Worsening skills shortages in the construction sector could threaten many building projects in the South West by 2019, new research* reveals today.
Data released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) highlights the severity of the skills shortages facing businesses across the region.
More than nine tenths (93%) of the surveyors questioned said that a lack of qualified candidates meant they had problems recruiting, but more alarming is the amount of paid work being turned down by many companies.
Three in five (60%) surveying firms in the South West...
At least 550 new foster families are needed across the South West region during 2015 to provide stable, secure and loving homes for record numbers of fostered children, according to figures released today from The Fostering Network. Each day sees over 63,000 children living with over 52,500 foster families in homes across the UK. With a rising number of children coming into care, and around 13 per cent of foster carers retiring or leaving the service last year, there is a need to not only recruit more foster carers but also better utilise the current pool of foster carers. More foster...
People are being encouraged to ensure they don’t miss their chance to vote in this year’s elections.
Exeter City Council is urging any local residents not yet registered to vote, to go online now and register. National Voter Registration Day, which encourages people to get involved in the democratic process by ensuring they are registered to vote, is being held on 5 February, although voter registration can take place at any time.
There are less than 100 days until voters go to the polls to elect a Member of Parliament for the Exeter and East Devon constituencies. Local...
Purplebricks.com, the modern model of estate agency, has launched in the South West following successful roll outs across the Meridian and Central regions of the UK. The transparent estate agent combines the expertise of a Local Property Expert with a unique, 24/7, online platform at a fraction of the cost charged by high street estate agents. Since its initial launch in April 2014, Purplebricks.com has sold over 1,000 properties and saved consumers over £1.2 million in estate agency fees, with 99% of all properties sold securing the asking price or more. With 25,442 properties currently...
The latest figures for 2014 show that crime continues to fall across the region.
Recorded figures for January to December 2014 showed a decrease of 3.2% or 2,747 fewer offences compared to 2013, with reductions across a number of crime groups.
The updated picture shows the Force continues to see reductions in public order offences (down by 14.8%), theft (-10.7%), Burglary (-5.7%), and criminal damage has fallen by 5.9%.
In line with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, there are certain types of crime that the Force want to see a rise in the reporting of...
Employers could face an upskill struggle when recruiting for the roles available in a changing job market, set to grow by around 37% in the South West, according to CBI predictions.
The National Careers Council says over half of employers are not confident they will find sufficient recruits for jobs on offer. Growth is expected in sectors such as computer technology, tourism and healthcare, with decline anticipated in areas such as call centre, secretarial and banking employment.*
Graduates will be in higher demand as the job market picks up, with 30% of employers expecting...
A new study from the University of Exeter has found that viruses carried by commercial bees can jump to wild pollinator populations with potentially devastating effects.
The researchers are calling for new measures to be introduced that will prevent the introduction of diseased pollinators into natural environments.
Commercial species of honey bee and bumble bee are typically used to pollinate crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers and oilseed rape. Fast evolving viruses carried by these managed populations have the potential to decimate wild pollinator species, including...
Sleet and snow is forecast for Devon as temperatures are set to drop below freezing this weekend and into next week.
A severe weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for tomorrow (Saturday), valid from 3am until lunchtime.
A forecaster at the Met Office said: “A band of rain, sleet and snow will spread east across the region on Saturday morning. 2cm-4cm of snow is likely to fall on high ground, chiefly over the moors, but there is a risk of some snow at lower levels.
“Icy patches may form, especially on untreated surfaces and the puublic should be aware of...
New research reveals that that one in six people in Britain have kept secrets from their loved ones by hiding or lying about rent or mortgage troubles.
Research from Shelter and YouGov paints a picture of a nation of ‘secret strugglers’ who are keeping housing worries from their partners and families. People reported secretly taking out loans, selling items such as jewellery, and even shredding bills to keep their problems hidden.
The strain of today’s sky-high housing costs is taking its toll, with almost a quarter of people (24%) losing sleep because they are worried...
Devon County Council’s snow wardens have been put on standby for the coldest spell so far this winter.
Road surface temperatures are set to plummet below -5 C overnight tonight and are not expected to rise above freezing before 9am tomorrow. The County Council is advising people to take extreme care if travelling tomorrow morning, particularly on untreated roads.
Devon County Council gritters will be treating around 1,700 miles of the precautionary salting network across the county from 3pm this afternoon and again in the early hours.
