Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
World Cities Review published on 10 September. Hong Kong had the highest half year price growth at 7.4 per cent, with London rising 2.8 per cent. Both were higher than the index average of 1.2 per cent. (Source: Savills) New rural contract to encourage rural economic growth A new rural contract was announced by the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 12 September. The Rural Statement gives Rural England a new power to hold the Government to account on growing the rural economy and supporting rural communities. (Source: Defra) 44 per cent of council chiefs think planning should remain in-house 44 per cent of council leaders and chief executives think that planning services should remain in-house, according to a report by Localis and Capita Symonds published on 13 September. The report, entitled Catalyst Councils: a new future for local public service delivery, also found more than a third of leaders and chief executives surveyed think that there are no local services that could not be delivered by a private or voluntary sector provider. (Source: Planning) Expert task force and 200m fund announced for rental house building sector At the RESI 2012 housing conference, Peter Schofield, the Director General of Neighbourhoods at CLG, announced plans to launch an expert task force to stimulate the private rental house building sector. The task force will help deliver a 200m fund to provide short to medium term financing for developers with viable rent projects. (Source: Construction News) London only area to report average house price increases Activity in the UK housing market remained consistent in the three months to August 2012, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors UK Housing Market Survey published on 11 September. Chartered surveyors sold 7.5 per cent of homes on their books, a similar proportion to the rest of 2012 albeit being historically low. House prices edged lower in August, with only London reporting average price increases. (Source: RICS) Construction activity down 10 per cent Activity in the UK construction sector decreased by 10.1 per cent in the year to July, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on 14 September. Between May and July, output was also down by 10 per cent compared to the same three months last year. However, the ONS stated that the effect of having two extra days holiday in June left output unusually depressed. In comparison, construction output increased by 2.2 per cent between June and July 2012. (Source: ONS) Construction workforce at lowest level since Q2 2011 The construction workforce in the UK fell to 1,996,000, its lowest level since Q2 2011, according to ONS figures published on 12 September. Figures for June 2012 were 35,000 lower than the workforce in March 2012, which stood at 2,031,000. (Source: ONS)
Transport
Sustainable transport scheme confirmed for Tyne and Wear On 11 September, the Rt Hon Norman Baker MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport at the Department for Transport (DfT), confirmed almost 5 million of funding for the Go Smarter to Work Tyne and Wear Sustainable Transport Package. The scheme includes measures to relieve congestion on the A1 Western Bypass and new infrastructure such as priority bus lanes, cycle and pedestrian routes and cycle parking at key transport interchanges. (Source: DfT) Proposals unveiled for London Britannia Airport in the Thames Estuary On 12 September, new proposals for a floating airport in the Thames Estuary were unveiled by architects Gensler. London Britannia Airport includes four floating runways tethered to the sea bed and could accommodate future expansion to six runways when required. The economic case for a new hub airport has been criticised as costs up to 60 billion would need to be recouped from charges which would deter operators. (Source: BBC)
MPs call for smart ticketing and for councils to have greater control on bus services The Transport Select Committee has called for bus service improvements to be prioritised in a report published on 13 September. The report, entitled Competition in the local bus market, states that rail passengers are treated more favourably than bus passengers despite more than three times as many people travelling by bus compared to rail. The report also called for smart ticketing (like Oyster cards) to be used and for local authorities to be given more control over local bus services allowing them to set standards, timetables and fares. (Source: Transport Select Committee)
Other news
Vince Cable outlines vision for British industry On 11 September, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP set out his vision for the future of British industry which includes establishing a business bank to help companies invest in capital and drive their expansion. He also stated that the government is committed to a long-term, strategic partnership with industry which will provide greater clarity on where efforts will be focused. (Source: BIS) 165 million boost to skills training 34 businesses, including Siemens, Sembcorp, BAE Systems and Nissan, have been announced as the successful bidders to design new vocational training programmes for young people. On 11 September, Vince Cable announced a range of first round projects as part of the Employer Ownership Pilot. The initiative will see 67 million invested by the Government and 98 million by the private sector in projects such as Manchester Airports school leavers academy and Arla Foods proposals to train employees both within the company and in its supply chain. (Source: BIS)
Bank of England governor job to be advertised The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, announced on 11 September that the position of governor of the Bank of England would be advertised for the first time. The closing date for applications to succeed Sir Mervyn King is 8 October with an announcement on the new governor expected at the end of 2012. (Source: BBC) 25-year plan needed for Olympic legacy A leading urban policy think tank has warned that the Government, Mayor of London, London Legacy Development Corporation and the Olympic Boroughs must develop a 25-year plan and make long-term funding commitments if London is to avoid the legacy failures of previous Olympic host cities. Centre for Cities has published a five-point plan, entitled A Marathon not a Sprint? which also identifies the need to develop a clear vision for the Olympic legacy, deliver a social legacy in East London and capitalise on successful ideas from the Games. (Source: Centre for Cities) John Kingman to return as infrastructure permanent secretary It was announced on 11 September that John Kingman will return to his role as second permanent secretary in the Treasury including responsibility for the economics function (including growth), financial services and infrastructure. Mr Kingman will take up his role in October following a period as co-head of the financial institutions group at Rothschild. (Source: HM Treasury)
About Camargue
Camargue is one of the largest independent PR agencies in the UK. Our core markets are: Business and Professional services, Energy and the Environment, Property and Infrastructure, Construction and Materials. The focus of our work is to inform and influence the media, business and political stakeholders, employees, local communities, and, from time to time, the public at large. Our aim is to help shape opinions, responses and behaviours in order to support our clients' commercial objectives. We provide the full spectrum of communications services. All of our campaigns are based on sound research and have targets against which actual results can be measured. We work with clients on a retained and project basis. Our work includes: Stakeholder liaison Media relations Political planning programmes Research Communications strategy Public affairs Evaluation Event management Design and marketing collateral Web and multimedia
For more information: www.camarguepr.com London Jenny Marshall Director 020 7636 7366 jmarshall@camarguepr.com Cheltenham Tim Read Director 01242 577 277 tread@camarguepr.com Birmingham Stuart Fox Director 0121 616 5920 sfox@camarguepr.com
Camargue Group Limited registered office: Eagle Tower, Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1TA. Registered Number 03954008