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A report by recruitment specialist Randstad suggests that British construction needs to increase their workforce by one million by 2021 if we are to meet current house-building targets.

The study follows the recent relaxing of planning laws and ambitious claims by the government to build one million new homes in the next 5 years.

The report calculated that there were just shy of one million people working within the housebuilding trades and professions in Britain today, who are aiming to complete 148,000 new homes this year.

Measures to equip councils with powers to bring thousands of long-term empty homes back into use have been debated this week in Parliament.

The new legislation will allow councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for years. Local authorities can currently levy a 50% premium.

Whilst the number of homes empty for 6 months or longer remains substantially lower than when records began in 2004, councils will be handed powers to levy additional charges on homes standing empty for 2 years or more.

Green deal

The Green Deal scheme aims to encourage people to install insulation or other home improvement measures to cut their energy usage. The policy originally offered loans for homeowners to fund the work but after low take-up ministers began offering cash grants, which have proved hugely popular.

Proposals to create the first state of the art Dementia Centres of Excellence in Staffordshire reached a major milestone today (Thursday) as plans to develop them were formally agreed.

The multi-million pound flagship centres will be developed by partner Symphony – a consortium made up of the Accord Group, Keepmoat and Quattro Architects, in Lichfield and Burton and promise to transform care and support for residents and their families throughout their condition.

Social housing campaign group Generation Rent suggest that Britain’s Houses of Parliament should be converted into affordable flats to save taxpayer money and tackle the housing shortage.

Located in the centre of the UK capital, a riverside one bedroom flat in the historic building could cost as little as £258 per week, according to the activists.