7 The percentage fall in Skanska’s profits, from £35.5m to £32.9m, despite turnover rising by 44%. Skanska UK chief executive David Fison blamed three PFI projects.

136 The amount, in pounds, which Indian workers have demanded as a minimum monthly wage in Bahrain. More than 2,000 workers went on strike for a week in protest over pay on a £3bn tourist development being built by a team that includes Bovis Lend Lease and Atkins.

500 The number of trade contractors Laing O’Rourke will have on its books in a year. It currently has 2,000. Morgan Ashurst, Wates and Costain have also announced they are rationalising their supply chains. See p8.

550 The price, in pounds, per tonne of cut and bent rebar, up £100 since Christmas. Fabricators are warning that it could reach £600 and suggest contractors add price fluctuation clauses to contracts.

1,000 The number of jobs Carillion says it will create, following its takeover of Alfred McAlpine, due to growth plans in the Gulf. Reports suggest 40-50 disgruntled Alfred McAlpine senior managers will leave.

9,135 The number of new housing starts in January 2008, down 39% compared with January 2007, according to NHBC research. This follows on from a 10% fall in housing starts in the last quarter of 2007.

40m The difference, in pounds, between Balfour Beatty’s price for the Olmpic’s aquatic centre, reportedly £213m, and what the Olympic Delivery Authority wants to pay.

£2bn The amount, in pounds, the government will have to pay to bail out Metronet due to the limited liability of the five Metronet firms.

Source

Construction Manager