May 2007 News From around the UK

·Timber frame housing grew three times faster than any other method of construction in 2006

( www.timber-frame.org)

The market share for timber frame construction has more than doubled 1999 and now stands at 20.5% of all new housing in 2006, according to the first Interim Market Report published for members of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA).

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Business - Finance - Environment - Community - Benfield ATT

News: Environment, Climate & Attitudes

·Water policy 'outdated' as climate changes

( www.edie.net)

Britain's water policy urgently needs updating to adapt the country to a changing climate, environment minister Ian Pearson has said.

Launching a debate on the revised National Water Strategy in London this week, the minister said the UK's current water policy, last updated five years ago, is now "tired and outdated."

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Business - Finance - Environment - Community - Benfield ATT

News: Society, Community & Responsible Business

• Morley: “Businesses should report on their environmental impacts”

Environment Minister, Elliot Morley, today urged businesses to report on their environmental impacts, especially as new Defra guidelines will make it easier than ever to do so.

The message comes on the back of recent coverage on the removal of the Operating and Finance Review (OFR) which suggested that environmental reporting was no longer necessary.

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News: Finance & Economy

·Rate rises could spark housing crash, says Nationwide

Britain's biggest building society warned yesterday of the dangers of a housing crash if interest rates are jacked up aggressively.

Unveiling another punchy increase in house prices, which pushed the annual rate of increase back up into double digits,

( independent.co.uk)

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Business - Finance - Environment - Community - Benfield ATT