News

Former Gloster Building Supplies owner Derek Meecham is back in the merchant business, and is opening as Buildit Gloster Ltd on January 11.

The Builders Merchants Federation is disappointed that last week's Pre-Budget Report did not lower the VAT rate to 5% for RMI work.

Williams & Co, the Hampshire plumbers merchant behind the boiler scrappage campaign, opened a new branch in Basingstoke today.

Lafarge's Aberthaw Works in the Vale of Glamorgan, UK has hosted a special ceremony to honour its staff who fought in the Second World War.

Chris Harrop, group marketing director of building materials manufacturer Marshalls has been named Green Guru Manufacturer by Building magazine.

The ladder exchange scheme, led by the Health and Safety Executive which allows trade users to exchange their old, broken ladders for new, safe ones, ends at the end of the year.

Housing Minister John Healey yesterday announced a full scale assessment of the government's drive to improve England's social housing stock.

A boiler scrappage scheme - as called for by builders and plumbers merchants and heating manufacturers - was announced today by the chancellor, Alistair Darling.

This week's pre-Budget report is likely to include the announcement of a £300 boiler scrappage scheme thanks to vigorous campaigning by plumbers merchant Mick Williams and the Reheat Britain team.

Output in the construction sector grew 2% in the third quarter, according to the Office for national Statistics. However, newbuild work fell 4% while the total output is 11% down on last year.