Opinion – Page 332
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Comment
Stamp duty - a tax rise that looks set to win votes
There is obvious glee within the housing market about the prospects of a two-year period free of stamp duty for those first-time buyers who purchase properties worth less than £250,000.The £250,000 threshold captures practically all of them, with significantly less than 10% of exceptions that will be mainly resident in ...
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Comment
Comforting data ahead of the budget
As the Chancellor Alistair Darling puts his final touches to the Budget he will be relieved by the recent spate of comforting data.Last Wednesday we had employment statistics showing that the unemployment was falling.On Thursday the figures on public finances were far healthier than expected, with the Institute for Fiscal ...
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Comment
Focus on the here and now Mr Darling
With the sound of warnings from the European Commission ringing in Alistair Darling’s ears that his plans to halve the UK’s £178 billion deficit in four years “lacks ambition”, just what should be announced in Wednesday’s Budget?What is likely is that it won’t contain as much detail as many, including ...
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Comment
Tax, tax, tax and more tax – a rallying cry for construction
This is a rant.Why? Because I can't help myself. I tried to hold back.I read the first three chapters of the Low Carbon Construction Innovation & Growth Team emerging findings and I am now deeply saddened.I didn’t bother with the remaining chapters, but did eyeball the recommendations.I was not saddened ...
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Comment
Unspoken risks
Managing the issue of violence in the workplace can begin with simple steps to identify and managing policy
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CommentStarving artist syndrome
The BA saga might be giving unions a controversial reputation, but a more organised workforce wouldn’t go amiss in the architecture profession right now
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Comment
Mipim 2010: More business, less champagne
Sitting on the terrace at the Villa Francia, waiting for the airport transfer, I wonder - what to make of the 2010 vintage? Well, for one thing it has been the coldest Mipim I have been to for a long time.Anyone sitting on the Riviera seafront in the sunshine for ...
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CommentHansom: Dog eat dog
The law of the jungle rules this week, whether you are competing for the affections of a French firm, or in a talent-contest-style selection process – or just acting like a guerrilla
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Comment
How do I… manage my litigation costs?
Litigation is an expensive business, but there are steps you can take to reduce the final bill
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Comment
Third party pooper
The Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act empowers third parties to enforce contractual terms. Yet in the 10 years it’s been around, it has had hardly any effect
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Comment
The true cost of installing a boiler
Some people have asked why I said the cost of replacing a boiler was likely to be nearer £5,000 than the £1,367 you suggested (22 January, page 24) or the retail cost of about £750
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Comment
Broadcasting to the Beeb
The BBC has criticised construction firms for “wasting resources and duplicating effort” (5 March, page 9), yet in the past 18 months we have seen more than 300 organisations from across the industry commit themselves to halving construction waste sent to landfill by 2012
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Comment
Building's bloomer
I read with interest your article on the BBC’s attack on UK construction (5 March, page 9)
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CommentDoes anything eat psyllids?
Oh dear. Nothing in this article mentions predators for the psyllids (“Knotweed under attack as biologists release killer beetles,” 9 March, building.co.uk)
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Comment
Safe as houses
May I add to the comments made in Geoff Arnold’s letter on behalf of the UK Timber Frame Association (12 March, page 26)?
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Comment
Too much capital
Good to see proposed infrastructure projects (“High-speed rail network proposals revealed”, 11 March, building.co.uk), but I notice that the emphasis is on improving transport to and from London. There are high-speed rail networks to and from London already in existence
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CommentThe next 40 years starts now
The government’s proposals for a low carbon economy are going to keep construction busy for years – if it can develop the leadership and the vision to respond to them
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CommentWonders & blunders - 19 March 2010
Michael Fish is blown away by the majestic Palace of Westminster, but feels chilled to the bone whenever he walks past Centre Point in London’s West End
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Comment
Hot spots and packed pubs on St Patrick's day
Last night was a busy one. The evening kicked off with a catch up with Archial for a Building Buys a Pint. Within 5 minites if sitting down i had heard one of the greatest mipim stories yet. You'll have to read the issue of Building out the week after ...