Housing Crisis, ‘Scattergun’ Policies to Blame

UK politicians have failed to produce a framework for solving the housing crisis, and its scattergun approach to reducing the housing deficit has led to some “abysmal failures”.

In its 58-page white paper, Solving the UK’s Housing Shortage, specialist property finance marketplace Brickflow has called on the government and politicians across all parties to work together to develop a proper framework for addressing the housing crisis.

It has also set out a 10-stage plan as the blueprint for that framework. It also urged the government “crucially, stop this revolving door of housing ministers”.

The report said: “[Labour leader] Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to build the ‘next generation’ of new towns and 1.5mn new homes as part of ‘a decade of renewal under Labour’.

Ahead of what will be a key political battleground in the lead up to the election, the recommendations in our ‘Solving the UK’s Housing Shortage’ white paper, will finally give politicians a comprehensive framework for addressing the housing crisis, which the government itself has failed to produce.

Brickflow founder and chief executive Ian Humphreys, said:

“The housing crisis in this country is a huge white elephant; we all know it exists and everyone appears keen to address it, yet no one has a clear strategy on how to do so.

“This is not surprising, given the mountain of government rhetoric, professing to identify the key issues and suggest solutions, yet often without consideration for the impact these may have on other parts of the housebuilding chain.”

Potted history

The report revealed that while 4.75mn homes are needed across the UK (4.3mn in England), only 0.2 per cent of land in England is vacant to build on.

It said: “Since July this year, 58 local authorities have suspended their development plans, which illustrates why such a framework is so vital to getting Britain building again.”

In 2004 Kate Barker wrote her Review of housing in the UK, in which the lack of new building was highlighted. At the time, she called for 200,000 homes to be built a year.

But there was still a shortage in supply of housing even in 2022, as reported by FTAdviser.

The market has not yet recovered from the effects of the credit crisis in 2008 to 2009 and again in 2009 to 2010, when there were significant year-on-year slumps in houses built.

As Brickflow’s white paper indicated, the House of Lords’s Built Environment Committee’s meeting housing demand report 2021/22, said one in four people will be over 65 by 2050, up from 19 per cent in 2019.

Source: FT Advisor

 

 

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Spiralling Interest Rates Forcing Landlords to Sell Up

Exclusive data from Cornerstone Tax – the UK’s leading property tax consultancy – has revealed that 15% of landlords are considering selling up due to rising costs associated with their property. This news comes in light of last week’s report from The Hamptons Monthly Letting Index which found that UK landlords are collectively paying £15bn in mortgage interest annually – up by £4.3bn over the last 12 months, totalling a 40% increase. The Bank of England’s long battle with inflation beginning in December 2021 has pushed interest rates up from near zero to a historic high of 5.25% as of last month, this has had a particular impact on landlords that took our mortgages on buy-to-let schemes during the era of low interest rates in the 2010s under the assumption that their property would be a safe investment. According to Cornerstone’s data, a staggering 20% of landlords became one without the sufficient knowledge needed and have lost thousands as a result, with average estimates as high as £7500 in 2023 alone.

David Hannah, Group Chair of Cornerstone Tax, highlights how the record number of landlords leaving the rental market is contributing to serious problems of supply and demand within the UK’s major cities. Cornerstone’s research reveals that 19% of tenants have had to change rental properties five times in less than five years through no fault of their own as landlords are forced to either exit the market or pass on these record high mortgage costs onto their tenants. Moreover, as demand continues to outstrip supply within the market, 17% of tenants have also admitted that they have lost out on a property that they wanted to rent in the last two years due to a bidding war.

Despite this news, David argues that hope may be on the horizon for current renters. This year has seen some of the sharpest falls in house prices in over fourteen years, whilst the BoE’s decision to pause interest hikes has allowed the mortgage market to stabilise. A majority of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders have also started slashing their rates for first time buyers, with Halifax offering five-year fixed rate mortgages at less than 5%. These figures should therefore provide some comfort for those looking to escape an overheated rental market besot by the exit of a record number of landlords.

Chairman of Cornerstone Group International, David Hannah, discusses the ongoing challenges facing those within the UK’s rental market: 

“Our data highlights a clear issue in the UK’s rental market, many of these landlords took out mortgages on buy-to-let schemes during a period of sustained low interest rates; fast forward to 2023 and the pressure currently facing landlords is simply too much. Spiralling interest rates and the highest tax burden since the second world war have forced thousands of landlords to sell up, which then puts further pressure on renters due to a lack of stock.

“We are generally seeing an exodus of landlords from the capital and South East, looking towards the North East of England instead. It’s a region that’s seen the highest growth in property prices in the last twelve months, with many seeing it as a much safer investment than the capital.”

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Inspiring STEM ambassador named RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year


Winners of the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards, 2023 have been announced

 

Building surveying professional Carolyn Brady has been crowned “Surveyor of the Year” at the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards, which recognise the most inspiring and influential surveyors who have been qualified for up to 10 years.

 Carolyn, a building surveyor and regional lead partner for global quantity surveyor and construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall in Belfast, won the Building Surveyor/Control Surveyor of the Year award, in addition to securing the overall RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year title in the face of stiff competition from other category winners from around the UK.

 Carolyn was one of five women on the list of 11 category winners in a year when female professionals represented just under 45% of those shortlisted, despite making up just 18% of UK surveyors. The number of women shortlisted this year is 150% higher than in 2018, and 350% higher than in the award’s inaugural year in 2014; an increase that has happened in a period when representation of women in the industry has become much stronger with many more female role models.

 The judges described Carolyn as,

 

“Someone who inspires others and supports them with passion and commitment to the profession. Driven by a desire to make a change and transform the sector was clear in this submission and it is why they are a worthy winner.”

“Already a leader in our sector, an incredibly strong application that is very impressive.”

“This candidate is head and shoulders above many in respect of giving back to the profession.”

 

Carolyn is a Liverpool John Moores University building surveying graduate who worked with Atkins in Warrington, England, before starting with Rider Levett Bucknall in 2017.

 Carolyn was responsible for opening Rider Levett Bucknall’s first office in Northern Ireland and in a short space of 18 months, she grew the team to 16 across building surveying, project management, quantity surveying and health and safety disciplines.

 Carolyn has been an active member with RICS over the years, she has been an APC counsellor and assessor for the past four years, and in 2021, Carolyn was appointed the RICS NI regional board, and chairs the RICS Northern Ireland High Street Regeneration Forum.

 Marking a decade of these awards, the winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by TV presenter Cherry Healey on 20th October at The Londoner, Leicester Square. The following surveyors were recognised for their outstanding career achievements in their respective sectors and disciplines:

 

  • RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year: Carolyn Brady – Rider Levett Bucknall UK Limited
  • Apprentice of the Year: Max Chambers, Arcadis
  • Building Surveyor/Control Surveyor of the Year: Carolyn Brady, Rider Levett Bucknall UK Limited
  • Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year: George Hooton, Hootons Commercial
  • Facilities Management Surveyor of the Year: Jassimran Lall, Vail Williams
  • Land (Rural and Urban) Surveyor of the Year: Ginny Banham, Fisher German
  • Project Management Surveyor of the Year: Laura Hibbs, Pulse Consult
  • Quantity/Construction Surveyor of the Year: Matthew Collett, AECOM
  • Residential Property Surveyor of the Year: Joseph Ellison, Pinnacle Surveyors
  • Valuation Surveyor of the Year: Joshim Uddin, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
  • Ambassador of the Year: Philippa Sampson Bancroft, Greater London Authority
  • Mentor of the Year: Sam Nicholson. Wakefields Chartered Building Surveyors

 

This year’s judging panel consisted of 18 industry leaders including Justin Sullivan, RICS Senior Vice President who said:

“The RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year Award is a true testament to Carolyn’s dedication to the industry over the years. She is a well-deserving winner who goes above and beyond for not only her company, but also RICS in Northern Ireland.

 “Year on year we see immense levels of talent from high-achieving professionals who are the industry’s future leaders. Each winner is having a profoundly positive impact in their local community, and we’re proud to champion and recognise the hard work of each of these surveyors.”

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Brownfield Site, from ‘Titanic’ to Homes

Pete Butler, site manager at Keon Homes (Image credit: Keon Homes)

Construction work has started on a multimillion-pound residential site in a West Midlands town, which was once rumoured to be the home of the ironworks that manufactured the anchor used by the ill-fated Titanic. 

Keon Homes, a provider of affordable and social housing, working in partnership with housing association Bromford, is regenerating the brownfield site on Woods Lane in Cradley Heath.

Now foundations have been put into place for the scheme, which will provide 34 affordable homes. Building work is to start in earnest.

The one, two and three-bedroom houses being constructed at the development over the next 12 months will be available to rent with Bromford.

The first stage of the project, formally owned by Holtite, involved safely demolishing the old industrial buildings and completing remediation.

Ben Sharp, technical co-ordinator at Keon Homes, said:

“There is a real need in the area to build homes that are affordable, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Bromford on Woods Lane.

“Working together, we purchased a piece of land and are turning a disused industrial site into a community where individuals, couples and families can live.”

The first homes are due to be completed before the end of the year. Construction work is expected to be finished by April 2024.

Source: Inside Media

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Exploitation of Cisco IOS XE vulnerabilities

Exploitation of Cisco IOS XE vulnerabilities affecting UK organisations

Organisations are encouraged to take action to mitigate vulnerabilities affecting Cisco IOS XE (CVE-2023-20198 and CVE-2023-20273) and follow the latest vendor advice.

What has happened?

Cisco has published an updated advisory detailing two vulnerabilities affecting Cisco IOS XE devices. Both are being actively exploited.

CVE-2023-20198 – A remote, unauthenticated attacker could create an account on an affected system with privilege level 15 access. The attacker can then use that account to gain control of the affected system.

CVE-2023-20273 – A remote, authenticated attacker could inject arbitrary commands as the root user.

The NCSC is working with UK organisations known to be impacted and have notified affected UK organisations signed up for the NCSC Early Warning service.

Who is affected?

Organisations using Cisco IOS XE devices.

The NCSC will continue to monitor the impact of these vulnerabilities on UK organisations.

What should I do?

The NCSC recommends following vendor best-practice advice to mitigate vulnerabilities. In this case, if you use Cisco IOS XE devices, you should take these priority actions:

  1. Check for compromise using the detection steps and indicators of compromise (IoCs) detailed in the Cisco advisory.
  2. If you believe you have been compromised and are in the UK, you should report it to the NCSC.
  3. Disable the HTTP Server feature on all internet-facing devices, or restrict access to trusted networks.
  4. Install the latest version of Cisco IOS XE. More information is on the Cisco website. Organisations should monitor that advisory for the latest information and software updates.

NCSC guidance, services and tools

The NCSC provides a range of free guidance, services and tools that help to secure systems:

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DEFRA: ‘Simpler Recycling’ Plan Published

Long-awaited proposals on standardising recycling services have been published, including statutory collection of glass, metal, plastic, paper and card and garden waste, with food waste slated from 2026.

Finalised plans for consistent collections for households and businesses in England, rebranded ‘simpler recycling’ in September, were initially promised by the end of 2022.

Local authorities and waste management companies have been left frustrated over a series of delays, LGC’s sister title Materials Recycling World reports.

MRW understands collection of the core set of materials will start for businesses, schools and hospitals in March 2025. Local authorities will be required to implement services in March 2026, but flexibility given to those in long-term contracts. Flexible plastics will be added to the core materials in March 2027.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs confirmed weekly food waste services will be required for “most households” from 2026. It said this would help end the “threat of smelly waste waiting weeks for collection” under three and four-weekly residual services which it said was a trend “particularly in Wales”.

The proposals include “new exemptions” to allow dry recyclables to be collected in the same container, bin or bag “to reduce the number of bins required”.

Under existing TEEP (technically, environmentally and economically practicable) rules councils are allowed to carry out co-mingled collections following an assessment. It is not clear how the new exemptions will be enacted.

Environment secretary Therese Coffey said: “Alongside weekly food waste collections, we are ending the postcode lottery of what you can put in your bin so that wherever you live in the country, you will be able to recycle the same products with confidence.”

In September, prime minister Rishi Sunak said he would ensure no household would be required to have seven bins.

Environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “Our ambitious plans will help every household, business, school and hospital in the country to recycle more. We have listened to councils and come up with a system that will increase recycling in a way that does not clutter our pavements with numerous bins and smelly food waste collections for weeks, making recycling simpler and more effective.”

The District Councils’ Network backed the flexibility granted by Defra for authorities to adapt local services but said it was concerned that residual waste would need to be collected at least fortnightly. It added it would be “challenging” for some councils to implement weekly food waste services.

DCN said it was “hard to believe” that all councils will be able to procure new equipment and vehicles within two years to meet the new requirements.

Sarah Nelmes, DCN environment spokesperson, said: “Although we will be spared the costs of buying vast numbers of bins and vehicles for the sole purpose of conforming to top-down stipulation, there will still be significant costs attached to the reforms, and we await further detail from the government on how they will be funded.

“Any ongoing costs must be covered through either new burdens funding from the government or from the upcoming EPR scheme.”

Local Government Association environment spokesperson Darren Rodwell said: “What works in urban centres is different to rural communities. We are pleased the government has listened to the LGA and councils and decided not to significantly reduce the flexibilities in how councils collect waste from people’s homes.”

However, Paul Sanderson, chief executive of the Recycling Association, said it was “disappointing” that local authorities in England will be able to commingle materials.

He added: “We would have preferred paper and cardboard to be kept separate as a minimum. That would have avoided contamination and enabled better quality of paper and cardboard, but also the other materials where paper can act as a contaminant.”

Environmental Services Association executive director Jacob Hayler said the announcement brought clarity after “five years of uncertainty and delay”.

He added: “Significant questions still require answers though before our industry can invest in new recycling infrastructure to meet these requirements.

“In particular, we need to understand the detail of how simpler recycling will work with the emerging [extended producer responsibility] regime for packaging – whereby packaging producers will pay for the system – and any constraints imposed on how councils collect materials at the kerbside.”

Defra is to launch a four-week consultation on widening the definition of non-household municipal premises to include places of worship, prisons, charity shops and residential hostels.

The department also wants to beef up background checks waste traders and overhaul the waste tracking system.

Source: Local Government Chronicle

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Investigation into the supply of chemicals for use in the construction industry

The CMA has launched an investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct in relation to the supply of chemicals for use in the construction industry.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reason to suspect anti-competitive behaviour has taken place involving a number of suppliers of these chemicals and some industry bodies. This conduct relates to the supply of chemical admixtures and additives which are an essential input for products like concrete, mortars and cement used in the construction industry.

The CMA is working closely with the European Commission, which has also launched an investigation into suspected anticompetitive conduct in the sector today. The CMA is also in contact with other authorities, including the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division.

Following a period of investigation and information gathering, the CMA may issue a statement of objections if it comes to the provisional view that competition law has been infringed. However, not all cases proceed to a statement of objections, and at this stage no assumptions should be made about whether competition law has been broken.

This investigation reflects the CMA’s commitment – outlined in its Annual Plan 2023 to 2024 – to deter anti-competitive behaviour, so that competitive, fair-dealing businesses can innovate and thrive.

Further detail of the CMA’s procedures in competition cases is available in its guidance, and any updates to this investigation, will be made via the dedicated web page: Suspected anti-competitive conduct in relation to the supply of chemicals for use in construction industry.

Source: Gov.uk

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ZENTIA: Grand Final Winner

Congratulations are in order for Zentia, one of the UK’s leaders in complete ceiling solutions, for being announced as the Grand Final Winner of the Made in Britain Awards 2023, a category within the North East Business Awards.

Following Zentia’s win in the Northumberland and Tyneside heat of the North East Business Awards 2023, the company went head-to-head with the other sub-regional heat winners to be named overall North East winners for the Made in Britain category. Zentia was subsequently crowned winners at the Grand Final, which took place on 26th September 2023 at Hardwick Hall, and was hosted by Iwan Thomas MBE.

The Made in Britain category aims to recognise and champion businesses that are promoting manufacturing and production in the UK. Zentia places a focus on UK manufacturing, with its home base in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, it is the UK’s only manufacturer of complete ceiling solutions. Its UK focus also extends to technical and specification experts, as well as creating short supply chains and reliable deliveries, making it a deserving winner for the Made in Britain category.

Dirk Jaspers, Managing Director at Zentia said:

“This makes us very proud. Our company is only three and a half years old, but we have evolved to impressive new heights. We have invested in assets, in people, and in our premises in Gateshead, and we have also invested in partnerships across the value chain in the UK. We excite our employees, please our customers and thrill our shareholders, so we are very honoured to receive this award.”

To find out more about Zentia click here.

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UK Government investing in water sector AI  

 
A detailed overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing emergence in the water and wastewater sector was the focus of British Water’s latest webinar, featuring speakers from Ofwat, Thames Water, and across the supply chain, including consultancies Jacobs and ExploreAI.
The most recent briefing, AI Explained, on 3 October, explored the emergence and adoption of AI in the water and wastewater industry. The session was designed for those new to AI, companies looking to implement AI, or those hoping to gain greater knowledge about this topic. It explained how companies can take the first steps in understanding their data landscape, how to lead AI implementation within an organisation, and current applications in the water and wastewater industry.
Speakers included Caroline Gregory director of IT, digital and estates at Ofwat, who discussed AI and the open data strategy; Jethro Yates from Thames Water, George Schley from engineering consultancy Jacobs and Tania Flasck, Byron Roelofsz and Aidan Helmbold from ExploreAI, which builds AI-driven software and digital twins for global companies.
Increased investment
“With the growth of big data, cloud computing and other technological advancements, AI has become more accessible than ever. The potential for AI to help drive and support economies is already recognised across government and industry,” said Gregory. “There is a widespread commitment from the government to support and invest in the water sector’s use of AI.”
Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund supports developing and deploying innovative solutions to address the water sector’s challenges. Several AI projects are backed by the Innovation Fund, including Safe Smart Systems (SSS) which is led by Anglian Water in partnership with Jacobs, Skanska, Imperial College, Microsoft, the University of Sheffield, and South West Water, Portsmouth Water and Affinity Water.
Long-term resilience
George Schley spoke in detail about the £7.5 million SSS project, which is developing an AI-powered system to improve the long-term operational resilience of water systems in the face of climate change and rapid population growth. The system will identify, predict, and manage vulnerabilities to reduce leakage, interruptions, and pressure issues across the whole water cycle.
The project is a first step towards autonomous control of water systems in the UK. The system will be able to learn from data and experience to make decisions that optimise the performance of the water system – helping to ensure everyone has access to a safe and reliable water supply, even in the face of challenges such as climate change and population growth.
The UK Government’s commitment to investment in AI for the water sector is a positive development. The AI market for the global water sector is growing rapidly, driven by the need to address the challenges of climate change, population growth, and pollution. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, the global AI market for the water sector is expected to reach US$2.6 billion by 2027.
Latest technologies, trends, and regulations
British Water’s Explained briefings are a series of paid-for webinars that are open to both members and non-members. They provide in-depth overviews of key topics in the water and wastewater industry. They are designed to help attendees learn about the latest technologies, trends, and regulations, and to make informed decisions about their businesses.
Lila Thompson, British Water’s chief executive said, “The webinars are proving to be one of our most popular offerings. The briefings are excellent value for money and open to anyone interested in learning more about the water and wastewater industry. They are particularly well-suited for water and wastewater professionals, as well as for suppliers and other stakeholders in the industry.”
Topics covered in the Explained webinars include:
  • Technology: New and emerging technologies in the water and wastewater industry, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the internet of things
  • Regulation: Changes to government regulations that affect the sector, and how businesses can both comply with them and identify opportunities
  • Procurement: A detailed explanation of the procurement process and contracts within the water sector
  • UK Water Industry: An overview of the structure of the UK water industry – the key players and how it is regulated.
British Water provides numerous opportunities for water companies and the supply chain to connect, collaborate and access current and trending innovation and information through its UK, Technical and International forums. Membership is open to all companies with an involvement in the water and wastewater industry in its broadest sense.
To find out more visit>britishwater.co.uk
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Sentry Doors celebrates company’s combined 130-year heritage

Leading fire safety and security door manufacturer, Sentry Doors, is celebrating a major milestone this year as its recent acquisition, Knowles, marks its 100th anniversary, giving Sentry a combined heritage of over 130 years.

As part of Sentry’s ambitious growth plans, the company acquired E. & S. W. Knowles in August 2022. Bringing the company under the Sentry banner and launching the Knowles product range has made Sentry the UK’s leader in fire safety and security doorsets.

Following the acquisition, Knowles, a renowned specialist door manufacturer, went on to celebrate its 100-year anniversary earlier this year. To celebrate this milestone event, Sentry Doors, which is part of the Cairngorm portfolio, hosted a special event for employees at its Birmingham site on 12th October.

The celebration day featured a pub quiz, and attendees were treated to catering from a host of local street food vans. The previous owners of Knowles were invited to take part and share their memories of the firm throughout the years. The event was also attended by members of the Sentry Executive Team and Chairman Jon Gatfield.

Established in Birmingham in 1923, by former miner William (Bill) Knowles, the company came from humble beginnings. Having observed piles of sawdust at his father’s workplace, Bill invested £4 in a cart to haul the sawdust around local engineering companies.

Following Bill’s death in 1942, the company was taken over by his stepson Horace Wright, who began to convert timber offcuts into skittle boxes, pram handles, mirror backs and fire surrounds. The business thrived, and eventually began producing custom-made doors in the 1980s.

Knowles grew into a highly successful company, before being acquired by Sentry Doors last year, and to this day, Sentry continues to build on its 100-year heritage and honour its family roots and manufacturing excellence.

The extensive Knowles product range now sits within the Sentry Doors catalogue of market-leading products, giving customers access to a complete range of fully certified, bespoke timber fire and security door sets, designed for the social housing, public sector, commercial and residential markets.

Production of the Knowles range still takes place at its 60,000sq ft facility in Birmingham, where the focus is on manufacturing specialist timber internal doorsets with fire rated, acoustic and PAS 24 security certification. The 100-strong team in Birmingham offers bespoke, sector-specific solutions that meet the exacting requirements of its customers.

Sentry Doors continues to be headquartered in Doncaster, where it has an additional 40,000sq ft facility. This takes the company’s total footprint to 100,000sq ft across the Birmingham and Doncaster branches, both of which are fully equipped with the latest manufacturing equipment.

Since the acquisition, Sentry has invested £1.2m to support the expansion of production capabilities in Birmingham. This enables Sentry to offer a complete, end-to-end service, consistent lead and delivery times and a first-class customer experience.

Ty Aziz, CEO at Sentry Doors, celebrated alongside staff at the event, and commented:

 

‘We’re delighted to be marking this incredibly special occasion with our Knowles colleagues. A trusted pair of hands for 100 years, Knowles has a rich history and a well-earned reputation for manufacturing the highest quality fire doors. This milestone gives Sentry Doors a remarkable, combined heritage of 130 years, and together, we look forward to many more successful years at the forefront of UK industry.’

 

Steve Horner, MD at Knowles and Sentry board member, also attended the centenary event, and added:

 

‘This was a wonderful event and a fitting tribute to the amazing staff, both past and present, who have helped to make Knowles so successful for 100 years. As part of Sentry Doors, we’re now looking forward to the next chapter, and with strong backing and investment, we’re confident that we will continue to grow and build on our many years of success.’

 

CLICK HERE for more information on Sentry Doors

including the Knowles range

 

 

 

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