Uncertainty is set to creep into the UK housing market due to stamp duty changes, the European Union referendum and forthcoming regional elections, it is claimed. Overall short term confidence in the market has flattened following the rush from buy to let investors to beat the extra 3% imposed on
The new generation of Total Fire Solutions products for the built environment from AEI Cables has been welcomed amid increasing concerns about the quality of cabling in the marketplace. Specifiers and installers have recognised the highest levels of quality and safety offered by the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range using
Casters are wheels that can be mounted directly to almost any piece of furniture, cabinetry, or machinery to create versatility within the space. They provide ease of mobility as well as shock absorption and protection from damage to floors and backs. Ergonomic movement of your equipment allows you to safely
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Uncertainty is set to creep into the UK housing market due to stamp duty changes, the European Union referendum and forthcoming regional elections, it is claimed. Overall short term confidence in the market has flattened following the rush from buy to let investors to beat the extra 3% imposed on additional homes at the start of April, says the latest monthly survey report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Survey respondents say that the uncertainty is fuelled by stamp duty changes, a weaker pound, the UK potentially leaving the EU (Brexit) and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales and local elections in England. The report also shows that the rate of house price inflation is slowing with indicators pointing to more modest house price gains and house prices have fallen further in London than elsewhere. These factors have been most strongly felt in central London, where 38% more respondents expected to see house prices fall over the next three months. The report also says that across the UK, while expectations around the number of new house sales peaked following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, this trend has reversed with 2% more respondents expecting to see the number of sales fall rather than rise over the coming months. Confidence around house price inflation has also dampened with 17% of respondents (net balance) expecting to see prices rise over the next three months, compared to 44% (net balance) in December. However, the longer term outlook suggests that prices will still be expected to rise by more than 4% each year for the next five years across England and Wales, with prices in London projected to grow by a broadly similar amount rising by 3% each year over the same period. Despite, the increased rates of stamp duty tax, now expected to be paid by prospective landlords, rent inflation, while expected to increase, is not predicted to rise any faster than it has in previous months. Although over the next five years respondents continue to anticipate rents will increase by an average of 4.5% per annum, there is no indication yet that tax increases are being passed on to the tenant. The expected rate of rent of inflation has remained constant for the past year at around 3%. ‘As expected, the buy to let rush has now run its course and, as a natural result, the market is starting to slow. But there are other significant factors that are currently weakening short term confidence in the UK property market,’ said Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist. ‘Elections inevitably bring with them periods of uncertainty in the market, and our figures would suggest that next May’s devolved elections are no exception. Likewise, the EU referendum, is likely to be an influencer in terms of the damper outlook for London in particular,’ he added. ‘However, all indications suggest that whatever the outcome of the forthcoming elections and referendum, in the long term, the imbalance between demand and supply will still exert a strong influence on the market, with house prices expected to rise by close to 25% over the next five years,’ he concluded. BOOKMARK THIS PAGE (What is this?) Source link
The new generation of Total Fire Solutions products for the built environment from AEI Cables has been welcomed amid increasing concerns about the quality of cabling in the marketplace. Specifiers and installers have recognised the highest levels of quality and safety offered by the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range using the very latest in technology and science, offering enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from one source. Stuart Dover, commercial manager for AEI Cables, said: “The market has responded quickly and positively to this new development of technology. We are hearing more cases of inferior quality cabling leading to problems for installers, particularly those installing fire alarms. “In a real fire situation, the cables powering these circuits will allow fire and rescue services to understand what is happening and ensure a safe evacuation of people.” The new generation AEI Cables’ fire performance cabling ensures critical fire-safety circuits can continue to operate in the event of a fire from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes. Calls have been made by the Approved Cables Initiative for all cable being used in the UK to conform to relevant British, European or international standards amid increasing concerns about the volume of non-approved cables coming onto the market. At the same time, the number of fires in high-rise buildings in Europe and the Middle East have brought the issue of quality of products for fire performance circuits into sharp focus. Applications for Firetec include residential and commercial buildings, shopping malls, airports and protected buildings with a heritage ensuring that fire alarms, sprinkler systems, building monitoring and security systems can continue to operate in a fire. Successful installation of Firetec has included the Francis Crick Institute research centre in London, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, the White City complex in London and Meadowhall shopping complex, Sheffield. AEI Cables serves key markets in the UK and worldwide including construction, industrial, fire protection, defence, mining and rail. For advice about the Total Fire Solutions service email sales@aeicables.co.uk or tel 0191 410 3111. See www.aeicables.co.uk
Casters are wheels that can be mounted directly to almost any piece of furniture, cabinetry, or machinery to create versatility within the space. They provide ease of mobility as well as shock absorption and protection from damage to floors and backs. Ergonomic movement of your equipment allows you to safely and easily re-configure living and work spaces for maximum comfort, convenience, or efficiency. The quick roll-out makes cleaning a snap. Storage boxes or cabinets that are ready to roll may be utilized as additional space for a variety of purposes, including seating or additional work surfaces. Equipment that is not being utilized may be rolled out of the way, freeing up the space for other purposes. Finding the right caster for the job is not difficult, but there are many to choose from and getting the right one can be a key factor to optimizing that newfound versatility for your shop or home. You Get What You Pay For Sometimes it doesn’t pay to cut corners, and if you are putting your shop space on wheels, it pays to pay a little extra. The quality of the housing and axle assemblies will reflect the durability of the unit in general. The quality and type of wheel will directly affect the ease of your roll and how long the wheels will hold up under use. A failed wheel assembly can not only result in damage to the item on wheels, but to floors, walls, and potential injury to people involved. Taking the time to find the right casters for the job can save time and money later. Caster Characteristics The load rating is the amount of weight that a wheel is able to maintain on a continuous basis. Load ratings for wheel assemblies are generally listed as light (75 to 200 pounds), medium (200 to 300 pounds), heavy (300 to 500 pounds), and industrial (over 500 pounds), depending on the expected weight of the load. Wheel mechanisms may be locking or free-wheeling, fixed-, or swivel-mounted, single- or dual-wheeled. Locking mechanisms stop rolling or swiveling motion as appropriate for Single- or Double-locking casters, respectively. Wheels may be hard, impact resistant, or pneumatic for maximum shock absorption on uneven or difficult terrain. Wheel attachment designs may include a mounting plate that is screwed or bolted to the bottom of the piece or may consist of a pin or leg that is inserted into a receiver hole. Measurements including the diameter of the wheel, radius of the swivel rotation, and overall height from the base of the flange to the outer edge of the wheel should be considered when calculating spacial requirements. Colson Series 1 wheel sets are an easy way to set your environment rolling. They are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to match the needs of your free-wheeling designs. The zinc plating and raceways that are double hardened provide rugged performance and durability. Colson’s multi-temperature grease will maintain lubrication during extreme temperatures. The Performa wheels are chemical-, thermo-, and weather-resistant. They are non-marking, somewhat cushioning, and quiet on hard surfaces. Proper planning, procuring, and placement can give your life a little versatility with a whole lot of ease.
