Ofgem has expressed concern over a lack of competitive deals for prepayment customers, and said it is considering whether further action is needed. New figures released by the regulator revealed energy customer switching increased by 8 per cent in the first three months of 2016, compared with the same period last year. The data also found that the gap between the average standard direct debit and prepayment tariffs has narrowed to around £70. But while, in theory, there are also savings of around £300 for prepayment meter customers, most of the best deals are only possible if they change meters. Ofgem senior partner Rachel Fletcher said the regulator was “very concerned” that the data it has published shows that suppliers are still not offering people with prepayment meters the much cheaper fixed deals available to other customers. “Many PPM customers are vulnerable and it concerns us that they are losing out,” she said. “The CMA’s proposed prepayment tariff and other measures we are taking would improve this situation, and we are considering whether further action is needed.” In its provisional findings released last month, the CMA proposed a temporary price control for the 4 million customers on pre-payment meters, pending the full rollout of smart meters and wider reform of the market by 2020. It claims the measure will save PPM customers £300 million a year. The latest data from Ofgem also showed that 52 per cent of all customers who switched moved to new entrant suppliers, which now make up 13 per cent and 14 per cent of the electricity and gas markets respectively. In March 2016, there were a total of 44 suppliers competing in the market. Fletcher said: “It’s encouraging to see a continued rise in the number of people switching, and an increasing number of suppliers entering the market.” The figures follow an Ofgem report in February which showed the number of customers switching energy supplier had reached its highest level since 2011, and was up 15 per cent from 2014. Source link

Flint House, a dramatic and innovative new house on a country estate in Buckinghamshire and Sussex House an elegant villa in the Sussex countryside have been announced today (4 November at 10pm) as the first two houses to be shortlisted for the coveted 2015 RIBA House of the Year award, sponsored by specialist insurer, Hiscox. The award is run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The projects in the running for the UK’s most prestigious award for a new house are being revealed in a special four part TV series for Channel 4, Grand Designs: House of the Year. During the course of the series which began today (Wednesday 4 November 2015 at 9pm), the seven homes shortlisted for the 2015 RIBA House of the Year award will be announced; the winner will be revealed on screen on Wednesday 25 November. The first two projects shortlisted for the 2015 RIBA House of the Year are: Flint House, Buckinghamshire by Skene Catling De La Pena Sussex House, West Sussex by Wilkinson King Architects ENDS Notes to editors: 1. For further press information contact Howard Crosskey, howard.crosskey@riba.org 020 7307 3761 2. The RIBA House of the Year award (formerly known as the Manser Medal) is awarded every year to the best new house designed by an architect in the UK. It was created in 2001 to celebrate excellence in housing design. 3. The judges for the 2015 RIBA House of the Year award, sponsored by Hiscox, are Jonathan Manser, Chair of the jury; James Standen of Hiscox; award-winning architect, Mary Duggan; Chris Loyn, the recipient of the 2014 award and Tony Chapman, RIBA Head of Awards. 4. Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, is headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). There are three main underwriting divisions in the Group – Hiscox London Market, Hiscox Re and Hiscox Retail (which includes Hiscox UK and Europe, Hiscox Guernsey, Hiscox USA and subsidiary brand, DirectAsia). Hiscox underwrites internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance through Hiscox Re and Hiscox London Market. Through its retail businesses in the UK, Europe and the US Hiscox offers a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers, as well as homeowners. For further information visit www.hiscoxgroup.com 5. The Architects’ Journal is media partner for the 2015 RIBA special awards, including the RIBA House of the Year www.architectsjournal.co.uk 6. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Visit Architecture.com and follow us on Twitter @RIBA. 7. Grand Designs: House of the Year is produced by Boundless, producers of Grand Designs. 8. The RIBA judges’ full citations and image links for each building follows: Flint House, Buckinghamshire by Skene Catling De La Pena – shortlisted for the RIBA House of the Year The house sits within the grounds of a wider estate and forms accommodation for visitors who include family members as well as artists. The building is split into two parts: the main house plus an annexe. The building is constructed of masonry with flint cladding. The project is a rare example of a poetic narrative whose realisation remains true to the original concept. The site is on a seam of flint geology and is surrounded by ploughed fields where the flint sits on the surface. The building is conceived as a piece of that geology thrusting up through the flat landscape. The innovation and beauty of the scheme is particularly evident in the detail of the cladding that starts at the base as knapped flint and slowly changes in construction and texture until it becomes chalk blocks at the highest point. This gives both a feeling of varying geological strata with the building dissolving as it reaches to the sky. The architects worked with a number of specialist and skilled craftsmen to achieve the end result. The development is part of a wider artistic project that has involved engagement with artists, photographers and musicians. Sussex House, West Sussex by Wilkinson King Architects – shortlisted for the RIBA House of the Year This stand-alone contemporary villa set in the Sussex countryside is an exceptional retreat. Externally the house is quietly confident, with its row of low-profile roof pyramids, windows positioned to take advantage of the views and a muted colour palette of materials. A lack of decoration and ornament gives this modern house a functional feel, but one that is cleverly considered to the very last detail. Internally the double-height void and staircase orchestrate the house, effortlessly, organising a contiguous open plan and cellular spaces into a simple but elegant arrangement. The over-sailing first floor produces the feeling of a quiet monastic cloister with sun-filled spaces and carefully framed views. There is much to admire about the project, and it is clear the designers have invested a lot of energy into guiding the project to have a crafted feel through modern materials and technologies. The design fulfils the brief and provides the clients with so much more.   Posted on Wednesday 4th November 2015 Source link

Two roofing companies and one of their directors have been fined after a worker fell to his death through a skylight. Cardiff Crown Court heard how 46 year old Lance Davies, a father of seven, died after falling over seven metres through a roof light at industrial premises in the Crumlin area of South Wales. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 15 December 2011 found that the work at height on the roof was not properly planned, managed or monitored. There were inadequate control measures in place to prevent a fall through the roof lights. SPAN Roofing Contractors Limited, of Sunnyside Road North, Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, and was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay costs of £37,500. B & T Roofing Solutions Limited, of Arthur Street, Ystrad, Pentre, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined a total of £20,000. Kristian Griffiths, of Arthur Street, Ystrad, Pentre, a director of B & T Roofing Solutions Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by virtue of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974, and was given a 160 hours community service order. B & T Roofing Solutions and Kristian Griffiths were ordered to pay costs of £32,500 between them. Following the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Paul Harvey said: “Falls through fragile roof lights and roofs are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injury in the construction industry.  The issue is well known in the construction industry and there is plenty of guidance available. “The tragic death of Mr Davies could easily have been avoided had the work been planned, managed and monitored effectively and simple and cost effective control measures put in place.” For further information on working at height visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg33.htm Notes to Editors: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk Journalists should approach HSE press office with any queries on regional press releases. Source link

Since his win last week everyone has been talking about who is going to land the position for Sadiq Khan’s next deputy mayor for planning. Sadiq Kahn won the election to be London’s mayor only last week and already there are pressures on him to choose his deputy mayor for planning after drama and scandal and surrounding the current housing market in London. One of those in the running for the position is rumored to by Islington council’s chief executive member for housing and development, James Murray. Khan emerged as the clear leader in the race for City Hall ahead of Zac Goldsmith who placed the attention on attacking his opponents race and religion. Khan instead focused on the issues he hoped to change if elected, housing issues in London being one of them. James Murray is down to be a front runner for the deputy manager position because of his position as a Labour Councillor having held the housing brief at Islington since getting the position in 2010. The borough has been considered one of the most difficult in London to bring forward developments due to it’s strict rules and regulations. Murray brought forward new rules making it harder for developers to build housing in the area last year, the rules force developers to publish assessments, making the motives of such developments very clear. The growing evidence that proves many developers are creating properties purely to keep them empty and sell later after demands are even more inflated. The viability assessments mean that developers cannot game the system without publishing their interests to do so. The new rules make the system very transparent, clear and fair, making sure that investment is put into affordable housing that is so desperately needed in the city and surrounding areas. Hopes are that Murray will bring this plan into the city planning role if elected.