All Comment articles – Page 56
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CommentWhat's driving firms to the wall?
KPMG’s director of restructuring Martin Kelly explains why voluntary insolvency figures have jumped 20%
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FeaturesUcatt: Out for the count?
In 2009 Alan Ritchie was voted leader of Ucatt - put there by 5.3% of its membership. But now the ballot has been ruled void and the union is having to spend its time appealing the decision and salvaging its reputation. How did it get into this mess?
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CommentThe James Review: Now it's up to us
The James Review talks a lot of sense and clarifies what challenges lie ahead. It should inspire architects to use the best of their skills to meet them
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CommentGet defensive
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation could be the industry’s new best friend – at least, for those who play the game right
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CommentA lesson in subeconomics
Cost consultants whisper in their client’s ear, ’take the lowest bid’. But by the time they’ve paid for poor quality products and claims and variations, it just doesn’t stack up
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CommentWhy new build is such old hat
If you want a new building but don’t want to contend with planning permission and delays, consider refurbishment. It’s quick, low risk, cheaper and loads greener
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CommentSustainability on a shoestring
The Budget didn’t do much to raise Pascale Scheurer’s hopes for the future of the industry. Here she considers what has changed and what you can do to mitigate the effects
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FeaturesOxford Street redevelopment: designing our way out of shopping hell
Oxford Street is famous as a shopping destination but nobody really likes it there. We look at how the redevelopment will change this world renowned location, and also why now is the perfect time to give Oxford Street a makeover
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CommentThe Budget: Time to deliver
Last week’s Budget made it clear that the construction industry needs to be more responsive if it is to play an influential role in the UK’s growth strategy
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FeaturesStep 1: Standardise your public building
Efficiency has long eluded the construction industry - but now the government is demanding cuts in costs of up to 20%. So any company wanting public sector work had better think up some pretty clever ways to help make that happen
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CommentUnderstanding nature
The Japanese earthquake and tsunami have reminded us that the environment is core to contemporary architecture. The pity is, we needed reminding
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CommentGrowing pains
It’s Budget week so we have up to the minute analysis of what this year’s Budget means for the construction industry. We also look at the effect the recent events in Japan will have on the nuclear industry and the UK’s new build programme.
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CommentHow clients can protect themselves from contractors that underbid
A legal view on tightening up contract terms and using two-stage procurement to route out unrealistically low bids
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CommentOnce upon a time in the West
We live in turbulent times with the ascendency of the East our most direct challenge. But reports of the death of the West have been greatly exaggerated
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CommentOFT could pay for being over-keen
According to directives from Europe, the OFT’s fines are levied on the basis of companies’ global turnover, not profit
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CommentBusiness planning: home and away
How do you plan ahead and formulate business strategies amid all the uncertainty of political uprisings - and the upcoming Budget?
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Comment
CITB levy: For and against
We hear two opposing viewpoints over whether the CITB construction levy should be axed
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CommentOFT reduced fines: A vindication for construction?
The Competition Appeal Tribunal described the fines as ’excessive’ but that doesn’t mean cover pricing is suddenly okay
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FeaturesWho wants to be in social housing?
Six months on from the collapse of Rok and Connaught, their competitors are scrambling to take their places against a backdrop of cuts and jittery clients. And now the big players are looking to muscle in on the social housing market