Month in numbers

20

The percentage by which the cost of damage from flooding and coastal erosion could rise over the next century if we don't get a grip on global warming, according to a panel of 60 experts.

The study says that the figure could be cut drastically if emissions of greenhouse gases were reduced. It adds that the damage wreaked by climate change on coastal and riverside communities could soar to £20bn per year from current levels of £1bn per year. The communities likely to be worst affected are in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and the South East. The study is called The Foresight Flood and Coastal Defence Project. It examined the possible risks and mechanisms of flooding.

SOURCE: www.bbc.co.uk

60

The rise in price in pounds Sterling per tonne of steel, announced by Corus last month. This increase, caused by China's massive building boom, comes on top of two increases amounting to £53 already this year. It means that the price of steel has risen by a third.

The increases will raise the cost of steel frame by 20%, or 2% of the whole building, according to the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA).

Corus has warned that further rises are on the cards. BCSA has predicted these rises will come in August and October this year, leading to a 50% increase on steel-based products by the end of the year. Rebar, mesh, sections, plate and coil will also be affected.

The cause of the increases is China's rapid economic growth. Demand for steel to meet the demand of its booming construction industry is pushing up the prices.

87

The percentage of English councils, of 62 surveyed by the Specialist Engineering Contractors' (SEC) Group, which do not plan to scrap retentions over the next two years. In Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man all 15 councils use (and will continue to use) retentions.

The survey found that retentions money is being used to finance councils' capital projects, rather than being held in trust as suggested by the JCT form of contract. Salford Council said: "Budgets are allocated on the basis that a retention will be deducted so indirectly retentions are used to finance capital projects."

SEC chief executive Rudi Klein aims to end this practice. His group wants councils to reduce the need for retentions by using reputable firms and, where retentions are used, to put them in trust so that subcontractors will have some form of protection if firms go bust.

3000

The additional cost per house, in pounds Sterling, if the government goes ahead with plans to impose energy efficiency measures on new homes in growth areas such as the Thames Gateway. The measures, which could include the need for wider cavities, improved floors, roofs and windows, wet-plastered wall finishes and a ventilation system, would cut carbon emissions by 25% above what is required by Part L.

The recommendations come from the government's Sustainable Buildings Task Group which was set up at the Better Buildings Summit last October. Its remit is to look at how industry and government can improve the quality and sustainability of new and existing buildings. The group will hand over a report next month making a number of recommendations on how policy affecting housebuilding should change.

1m

The cash in Amec chief executive Peter Mason's pay packet, making him the best-paid boss in construction. Well actually it's £1.021m. His pay rose 42 per cent up on the previous year and includes a £356,000 performance-related bonus.

Iain Napier was the second-best well paid, taking home £950,000, and Carillion's John McDonough got £619,000, according to Construction News' top 20 salaries ranking.

The average chief executive's pay packet last year was £443,489, up 3.5% on the previous year. Workers received a 3% rise to get an average wage of £26,268.

Of the 20 firms with the best-paid bosses, employees at Costain are the best–paid with average salaries of just under £35,000 per annum. At the bottom end of the scale is Mitie. Its boss Ian Stewart took home a bumper pay packet of £493,000, while his average employees' wage is just £9,620.