Industry News
RIBA
announces
Great British
Buildings
programme
for 2019
The Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA) has announced the programme
for Great British Buildings 2019, which
gives members of the public a rare
chance to look around some of this
year’s RIBA award-winning buildings.
From London’s restored Battersea Arts
Centre, to the historic Hollis Building in
Sheffield, Great British Buildings invites
people to explore the buildings crowned
the UK’s best.
Join us for talks, tours, and unique
opportunities to meet the architects
as they reveal the stories behind their
buildings, what inspired them and what
makes their project a RIBA Award-
winner.
Commenting on the programme, RIBA
President Ben Derbyshire said:
“This year’s RIBA Awards have seen
an exceptional range of projects,
showcasing the UK’s great architectural
ambition, innovation, and skill. We’re
really pleased to give the public this rare
chance to go behind the scenes and see
first-hand what makes each building
so special, with the return of our Great
British Buildings programme.”
Great British Buildings 2019 will run
from September to November 2019.
View the full programme on the Riba
website.
Construction Industry Unites To
Demand Delay To Vat Changes
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the
Federation of Master Builders, said: “The
fact that 15 of the leading construction
trade bodies have come together to speak
to the Government with one voice on this
issue shows the extent to which we are
concerned. We urge the Government to
rethink the timing of these changes and
announce a delay of at least six months.
With a potential no-deal Brexit also due
to take place in October, the timing could
not be worse.”
Craig Beaumont, Policy & Advocacy
Director at the Federation of Small
Businesses, said: “The reverse charge
threatens to massively damage cashflow
among small construction firms, many
of which already struggle to stay afloat
in an industry dogged by late payments.
What’s more, preparation time has been
minimal – guidance on the change has
only appeared recently, yet roll-out is
just two months away. With uncertainty
already hurting small business
confidence, the Government should
do the sensible thing and postpone
introduction of the reverse charge.”
Alasdair Reisner, Chief Executive of
the Civil Engineering Contractors
Association, said: “Civil engineering
contractors are extremely worried about
the impact of the forthcoming new rules
on their immediate cashflow and the
impact that this will have on business
sustainability. The construction sector
is already struggling due to ongoing
political uncertainty, with declining
workloads for many members. The
introduction of the reverse charge VAT
may push small contractors into the
red, as they do not have the resources
to manage the immediate impact of the
legislation change.
BSA Comments on Government’s
Green Finance Strategy
Commenting on the publication of the Government’s Green
Finance Strategy, Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgages & Housing
at the Building Societies Association said:
“We welcome the publication of the Government’s Green Finance
Strategy. With around a fifth of the UK’s CO2 emissions coming
from our homes, lenders and householders have an important
We are therefore calling on Government
to delay the implementation of reverse
charge VAT and work with industry to
help businesses prepare for the new rules
in the best possible way.”
Iain McIlwee, CEO of FIS, said: “This
isn’t about industry not being prepared,
but not being able to prepare. Whilst
we’ve known about it for a long time, the
information has only started to emerge
from HMRC in terms of the process.
We’ve been telling members about it,
running workshops and webinars, but
I’ve yet to meet someone who has had
the letter from HMRC and so there are
swathes of the market that still don’t
know it is happening. Many of the
accountancy software companies haven’t
updated the software. The biggest
issue, however, it is not the admin,
it’s the impact on cashflow. Credit in
construction is already tight and with
few lifelines from traditional financiers,
further drains on cash will be fatal
for some companies – this is almost
impossible to prepare for. I don’t think
anyone could have seen the uncertainty
into which this would be launched and
consequently a pause would be prudent.”
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of
the National Federation of Builders
(NFB), said: “For an industry facing
lighter workloads, increasing pressure
on cash flow and an already high rate of
insolvency, reverse charge VAT could not
have come at a worse time. By delaying
the introduction of this measure, the
industry will have more time to properly
prepare and make their businesses more
resilient, and more detailed guidance
can be provided to ensure a smooth
introduction.”
part to play as the UK transitions to a net zero carbon-economy by
2050. The financial risks to lenders relating to climate change are
becoming steadily better understood and we are working closely
with both the PRA and the FCA. “A few green/eco mortgages are
already available from building societies and over time I anticipate
that the opportunities for more will be embraced. The primary
challenges in the development of such products will be consumer
demand - and whether it materialises, coupled with the ability of
lenders in a low interest rate, intensely competitive market to price
such mortgages in a way that differentiates them.
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