News

The consumer launch of the Get Britain Building Campaign this Friday has been given a boost now that the possibility of 5% VAT on home repairs and maintenance work has moved a step closer.

Builders merchant group Wolseley have fallen out of the FTSE 100 share index as housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is promoted back into the FTSE 250 index.

European finance ministers have agreed that that member states may set their own rates of VAT on a range of sectors. The move could see the rate in the UK reduced to 5% for home maintenance and repairs.

The chairman of the Construction Products Association, Adrian Barden, has written to Lord Mandelson to warn of more major industry job losses and to urge him to ensure the government delivers the construction programmes it has already committed to.

The Mineral Products Association has been formed from the merger of the British Cement Association, the Quarry Products Association and the Concrete Centre.

Global Stone, the Essex based natural stone hard landscaping people have agreed a 12 month trading deal with independent builders merchant buying group H&B.

A management buyout has been completed at the profiles and doors business of BLP, the suppliers of wrapped MDF mouldings, cabinet doors, membrane pressed cabinet doors, veeners and flexible panels.

Builders and plumbers merchant group Wolseley plc are to raise £1bn via a long-rumoured rights issue.

The organisers of the Get Britain Building Campaign are launching the campaign to consumers at the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC later this month.

The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the sixth time in five months to 0.5%.