DEBATE: Is the focus on modern methods of construction to increase housebuilding misplaced? June 24, 2019 Is the focus on modern methods of construction to increase housebuilding misplaced? Chris Stanley, housing manager at Concrete Block Association, says YES. The current media excitement around modern methods of construction, particularly modular, is largely a result of favourable public funding schemes. To solve the housing crisis, the government needs a far more considered, holistic [...]
Kier shares plunge on housebuilding unit sale reports June 14, 2019 Shares in construction company Kier plunged more than 30 per cent today following reports that the outsourcer is preparing to sell its housebuilding unit. Shares fell from 205p to 136.28p after it emerged that the embattled firm has been in talks with advisors over selling the business. Read more: Kier shares rally after plummeting on [...]
Kier shares rally after plummeting on profit warning June 5, 2019 The construction outsourcer’s market value fell 41 per cent at the start of the week. Investors fled after Kier Group admitted it would still be in the red at its interim results in September. It had previously said it would pay off its net debt by then. Read more: Kier Group share plummet 40 per [...]
‘Stuck in the ice age’: Construction industry jobs fall at fastest rate in six years June 4, 2019 Britain’s construction industry suffered yet another blow in May, as the sector lost workers at the fastest rate since 2012. Read more: House building props up construction industry The sector remains in the grip of Brexit uncertainty, analysts warned this morning. This has reduced workloads and made firms reticent to replace departing staff, according to [...]
House building props up otherwise struggling construction industry as sector returns to growth May 2, 2019 Britain’s construction industry grew again in April after two months of contraction, driven by the fastest rise in house building so far in 2019. Read more: Eurozone construction sector bounces back in February after weak January The construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 50.5 in April, compared to 49.7 in March, bouncing back from [...]
‘Wake-up call’: Germany downgrades 2019 economic growth forecast to just 0.5 per cent April 17, 2019 The German government today once again slashed growth predictions for its economy, saying it now foresees a GDP increase of just 0.5 per cent in 2019, compared to the 2.1 per cent it predicted a year ago. Read more: Eurozone manufacturing sector contracts with Germany shrinking fastest Economy minister Peter Altmaier said new car emissions [...]
Brexit uncertainty has cost the UK economy £66bn, says S&P April 4, 2019 Brexit has cost the UK economy £66bn in lost growth, according to ratings agency S&P. Had the UK voted to remain in the EU in 2016s referendum the economy would have been three per cent larger by the end of 2018, the group’s report said. Read more: Brexit delay wins MPs' support by a margin [...]
Wates Group profits on the rise as construction firm battles Brexit fallout March 21, 2019 Construction firm Wates Group’s profits rose slightly last year as it battled against a downturn in work caused by Brexit. The UK’s largest family owned construction firm said it had continued improving profit by sticking to its core sectors and regions, as it went into 2019 with a record order book. Read more: MJ Gleeson [...]
BBC failings to blame for Eastenders set revamp delay, report finds March 20, 2019 The delayed and over-budget project to rebuild the Eastenders set was doomed from the start due to management failings by the BBC, a government report has found. A damning report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), published today, states the BBC underestimated the scale and complexity of the E20 project, which is now £27m over [...]
Marshalls shares race to record high: What now? March 19, 2019 | City Talk Up 78 per cent since we backed them, the shares are still not expensive and the business is in great shape. Marshalls (LSE:MSLH) is an easy company to like. It makes things we all use on a daily basis, and it makes them well. Despite Brexit and a weak construction sector, its concrete paving slabs have [...]