Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

A new long-term strategy for the construction professions has been revealed at the same  time as the government published a new prospectus for the single construction regulator.The government promised to reveal the strategy along with reforms to building regulations and construction products to boost building safety, quality and productivity.On Wednesday (17 December), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said it would publish a strategy for “the building professions, including wider trades and occupations, which sets out a clear, unified plan for regulatory and non-regulatory reform at a government, industry and individual level”.That will sit alongside “parallel reforms…

Farmers fear an agreement with the trade bloc known as Mercosur will undercut their livelihoods, and there are broader political concerns it is driving support for the far-right. The farmers brought potatoes and eggs to throw – along with sausages and beer for nourishment – and waged a furious back-and-forth with police. “We are fighting to defend our jobs across all European countries against Mercosur,” said Armand Chevron, a 23-year-old French farmer. Police in riot gear staffed barriers just outside the European Parliament, which evacuated some staff due to damage caused by protesters. In the Belgian capital, protesters burned tyres…

Belfast High CourtA convicted child sex offender used an alias to work as a handyman at homes in Northern Ireland for up to a year, the High Court heard today.Daniel Patrick Blaney, 52, did not inform his designated risk manager about the odd-job duties carried out under a false identity, prosecutors said. Read more here: Click Here

Are Warm Weather Models the Final Nail for Winter Bulls? The main drag remains the weather. Forecasts from NatGasWeather and Atmospheric G2 show the 11-15 day outlook softening significantly, wiping out previously expected heating degree days. After a short-lived cold push through Monday, the rest of the week is expected to bring above-normal temps across most of the Lower 48, killing any momentum for sustained high heating demand. Traders have been aggressively dumping length as confidence in a sustained cold pattern continues to erode. Even last weekend’s slightly cooler revision to the Dec 17–27 period didn’t help. The market sniffed…

Kitchen and luxury furniture specialist Harvey Jones has reopened its newly refurbished Guildford showroom, marking another milestone in its programme of national showroom upgrades, set to conclude in 2026.Located at 9 Tunsgate in the heart of Guildford’s cobbled high street, the 823 sqft showroom features 11 of the brand’s most popular hand-crafted kitchen designs.Josh Wakley, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones and designer of the showroom, comments: “It is exciting to be reopening such a beautiful showroom in Guildford. We have spent a lot of time designing displays we know clients will love. From the live event kitchen and design lounge…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emails The roar of the leaf blower has become an inescapable part of daily life in communities across America, leading towns and states to ban or restrict blowers that run on gasoline.But the measures face blowback from the landscaping industry and some property owners who say that the battery-powered blowers favored by the legislation are costlier and not nearly as effective as the gasoline-powered ones.“If you look at…

It’s officially spooky season and to celebrate, Brewers Decorator Centres have some easy and chic ways to decorate for Halloween within your home.   From using up old wallpaper samples to glow in the dark paint, Brewers is the go-to for all your decorating requirements. And, even if you’re not the biggest fan of Halloween, how about a friendly saving instead? Simply check out the link here to get a Brewers DIY or Pro Trade Card. Spooky season decorating tips!   ·  Bats! So simple, but so effective. Using offcuts or old wallpaper samples can be an effective way to create…

India PR DistributionHaryana [India], November 27: JB Plaster, a leading manufacturer of Plaster of Paris, has introduced two new premium Plaster of Paris Range, JB GOLD and JB OMAAN WHITE, engineered to deliver international-standard quality at a price that remains unmatched in the industry.With a focus on whiteness, ideal setting time, high strength, and refined finish quality, both JB GOLD and JB OMAAN WHITE raise the bar for what contractors, builders, and interior designers can expect from modern plaster solutions. The products are certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and comply with quality benchmarks outlined by the Indian…

The findings follow the launch of a £725 million apprenticeship reform package in England. It includes the removal of the 5% co-investment cost for small and medium-sized employers training apprentices under the age of 25,  a measure that does not apply in Scotland. Read more: SNIPEF’s Apprenticeships Under Pressure report found that 33% of firms did not expect to recruit any apprentices in the next three years. More than three quarters rated current Scottish Government support as poor or inadequate, and almost all (93%) said increased funding is the single change needed to make recruitment viable. A majority of 62%…

No-one has been injured in a serious scaffolding collapse in Hove. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 1.29pm on 18 December 2025 to reports of collapsed scaffolding in First … Read more here: Click Here