Whilst the recent falls in oil prices may appear to be a welcome relief in difficult economic times, they may ultimately prove to do more damage than good. As falling oil prices today cause oil companies to invest less in new production to meet future demand, prices will increase once more.
A plan to create more than 10,000 jobs in the UK construction industry by insulating homes in the private and public sectors will be announced by Alistair Darling in today's pre-budget report, The Guardian reports.
The UK government will apparently bring forward future capital spending
Over-priced oil could have negative impact on environment
The Guardian's environment editor, John Vidal, poses an interesting question: are rising oil costs really good for the environment?
Vidal's piece comes as some environmentalists have trumpeted the idea that
Teacher training centre wins recognition
Build.ie is reporting that the Orchard, a new building at Stranmillis University College in south Belfast has won two awards.
The building, at Stranmillis University, lifted a Wood NI Award, as well as gaining a commendation in
State asked to pick up the pieces as PPP schemes flounder
Desperate builders develop social conscience?
Housebuilder McInerney Holdings has warned it is facing difficult conditions in both its Irish and UK markets and that, as a result, it is delaying new site starts and focusing on its affordable
Ireland not alone in collapsing property market
The Times reports that house prices in Britain are likely to fall by seven per cent in the next year alongside a 40 per cent fall in sales.
Interestingly, Britain is currently suffering from an acute housing shortage with
Mintel survey says 'times is tough'
The Irish Times reports that 67 per cent of Irish consumers are now more mindful of rising living costs.
The Mintel Ireland survey, Irish
Life on the most northerly inhabited island in Britain can be very tough indeed. On Unst the winters are harsh, and the winds brutal and relentless, regularly sweeping across the treeless landscape at more than 100mph. But Unst is the island chosen by a retired couple from Wiltshire to build one of the world's greenest houses - a "zero carbon" home powered entirely by the wind and the sun. It sits on the same latitude as southern Greenland, but will soon boast lemon trees, grapevines and green pepper plants in its greenhouse, an electric car powered by the wind, and floors heated by drawing warmth from the air.
Now over US$127 per barrel
As if we weren't bored hearing about oil prices, BBC News Online is reporting that the commodity is now over US$127 a barrel, an all-time high.
Oil prices have hit a record high above $127 a barrel on speculation that China will
Half of Ireland's construction companies have stopped building houses while they attempt to offload existing properties.
A report published today by Merrion Capital said that the current housing oversupply will take more than twelve months to clear up.
"The overall conclusion
Housing slump hurts construction kingpin
The Cavan-based Kingspan Group will see lowered earnings as a result of the construction slowdown.
The group, which includes Kingspan Century, Ireland's largest timber-frame building manufacturer issued a statement saying trading over the first four months of the
At US$125
The Irish Times reports that oil prices have stabilised at around US$125 this week while there has been a larger than expected inventory of stocks.
Meanwhile, today's Seattle Times is reporting
But not in the fast lane
Construction down but finances up in Ireland of the future.
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has announced that the Irish economy could grow by 3.75 per cent annually over the next decade.
A report from the government-founded think tank says that, despite significant short-term problems, the economy