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21/10/2003
Industry leaders to identify green standards for construction
A high-level group of builders, developers, planners and environmental advisers will spearhead efforts to raise the environmental quality of buildings, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett announced today.
The new Sustainable Buildings Task Group will pinpoint ways in which industry and government can work together to promote sustainable development through better environmental performance in new and existing buildings, and improve significantly performance on key issues including water, energy, waste and building materials such as timber. The group will report to Ministers by February 2004, to coincide with the first anniversary of the government's Sustainable Communities Plan and Energy White Paper.
The group will look at incentives for innovation and how the planning system can help to spread best practice among designers, builders and other professions.
Mrs Beckett also launched a major new skills and training programme for heating installers to boost progress on energy efficiency highlighted in the government's Energy White Paper.
Up to 70,000 people will be trained to ensure that when new, higher standards are introduced for more energy-efficient boilers in 2005 there will be a workforce able to fit them.
The scheme will be run in partnership with the heating industry, Energy Saving Trust, and the Learning and Skills Council.
Mrs Beckett told a Better Buildings Summit that everyone in the construction industry, the financial sector and those who commission public and private buildings must play their part.
"Everyone must be clear that business as usual is not an option. Most of us live in buildings erected long before we were born and our successors will have to live with the environmental consequences of the buildings we construct today," said Mrs Beckett.
(gmcg)
The new Sustainable Buildings Task Group will pinpoint ways in which industry and government can work together to promote sustainable development through better environmental performance in new and existing buildings, and improve significantly performance on key issues including water, energy, waste and building materials such as timber. The group will report to Ministers by February 2004, to coincide with the first anniversary of the government's Sustainable Communities Plan and Energy White Paper.
The group will look at incentives for innovation and how the planning system can help to spread best practice among designers, builders and other professions.
Mrs Beckett also launched a major new skills and training programme for heating installers to boost progress on energy efficiency highlighted in the government's Energy White Paper.
Up to 70,000 people will be trained to ensure that when new, higher standards are introduced for more energy-efficient boilers in 2005 there will be a workforce able to fit them.
The scheme will be run in partnership with the heating industry, Energy Saving Trust, and the Learning and Skills Council.
Mrs Beckett told a Better Buildings Summit that everyone in the construction industry, the financial sector and those who commission public and private buildings must play their part.
"Everyone must be clear that business as usual is not an option. Most of us live in buildings erected long before we were born and our successors will have to live with the environmental consequences of the buildings we construct today," said Mrs Beckett.
(gmcg)
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24 September 2008
EDF To Takeover British Energy
The Government welcomed EDF's proposed £12.5 billion takeover offer for British Energy Group and the British Energy Board's recommendation of the offer to its shareholders. The Government has committed to accept the cash offer of 774p per share for its 36% stake held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF), subject to certain conditions.
EDF To Takeover British Energy
The Government welcomed EDF's proposed £12.5 billion takeover offer for British Energy Group and the British Energy Board's recommendation of the offer to its shareholders. The Government has committed to accept the cash offer of 774p per share for its 36% stake held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF), subject to certain conditions.
03 July 2015
Minute's Silence Held For Tunisia Attack Victims
A national one minute of silence was held today at 12pm as a mark of respect to those who died in a terrorist attack in Tunisia last week. Flags will also be lowered to half-mast at government buildings, military bases and embassies. Buckingham Palace will also fly its flag at half mast for an official day of mourning.
Minute's Silence Held For Tunisia Attack Victims
A national one minute of silence was held today at 12pm as a mark of respect to those who died in a terrorist attack in Tunisia last week. Flags will also be lowered to half-mast at government buildings, military bases and embassies. Buckingham Palace will also fly its flag at half mast for an official day of mourning.
07 August 2008
Teenager Shot Dead Outside London Convenience Store
The teenager shot dead in a supermarket in south-east London yesterday was an innocent bystander. The victim, thought to be 18, was shot at the Costcutter store on Camberwell Road, Walworth, on Wednesday. Police were called to the scene at 9.41pm after an emergency call saying a man had been shot.
Teenager Shot Dead Outside London Convenience Store
The teenager shot dead in a supermarket in south-east London yesterday was an innocent bystander. The victim, thought to be 18, was shot at the Costcutter store on Camberwell Road, Walworth, on Wednesday. Police were called to the scene at 9.41pm after an emergency call saying a man had been shot.
17 September 2007
Man Dies In Blackpool Hotel Fire
One man has been killed and five other people have been injured in a fire at a hotel in Blackpool. Twelve fire crews were called to the Manor Hotel on the Central Promenade around 3:30am on Monday when the fire broke out in the four-storey building.
Man Dies In Blackpool Hotel Fire
One man has been killed and five other people have been injured in a fire at a hotel in Blackpool. Twelve fire crews were called to the Manor Hotel on the Central Promenade around 3:30am on Monday when the fire broke out in the four-storey building.
05 November 2003
Planners must focus more on green issues, urges minister
Long-term environmental considerations should be taken into account by local planning authorities, the government has said today. Launching consultation on a new planning statement on renewable energy, Planning Minister Yvette Cooper pointed to the damage traditional energy sources can have on the environment.
Planners must focus more on green issues, urges minister
Long-term environmental considerations should be taken into account by local planning authorities, the government has said today. Launching consultation on a new planning statement on renewable energy, Planning Minister Yvette Cooper pointed to the damage traditional energy sources can have on the environment.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
