Opinion 鈥� Page 385
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CommentThe blacklist: how, why and what now?
So construction鈥檚 shameful secret is out. But how did the information watchdog track down the firm that was keeping the blacklist? And what action will be taken against it and its 40 clients?
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CommentThe world in a pencil
A graphite mark on a piece of paper is one of the most powerful, versatile and informative objects in the world. So why don鈥檛 engineers make more use of it?
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Comment星空传媒 buys a pint... Davy Smith Architects
When I arrive at the curiously named George and Vulture off Old Street, the team from Davy Smith Architects are clustered around a baby grand piano
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I don't believe the construction jobs figures...do you?
Many thanks to Jonathan for commenting below on my thoughts on the jobs figures released this morning. He comes from a recruitment background, so sees the situation first hand, and he seems as puzzled as I do over the official data that suggest construction employment is holding firm at a ...
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Are falling rents a prelude to a further nasty correction in house prices?
The latest survey of the rental market by the surveyors' body RICS suggests that the flood of "couldn't sell" properties into the lettings market has led to a sharp fall in rents. And the expectations are that rents will fall further.This rather fits with a recent conversation with an agent ...
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Construction gains 47,000 jobs in 2008 - it may be official but I don't believe it
Apparently there were 2,285,000 or so jobs in construction in the final quarter of last year up 47,000 on a year earlier and just 1,000 down on the quarter before, which appears to be the peak in this economic cycle.Puzzled? Wondering where these jobs are? Wondering why you are signing ...
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The Wrekin Ruby. The Italian valuers know "niente".
So, what鈥檚 the truth behind the Wrekin ruby?In case you havent heard, it's the 拢11m gemstone owner David Unwin junior used to shore up the balance sheet of the Shropshire based civil engineering specialist before it went under last week.Wrekin鈥檚 last company accounts claim it was valued at 拢11m by ...
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British Workers for British Jobs - be careful what you wish for
The news that Britain is looking to curb the flow of non-EU surveyors and construction managers entering these shores will no doubt be welcomed unreservedly by many.Not me. I read that piece of news with some deep regrets.Why?Because it represents just one more door closing on the opportunity for people ...
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CommentI鈥檓 cynically depressed
What鈥檚 going to happen to architecture now that the tyranny of the icon has ended? Well, looking around at the current state of the art, we shouldn鈥檛 get our hopes up
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The evolving apprentice
Laing O鈥橰ourke should be applauded for its commitment to doubling its apprentice numbers (27 February, page 10), but one of the most interesting parts of the story, which did not feature in your article, is that Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 new Apprenticeship Plus programme shows the evolving nature of construction training
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CommentBlackening our name
What is it with this industry? Just when you think we鈥檝e left the Dark Ages well behind something comes along to remind us what a short step we are from dodgy and outdated working practices
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CommentWonders & blunders
Roger Alton is at home at Terminal 5, but needs a map to find his way around the Barbican
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CommentWhat鈥檚 Russian for carpe diem?
Russia is hosting the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014, and UK construction should seize the day 鈥� with a little help from the British government, says Lord Davies of Abersoch
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CommentCould do (a lot) better
It鈥檚 good that Cabe is assessing designs for 星空传媒 Schools for the Future, but the way it鈥檚 going about it leaves much to be desired
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CommentCakes and ale? Fat chance
While bigwigs from our own industry forgo power lunches and business-class flights for the communal fridge and easyJet, at least Dubai鈥檚 know the value of pointlessly exorbitant gestures 鈥�
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Do as you would be done by
With our construction supply chain under pressure, I read with great interest your article 鈥淥ut of credit鈥� (27 February, page 20)
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CommentThese things are important
Bernard Cribbins was the voice of The Wombles, not Paddington, who was voiced by Michael Hordern (27 February, page 32)
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Bargain basement
I read with interest the articles on markets that could ease the burden of recession and on the complex regulations associated with loft conversions (20 February, pages 46 and 62)