attitudes

• FSC reserves judgement on Government approach to assure legal and sustainable sources of timber.

On Monday the Government announced that timber processed through five forest certification schemes now give satisfactory assurance of being legally logged from sustainably managed forests. Thus three more schemes have been added to the original two that were approved in 2004.

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• Contaminated Land & Construction - Review of the Year 2006

From fears over the environmental impact of England's housing boom to the prospect of losing greenbelt land to new developments, the contaminated land and construction sector was full of controversy this year as housing pressures continued to mount.

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News: Society, Community & Responsible Business

• Rise and fall of the meritocracy

Labour’s attempt to engineer social mobility has just created new inequalities, says Geoff Dench

Two reports unveiled last week confirm that new Labour is not on course to create an open, classless society in Britain. The latest British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey shows class divisions still play a significant role in people’s consciousness. What has excited most commentary is that, in spite of the decline in manual labour and a supposed shift to meritocracy, the majority of people still identify themselves as working class

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News: Finance & Economy

• Mortgage repossessions leap 65%

Mortgage repossessions leapt 65% last year to 17,000, the Council of Mortgage Lenders said today as it predicted a further rise this year on the back of higher interest rates

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