insideKENT Magazine Issue 32 - November 2014 | Page 168

PROPERTY Minimum wage property options now available to another million people With the news that over a million workers who are on minimum wage have received a welcomed pay rise this October, leading online estate agent, eMoov.co.uk, has looked at the affordability of property available to low-income workers. Minimum wage went up to £6.50 this week, a rise of 19 pence per hour. This now means those on the lowest legal wage are set to see their pay rise by as much as £355 a year. The rising cost of property has been well documented over recent years, as well as the affordability and availability of mortgages. Many think that being on minimum wage means that there is little to no chance of getting onto the property ladder, however this is not the case. Those on minimum wage will take home £11,574 a year for a regular 37.5 hours a week job. The Council of Mortgage Lenders have the latest national average income multiple at 3.22. A 90% mortgage therefore available for those on minimal wage is £33,500. Russell Quirk, property expert and CEO of online estate agent, eMoov.co.uk, commented: “The rise in minimum wage and talk of further benefits in 2015 must be welcome news to many this week. Next year’s general election fight has already started with the parties targeting votes from low-income families. Last week, Ed Miliband promised to increase the minimum wage to £8 an hou r by 2019, while chancellor, George Osborne, said he wanted the legal minimum to increase to £7. David Cameron has also promised to scrap income tax on minimum wage. These rises now mean that at least another million people in the UK can be the king or queen of their own castle." Career in architecture is child’s play for Katy It started with a love of LEGO as a child. Now, more than 20 years later, Katy Murray is on her way to realising her life-long ambition to become a fully qualified architect. The 25-year-old graduate has just joined her parents’ award-winning building design and construction company, Directline Structures, as a full-time designer, having gained valuable experience at the Ashfordbased company since the age of 15. “I’ve never wanted to do anything else,” says Katy, who lives in Ashford and is a former pupil of Cranbrook School. “I used to build LEGO walls with my dad when I was a child and then we’d test them to find the weak points. I soon learnt that I could strengthen them by overlapping the blocks!” Katy describes herself as one of a new generation of ‘collaborative’ architects: “Architects shouldn’t view themselves as head of the construction process – the so-called ‘star-chitects’ – but a part of it,” she says. “That’s why I’ve chosen to work at Directline Structures, where the emphasis is very much on teamwork and collaboration between a trusted group of specialists.” Having studied design and technology, as well as art, physics and maths at school, Katy went on to spend four years at the University of Bath – one of the most highly rated for architecture in the Sunday Times University Guide 2014 – where she gained a BSc (Hons) in the field. She then gained a graduate diploma in architecture at Kingston University, West London. Following completion of her university degrees, Katy is now Part 2 qualified and will spend another year in practice before sitting her final exams. Katy Murray She has enjoyed work experience at three Kent architect firms, but it was at her parents’ company that she found her real inspiration. right through to completion. That means I have the immense satisfaction of being involved in all aspects of the construction process and seeing a project that started as a concept sketch come to fruition.” Katy’s father and managing director of Directline Structures, Duncan Murray, adds: “Katy has always been very passionate about the business and has been working part-time with us over the last few years. We’re delighted she has chosen to join us full-time following completion of her degree. “There’s a world of difference between theory and actually putting a design into practice,” says Katy. “My first year at the University of Bath included a focus on civil engineering, so I’m able to approach construction projects with the practical mind of an engineer, as well as the creativity and design flair of an architect. “She has already been involved in a number of highly successful projects, including a sports hall and sixth form centre. Her fresh ideas and enthusiasm will make her a valuable addition to the team as the company continues to expand.” Directline Structures has been developing commercial steel buildings since 1988 and specialises in cost-effective buildings for the education sector across the South East of England. “Directline Structures specialises in one-stop design and build projects that provide the whole package to clients, from conception For further information, visit www.directlinestructures.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01580 240089. 168