Pro Installer November 2015 - Issue 32 | Page 52

52 NOVEMBER 2015 PRO INSTALLER PRO BUSINESS www.proinstaller.co.uk MPs propose 2035 deadline for asbestos removal FSB reacts to GDP growth of 0.5% Commenting the announcement at the end of October that UK GDP grew by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2015, John Allan, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Business growth remains positive, although the slight slowdown is reflected in recent research showing confidence among FSB members is cooling. The cautious tone is being driven in part by uncertainty around the stability of the global economy. Closer to home, many small businesses are wondering how they will absorb changes to tax treatment on dividends, increases in some of their staff wages through the National Living Wage and the cost of pensions auto-enrolment on top of already high business rates bills. ‘interest rates remaining stable for an extended period at 0.5%’ “In this climate of moderate growth, the Bank of England has provided some certainty with interest rates remaining stable for an extended period at 0.5%. Many small businesses will be heartened by signals from The Bank of England governor Mark Carney suggesting rates will continue along this course for the remainder of the year.” www.fsb.org.uk/contacts MPs have put forward a range of measures that could see asbestos removed from all rented homes, businesses and public buildings by 2035. The all-party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Health and Safety is calling for a new asbestos eradication law, in a bid to wipe out all traces of the deadly material. In its report, the group says a national programme of asbestos surveys should be carried out in properties built before 2000 by 2022. In buildings where materials containing asbestos are uncovered, owners would be required to remove them when carrying out refurbishments or repair work. Landlords would have to lay out plans to rid their buildings of asbestos before the ultimate deadline of 2035, or 2028 in the case of public buildings and educational institutions. The group is also urging the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local councils to put togeth- er timetables for the removal of asbestos from workplaces up and down the country. Further proposals would see home-buyers’ surveys include a duty to carry out asbestos inspections before any house sale could be completed. Homeowners would then have to pass on information about the presence of the material to any contractors working on the property. Brian Rye, national secretary of the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians, said: “This report demonstrates that new regulations are urgently needed in order to ensure that construction workers undertaking maintenance and refurbishment work are properly protected. “Workers should not be expected to play Russian roulette with their health.” Kevin Fear, Health and Safety Strategy Lead at CITB, said: “Today’s announcement to tackle asbestos is a positive step for the construction industry. Asbestos is a hidden killer and around 20 tradespeople per week die due to past exposure. “CITB will continue to work closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to help minimise the risk of asbestos to construction w orkers around the UK.” According to the HSE, regulations state that materials containing asbestos can be managed and monitored if they are in good condition and unlikely to be damaged. Training must also be given to workers such as cable installers who are at risk of exposure to asbestos. Source: www.citb.co.uk