On 25 April 2024, executive approval was given by the Northern Ireland Assembly for legislation to extend the limitation period for actions taken in relation to defective or damaged buildings – from six years to 15 years prospectively and from six years to 30 years retrospectively.
This would achieve parity with the legislative position in England and Wales.
In May, the UK government published its consultation response about the regulation of heat networks, confirming its intention to introduce new legislation in 2025 to enshrine consumer protections on pricing and performance.
From 2025 National Heat Network Zoning policy will come into force, which will seek to decarbonise heat through zoning and scheme development across England and Wales.
The Association of Noise Consultants has received a number of enquiries seeking clarity over the acoustic requirements of Approved Document O (ADO) ‘Overheating’ England. In response it has produced a Q&A document.
According to a National Audit Office (NAO) report, there are risks to the effectiveness of a government policy, launched in February, to make sure developers in England protect or improve biodiversity on land they are developing.
The Department for Education has proposed several changes to apprenticeship funding rules for the 2024/25 academic year, focusing on additional learning support, subcontracting and functional skills for apprentices with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Registered social housing landlord Kingdom Housing Association has accessed £50,000 of funds through the Social Housing Fuel Support Fund (provided by the Scottish government and delivered through the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations) to support customers with fuel debts.
EngineeringUK’s research report – Graduate Outcomes – uses the latest data from HESA to explore engineering and technology graduates’ activity 15 months on from graduation.
A member of the public who leaned on iron balustrade on a seaside promenade fell four metres onto the beach when the railings gave way. Another member of the public below narrowly avoided being struck by the person and the falling railing.
A report from the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has revealed that 80% of scaffold accidents among its members are due to manual handling, slips, trips and falls from height.
The award-winning innovators creating solutions to the biggest climate challenges will be announced on 27 June. This year’s ceremony will be part of London Climate Action Week. Visit b.link/AA_24
RICS has published Code of Conduct Rule 4 guidance for professionals in a bid to boost diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the surveying profession.
