London-focused housebuilder Galliard reported a pre-tax loss of £12.8m for the year to March 2023, down from a £4.6m profit in the previous year, with turnover decreasing by 18% to £167m. The loss was attributed to nearly £24m of exceptional items, including a provision for building safety work expected over the next eight years. Executive Chairman Stephen Conway emphasized Galliard's commitment to ensuring leaseholders are not held responsible for remediation costs. The accounts also disclosed a £39.6m provision for building safety, onerous leases, and a HMRC matter, as well as a £6.6m payment to an outgoing director, believed to be former CEO Don O’Sullivan. Conway cited lower construction activity, fewer completions, inflation, and the war in Ukraine as factors affecting turnover. Galliard, along with City Developments Limited, recently acquired the Morden Wharf development from LandsecU+I and Morden College charity.

Eight UK housebuilders, including Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, and Persimmon, are under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority for alleged anti-competitive behavior. If found guilty, they could face fines totaling £2.5bn. The CMA is probing whether these firms shared sensitive information to influence new home prices and build-out rates. While the CMA can fine up to 10% of annual global turnover, it is noted that they rarely impose the maximum. The companies have varying potential fines based on their turnover, with Barratt facing the highest at £532m. Responses from Bloor Homes and Taylor Wimpey indicate cooperation with the investigation, while others declined to comment or have not yet responded.

A joint venture between Vinci and Sir Robert McAlpine, Integrated Health Projects, has been appointed by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust as the design and construction partner for renovations at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The project includes a new emergency department in Shrewsbury and is valued at £312m, with work beginning at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital later this month and expected to span several years.

London developer Helical has hired Elliott Saunders as senior development executive from Third London Wall and Matt Redgrave as development executive from Turner & Townsend. Saunders, who has also worked at Avison Young, has experience with projects including Farringdon Crossrail, 5 Broadgate, and 80 Fenchurch Street. Redgrave joined Helical after over seven years at T&T.

Modulous, a modular housebuilder, is set to enter administration due to a £4m debt and a failed attempt to secure additional funding. CEO Chris Bone cited challenges with venture capital markets as a key factor. The company, which had developed a physical kit for multi-storey housing and a digital design tool named TESSA, had raised £10m in Series A funding but faced delays and withdrawal of pledged funds. Modulous's only client was Bristol County Council, and the company's assets are now being sold off by administrators Opus Restructuring. Employees face uncertainty regarding redundancy payments.

UK house prices saw a significant drop in December, with an average decrease of £7,000, marking a 1.9% reduction and exceeding the 20-year average for December. Despite a year-on-year decrease of only 1.1%, the overall market remained resilient. Mortgage rates have been declining for 19 consecutive weeks, with the average 5-year fixed mortgage rate now at 5.11%. Transaction levels have fallen by 13% compared to 2022, and while asking prices have generally decreased, the South East experienced the most notable decline at 3.7%. Conversely, the North West saw a 1.5% increase in prices. Rightmove forecasts a 1% drop in new seller asking prices for 2024. Other building societies like Halifax and Nationwide reported slight increases in house prices for November.

Housing 21, a retirement living housing association, has made Andrew Shaw the permanent chief financial officer after he served on an interim basis since January and has been with the organization for ten years. Kris Peach and Pam Mastrantonio have been promoted to managing directors, while Amina Graham is leaving, and her role will not be replaced. Bruce Moore, the Chief Executive, emphasized the importance of Shaw's appointment for the organization's financial framework. Housing 21 manages over 23,300 properties in England and reported an annual turnover of £251.5m. Michael McDonagh was appointed interim chair in October, and the search for a new chair for 2024 continues after merger talks with The ExtraCare Charitable Trust were shelved.

The Croydon Park Hotel site in South London is set to be redeveloped into a £220m build-to-rent scheme named Botanical House, comprising 447 rental homes across two towers. The project, a joint venture between Amro Partners and Flemyn, aims to meet high sustainability standards, including BREEAM 'Outstanding rating', Fitwel3 certification, and WiredScore Platinum. The development will feature a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, with 20% being affordable housing. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, with completion expected in 2027.

Marks & Spencer has been granted permission by the High Court to appeal a decision by Michael Gove, the communities secretary, that blocked the demolition and redevelopment of its flagship Oxford Street store. The retailer is seeking a judicial review of the July ruling, which was made on heritage and environmental grounds. M&S CEO Stuart Machin criticized the government's decision and emphasized the need for the Marble Arch proposal, which includes the demolition of three buildings for a new store and office block. The plans had previously been approved by Westminster Council and backed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan but were called in by Gove. Save Britain’s Heritage, opposing the redevelopment, will continue to defend the claim. A two-day hearing is scheduled for next year.

Exclusive research by executive search consulting firm Beaumont Bailey for Housing Today has provided insights into the average salaries for leadership roles at the top 50 UK housebuilders. The survey, which received 272 anonymous responses from leaders, revealed that a regional chairman or managing director is paid an average of £251,000 a year.

Pension Insurance Corporation has invested £50m in a development of 125 affordable and shared ownership homes in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, marking its first foray into affordable housing. The project, funded through debt and equity, is a collaboration with London Square and Square Roots, aiming for completion by November 2025. The investment is part of PIC's broader £500m commitment to the London affordable housing sector, with the development also receiving a £4.9m grant from the Mayor of London's Affordable Housing Programme. The initiative is expected to provide secure cash flows for PIC's policyholders' pensions while addressing the housing shortage and generating social value in the region.

The construction industry is expected to face continued economic challenges with a forecasted output growth of 15% over the next two years. Glenigan's UK Construction Industry Forecast 2023-2025 indicates a cautious private sector investment and a housing market slowdown for the remainder of the year, with a decline in non-residential sectors. However, growth is anticipated in 2024 and 2025, driven by a strong development pipeline. Interest rates, which are believed to have peaked, may ease from 2024, potentially boosting private sector activity. Planning consents and main contract awards have seen a decline in 2023, and Barbour ABI's analysis shows a significant drop in new contract awards in October.

Justin Lowe, a former ISG regional pre-construction director, has joined John Sisk as operations director for its London commercial arm and will also sit on the company’s UK South board. This follows the appointment of Steven McGee, another ex-ISG employee, as COO in August. Despite a pre-tax loss in 2022, Sisk is optimistic about returning to profitability and its business prospects for 2024. The company is also expected to undertake the expansion of Manchester City’s Etihad stadium.

Housebuilding in the UK has dropped to the lowest levels since the COVID-19 lockdown, according to the National House Building Council (NHBC). New home registrations fell by 53% in Q3 compared to the same period in 2022, and completed homes decreased by 15%. The NHBC, which covers 70-80% of new homes in the UK, reported 20,680 new homes registered in Q3, with a significant year-on-year decline in both the private sector and affordable or build-to-rent sectors. Northern Ireland experienced a 52% increase in registrations, contrary to the overall trend. Economic conditions such as high interest rates and inflation, an ineffective planning system, and complex regulations were cited as reasons for the slowdown by NHBC's CEO, Steve Wood. Additionally, Glenigan reported a 30% drop in residential starts and a 35% decrease in the value of work compared to 2022 levels.

The UK government will not introduce new legislation to address nutrient neutrality rules that have been impeding the construction of 150,000 homes. Housing Secretary Michael Gove had expressed a desire to scrap these rules, but an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill was defeated in the House of Lords. With the King's Speech not including any new legislation on the matter, the government's plans to legislate on nutrient neutrality have been dropped. The speech did outline other government plans, including a long-term strategy for town regeneration and reforms to leasehold and freehold arrangements.

St William Homes, a joint venture between Berkeley Group and National Grid, has submitted plans to Newham Council for transforming the Bromley-by-Bow Gasworks, the largest surviving group of Victorian gasholders, into a new neighbourhood with 2,100 homes. The development in East London will include a 170,000 sq ft mixed-use development with residential buildings and major re-landscaping, including a riverside park. The masterplan is in outline form, with a full planning application for the first phase, which includes 634 homes and commercial space. RSHP is the architect, and Craddys and Shepley Engineers Limited are advising on the restoration.

Ballymore and Sainsbury’s have submitted a planning application for a joint venture development at Kensal Canalside in Kensington and Chelsea, aiming to deliver 2,519 new homes, including 500 affordable homes, two parks, and commercial spaces. The 19-acre brownfield site, currently housing a Sainsbury’s supermarket and other facilities, is designated as an opportunity area in the Mayor’s London Plan. The masterplan, developed by FaulknerBrowns Architects and Spacehub, could see construction start in 2025 with the first homes and a new Sainsbury’s supermarket completed by 2030.

The article from The Independent discusses the changing needs of travelers and the consequent demands on suitcases and cabin travel bags. It provides advice on what to look for when choosing the best suitcase for different types of travel, such as city breaks or long-haul adventures. The article recommends hard-sided cases made of polypropylene for durability and ease of maintenance, and soft-sided cases made of polyamide for similar benefits. It also suggests looking for features like reinforcement over wheels and compression zips for added functionality. The testing process involved rolling, dragging, and overfilling the suitcases across various destinations to ensure they can protect travel essentials and provide ease of use. The article concludes by teasing the best suitcases for 2023 without actually listing them.

The article discusses the concept of 'Outsider Art', a term used to describe art created by self-taught individuals often isolated from society, such as those with mental health issues or living in institutions. The genre, rooted in 'art of the insane' and Art Brut by Jean Debuffet, is explored for its raw and instinctual nature, contrasting with the intellectualism of contemporary art. A New York exhibition, 'Known/Unknown: Private Obsession and Hidden Desire in Outsider Art', at the Museum of Sex, showcases erotic artworks by outsider artists, many of whom are deceased and never intended their work for public display. The article highlights several artists, including Morton Bartlett, Steve Ashby, Eugene von Bruenchenhein, and Henry Darger, whose works express unbridled sexuality and personal obsessions. The growing market for Outsider Art is noted, with the Outsider Art Fair and commercial galleries like the Gallery of Everything gaining prominence.

The article discusses the trend of individuals planning their own funerals, highlighting the work of Louise de Winter, a former fashion executive based in London. De Winter, known as the 'Mary Poppins of Death', encourages people to face their mortality and plan for a 'good death' by considering financial, emotional, and personal aspects of their funerals. The article features stories of individuals like Jenny Judge, who is planning her funeral with her autistic son in mind, and Nick Baddeley, a young artist who has already planned for his ashes to be part of a sculpture in France. Anna Lyons, an artist and end-of-life doula, shares her perspective on keeping death close to home and the importance of dying with reverence. The article also mentions that The Long + Short stories are published under a Creative Commons license, allowing for wide distribution and reuse.

The Arvon creative writing school at The Hurst, once the home of playwright John Osborne, is facing a potential disturbance from a proposed chicken broiling factory. The factory, planned by farmer Richard Jones, would be located 850m away from the retreat and could house up to 100,000 chickens. This development is concerning for the head of the writers' retreat due to the potential noise and smell that could disrupt the peace and tranquility of the area, which is also an area of outstanding natural beauty and referenced in AE Housman’s 'A Shropshire Lad'. Shropshire Council is set to make a decision on the planning permission for the poultry unit next month.

The article discusses the concept of 'outsider art' and the Gallery of Everything, a commercial enterprise in Marylebone, London, that showcases and sells the work of unconventional artists. The gallery is an offshoot of the Museum of Everything, and profits from sales are reinvested into the museum. Outsider art is characterized by creators who are often untrained and operate outside cultural norms, with roots in what was once called 'art of the insane'. The article highlights the work of artists like Howard Finster and Chomo, and mentions Jarvis Cocker's involvement with outsider art, including his documentary series 'Journeys Into the Outside'. The Gallery of Everything's current exhibition features artists from Cocker's series and will later include a showcase of snowflake photography by Wilson Bentley.

Matilda Battersby explores the cultural significance and consumption practices of soju, a popular Korean spirit. Soju, often compared to vodka, is traditionally served neat and has a variety of flavors, with fruity ones being particularly favored. Battersby describes the strict etiquette surrounding soju drinking, such as not serving oneself and receiving drinks with both hands from someone more senior. She notes that soju is ubiquitous in Korea, often consumed with food, and that 'Soju Bars' as known in the US don't exist in Korea. Instead, soju is available in restaurants and street food tents. Specific foods are paired with soju, and the article mentions the popularity of Jinro, a leading soju brand. The piece concludes with the author's personal experience of a soju-fueled night ending in karaoke and a significant hangover.

The article discusses the cultural reverence for children in Arab culture, particularly in Old Dubai. The author shares personal experiences of how their three-year-old son received warm interactions from various people, including service staff and law enforcement. The article suggests that Dubai's infrastructure has been developed with a focus on appealing to children and those who are young at heart, indicating that the city caters to family-friendly fun and activities.

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, a renowned children's author, discusses the challenges of getting children to read for pleasure in an age where electronic entertainment is prevalent. Despite her own success, with over 40 million books sold in the UK, she recognizes that schools and the current curriculum can make reading seem like a chore. To combat this, Wilson has partnered with easyJet to create 'flybraries' - collections of children's classics in airplane seat pockets to encourage reading during summer travels. She has selected timeless stories like 'Peter Pan' and 'Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland' for these 'flybraries'. Wilson also reflects on her own childhood reading experiences and the impact of books like 'Jane Eyre' and 'The Railway Children' on her life and writing career.

Galleries and museums in Britain are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 with exhibitions focused on LGBTQ histories and art. The National Portrait Gallery, British Museum, People’s History Museum, and Walker Art Gallery are among the institutions participating. Tate Britain's 'Queer British Art 1861-1967' is highlighted as the first major exhibition dedicated to queer British art, aiming to showcase and reevaluate artworks that express non-binary and non-heterosexual identities. The exhibition includes works from the period between the abolition of the death penalty for sodomy and the Sexual Offences Act, and features artists like David Hockney and Hannah Gluckstein. The curator, Clare Barlow, responds to criticism about categorizing art by artists' sexuality, emphasizing the exhibition's focus on art that provokes questions about identity, rather than on the artists' personal lives. The exhibition also includes works that challenge heterosexual norms by non-LGBTQ artists.

The article discusses the shift in educational environments from traditional classrooms to outdoor learning spaces in the UK. It highlights the trend of outdoor classrooms in schools, such as treehouses, tipis, and eco-pods, and the benefits of children learning in natural settings. The piece references a survey by Learning Through Landscapes, noting a decrease in children playing in natural environments. Elizabeth Jarman, an education consultant, criticizes the underutilization of outdoor spaces in schools and advocates for more intelligent use. The article also features insights from forest school teacher Iona Dowling and Richard Dawson, who runs Classroom in the Woods. It suggests that outdoor learning can lead to better engagement, stress reduction, and a variety of skills beyond academic achievement. The company Hideout House is mentioned as a builder of treehouses for schools, indicating a growing interest in such structures. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of involving parents to support outdoor learning initiatives.

The article discusses the historical role of women, particularly Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, as 'human computers' at Nasa during the mid-20th century. These African American women played a crucial part in the success of Nasa's space missions, including sending astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn into orbit. Despite their significant contributions, they faced sexism, racism, and segregation. Their stories have been brought to light through Margot Lee Shetterly's book 'Hidden Figures' and its subsequent film adaptation. The article also touches on the broader context of women's roles at Nasa and the agency's current diversity, with hopes that the film will inspire more African American women to pursue careers in science. Nasa's commitment to diversity is highlighted, emphasizing the need for the brightest minds regardless of background to achieve future goals like the Mars mission.

The article narrates the experiences of Matilda Battersby and her family, who have embarked on a gap year, traveling to various countries with their three-year-old son. They have left their London life behind to explore different cultures and spend quality time together before their son starts school. The author describes encountering various types of British families abroad, including off-gridders, Insta-families, hippie hipsters, jetset families, budget travelers, and voluntourists, each with their unique travel style and objectives. The article highlights the trend among Brits to take family gap years and the different ways they integrate travel, work, education, and social media into their journeys.

The article is a compilation of personal stories shared by various individuals recounting their romantic getaways that turned into disasters. From a fractured coccyx in Greece to a jellyfish sting in Sicily, each narrative details the unexpected and often humorous misfortunes that befell the travelers. The stories include incidents of theft, cultural misunderstandings, and natural adversities, painting a picture of vacations that strayed far from the idyllic intentions. The article serves as a light-hearted reminder of the unpredictability of travel and the resilience required to navigate the challenges it can present.

The article discusses the increasing issue of school refusal, also known as school-phobia, where children experience acute anxiety and terror at the thought of attending school. It highlights the devastating impact on families, often leading to one parent stopping work and financial difficulties. The government has pledged £1.4bn to improve mental health support for children and strengthen school-health service links. Personal stories from parents 'Carrie', 'Jane', and 'Melanie' (pseudonyms) illustrate the challenges faced, including dealing with the Child And Mental Health Services (Camhs), which is described as overstretched. The article also touches on the social stigma and the physical symptoms of anxiety that children may experience. Kate Olphert, a former teacher and life coach, provides insight into the issue, emphasizing that school refusal is about self-preservation and is rarely due to bullying.

The article discusses the decline of theatre broadcasts on British television and the subsequent rise of live theatre in cinemas, a concept pioneered by the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 2006. The National Theatre's NT Live, launched in 2009, successfully brought live theatre to cinemas worldwide, with productions like 'Phedre' starring Helen Mirren and 'Hamlet' starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The article highlights the technical and artistic efforts involved in adapting theatre for cinema audiences, as explained by camera director Tim van Someren. It also notes the positive impact of live broadcasts on local theatre attendance, contrary to fears that it would detract from it. The upcoming live broadcast of Harold Pinter's 'No Man's Land' starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen is mentioned as a highly anticipated event.

The article draws a satirical parallel between the 2016 US Presidential Election and the Harry Potter universe, comparing the candidates to characters from the series. It likens Donald Trump to Dolores Umbridge, highlighting their shared controversial opinions and policies, such as Trump's stance on immigration and Umbridge's disdain for 'half-breeds'. Hillary Clinton is compared to Severus Snape, focusing on her long-standing political career, the email server controversy, and her struggle to connect emotionally with voters. The piece also touches on the broader political landscape, comparing the Republican and Democratic parties to the Hogwarts houses of Slytherin and Gryffindor, respectively, and mentions the impact of the Tea Party and the Order of the Phoenix as analogous groups within each party. The article ends with a metaphorical reference to Dementors, symbolizing the despair felt by the electorate.