Rising material costs and late payments continue to impact trade firms, government wants to install water saving toilets in new homes and a plumber makes grisly discovery
The skills crisis, late payments, and the spiralling cost of materials have topped a list of concerns for UK tradespeople — that’s according to a survey by Checkatrade.
Nearly 70% of the 850 survey respondents also said the increase in employer contributions to National Insurance was a major barrier to future growth.
Despite tough market conditions, seven out of 10 tradespeople remained upbeat about their business outlook.
While just 7% were pessimistic about the future of their business.
Nine in ten of tradespeople polled also said they had ambitions to own their firm.
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New homes could be forced to install water saving taps, showers and toilets.
The government launched a consultation process last week on tightening mandatory water efficiency standards.
The proposals could cut water consumption by 20 litres per person, per a day, without impacting ‘user experience’.
The consultation will also look at ideas such as harvesting rainwater to flush toilets.
The government hopes that by removing water shortage barriers, it can unlock stalled development projects.
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A plumber in Texas found a decomposed human skull while mowing the lawn at work.
Walter Stephens, who works for Harrell Commercial Plumbing in San Antonio, initially thought the gruesome discovery was “a dried cantaloupe or something”.
A police investigation soon discovered multiple bones and other body parts scattered behind the business.
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