Resources ‘must be refocused to target fuel poverty’ Published:  26 September, 2016 A government Advisory Committee on fuel poverty says policies and resources must be refocussed to meet England’s fuel poverty goals. After official fuel poverty figures rose to 2.38 million last month, The Committee on Fuel Poverty has produced a list of recommendations that it believes will be needed to achieve the government’s 2020, 2025 and 2030 fuel poverty targets. The committee has stressed the need for better targeting of future ECO scheme assistance to those in fuel poverty, and called for new regulations to require private landlords to upgrade properties to Band E up to a spending cap of £5,000 per property, with funding then available for any additional works. It said there was a strong case for strengthened enforcement action where households are identified as at risk from cold homes, and that fuel-poor homes should receive assistance with energy bills while awaiting the installation of energy efficient measures. Speaking for the Committee, Jenny Saunders said: “The Committee has reached initial positions on success criteria for the Government’s fuel poverty strategy for England. While significant resources appear to be available to meet the 2030 target to substantially improve the energy efficiency of low-income households and provide income supplements to pay fuel bills, the reality is that these resources are currently poorly targeted at those in fuel poverty. “We acknowledge that the government has made a start to address this issue, but it needs to do more through data sharing to identify people in fuel poverty. It also needs to ensure the recommendations of the Competition and Market Authority’s remedies are implemented so that the energy market works for all consumers, particularly those who are more vulnerable, and lever additional finance particularly in the private-rented sector. “The Committee is presenting its recommendations to around 250 fuel poverty practitioners from across the country in Manchester. We are working with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and other Government departments to help steer policy changes needed to maximise resources cost effectively to increase the energy efficiency standards of households in fuel poverty and thereby reduce the cost of energy bills and prevent the health and other impacts of living in cold homes.” The Committee’s full report can be downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cfp-report-september-2016. Source link

Belfast based commercial law firm Davidson McDonnell has strengthened its specialist team with the addition of two key new senior roles. The appointments come as part of a focused growth plan which has seen the total headcount at the company double in the last 6 month period. The business, launched three years ago by leading property and construction lawyer Ross Davidson, said that the expansion was being driven by increased activity in the Northern Ireland commercial property market and a significant rise in demand for specialist legal advice from the company’s client base in both Northern Ireland and England. Ross Davidson commented: “Northern Ireland’s commercial property market, and in particular, Belfast, is enjoying fresh interest, increased levels of enquiries and much greater optimism than we have seen for some time. “The ‘doom and gloom’ which we experienced immediately post-Brexit has dissipated quickly. Investment interest which was put on hold in the immediate aftermath of the referendum vote in June has returned and the mood now is much more positive. “London’s commercial property market is still experiencing some negativity post-Brexit but there are indications now that Belfast’s growth potential is being better recognised as investors seek safer havens elsewhere. Belfast offers good value for property investors of all sizes. We expect activity levels to be high for the remainder of 2016 carrying into 2017.” Amongst its busy workload, Davidson McDonnell has acted in the acquisition of six prime office buildings in the heart of Belfast for client investors in the last six months with a total market value of more than £20 million. Davidson continued: “Against this bouyant outlook, we are delighted to announce two strategic new hires to our dedicated team.” Vicky Dummigan and Clare Templeton will now join Davidson McDonnell, further strengthening the company’s expertise in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital funding, dispute resolution and restructuring and insolvency.

The long-running debate over airport expansion in the South East – pitting Heathrow against Gatwick – is heating up again as a final decision over which hub will get the go ahead is expected soon. Gatwick chiefs have said that the construction of a second runway at their site will create 120,000 new jobs and contribute £1.73 billion a year to the local economy – but what will the implications be for neighbouring homeowners in Surrey and West Sussex? Campaigners against the expansion at Gatwick have said, if granted, the second runway will have a detrimental economic, social and environmental impact on communities – and have cited an increase noise pollution as a specific factor affecting house prices. Meanwhile, Gatwick has said the inevitable growth in housing that would come as a result of the expansion will be a benefit, and new homes would be spread “more evenly” through the region and London. Partner at Roger Coupe estate agents in Cranleigh (which has served the Surrey/West Sussex border area for 25 years), James Britton, believes that only time will tell exactly what would happen to the property market in the surrounding areas of Gatwick. Britton commented: “The disruption building work could have, and the concerns about increased noise from extra flights, may impact the market. But equally having a bigger transport hub on your doorstep could be a massive boost for house prices. “It is difficult to predict what effect a Gatwick expansion could have until more specific details are revealed, which are likely to only come about if it gets the go ahead. But we are lucky to be in a desirable area where house prices have remained steady despite the recent ups and downs of the UK’s economy. “When a decision is finally made it will be months, maybe years, before expansion work begins at either airport. Until then other factors, including Brexit, are likely to have a more immediate effect on the property market.”