Mayor Boris Johnson has announced new Growth Commission to help realise Crossrail 2‘s full potential to boost economic growth in London and across the UK.

The Mayor has the support from more than 50 top business leaders who back the economic case for Crossrail 2 as vital to securing hundreds of thousands of new homes and jobs.

The construction of Crossrail 2 will support the UK engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors with a supply chain supporting around 60,000 full time jobs.

This is in addition to the 18,000 who will be employed directly during the peak of construction and over 1,300 new jobs that will be created to operate Crossrail 2.

The Commission will help maximise the benefit of the new railway by bringing together the London boroughs, county councils outside London and other key business and development stakeholders along the route to work together on how the railway can best support housing and job creation.

Tens of thousands of homes could be built ahead of opening in anticipation of the improved connectivity, helping to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, said: “Crossrail 2 will help realise London’s full economic potential, increasing the nation’s productivity and creating thousands of new jobs and homes.

“Major projects take time to plan and prepare and with Crossrail 1 nearing completion, we must move quickly to the next transformational growth project which could see even more benefits delivered. Crossrail 2 will support up to 200,000 more homes and jobs, adding billions of pounds to the national economy and ensuing a prosperous future for the whole country.”

Once operational, Crossrail 2 will allow more people to access jobs, supporting the creation of up to 200,000 new jobs, both locally and in London’s highly productive central area.

A PWC study published in 2014 showed that at least half the cost of Crossrail 2 can be met by London. By linking homes and jobs Crossrail 2 could deliver net additional GVA benefits – the value of goods and services produced – totalling up to £100 billion, generating tax revenues that are more than sufficient to fund central Government’s contribution.

Local councils are being urged to work with their Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to create new jobs and boost economic growth across the country.

Council will have the chance to seize the economic initiative by identifying businesses on their patch with investment or export potential.

This includes building on the commercial strengths of rural areas that will boost the building trades with ambitious plans for new Enterprise Zones.

Ministers want local business and civic leaders to encourage firms with shared interests to stand together and form a stronger commercial proposition.

These new zones, if supported by a strong business case, will enable places to drive growth and jobs creation.

The government is building on the success of the existing 24 Enterprise Zones which by last December had attracted 15,500 jobs around the country since they opened over the past 3 years and delivered a multibillion-pound boost to local economies.

Enterprise Zones bring with them a raft of benefits to businesses including lower taxes, access to superfast broadband and streamlined planning permission to boost local infrastructure.

Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse James Wharton said: “Enterprise Zones are creating thousands of jobs, attracting billions of pounds of investment.

“Britain is a great place to do business and this is a chance for local areas to build on their benefits. As part of our long-term economic plan it is only right we allow more to share our national success.

“With this new round of Enterprise Zones even more areas and businesses will be able to benefit from the support they bring.

“Only the very best bids will succeed but this is a chance for council leaders and businesses to make their case and secure a real boost to the local economy.”

Network Rail‘s ‘orange army’ has started work to prepare the railway line through Bath for the arrival of electrification and a new fleet of faster and greener electric trains.

The £50 million project forms part of Network Rail’s Great Western Electrification Programme to modernise and significantly improve the main railway line that runs from London Paddington to Swansea.

The work will involve lowering 10km of track through Dundas Aqueduct, Box Tunnel, Middle Hill Tunnel and Sydney Gardens, removing the need to make significant changes to the historic infrastructure in these areas.

This track lowering work will also involve installing 11 new sets of points over the duration of the project that is due to complete on 1 September.

Andy Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “The preparation work we are doing in Bath is essential to make the line ready for electrification and the benefits this will bring.

“The new electric trains are faster and will have more seats, more legroom and more tables. They are also greener and quieter, benefitting those who live close to the railway line.”

Rail minister, Claire Perry, said: “Improving the UK’s rail network is a vital part of our long-term economic plan. We are fully committed to electrification of the Great Western line as our top priority, and the work at Bath is another milestone in delivering this essential scheme.”

NuGen, the UK nuclear new-build developer, has announced that a land contract for Moorside has been signed with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

The signing follows successful completion of site suitability studies at Moorside by NuGen, which validate the site as being suitable for construction of three reactors.

NuGen will now take responsibility for the land following payment of an undisclosed sum to the NDA. The deal underpins the successful policy of selling NDA land to new nuclear developers – and creating value for the taxpayer.

The NuGen Board approved the land contract signing at a meeting in Tokyo. The company is now confident the site is suitable for construction of three AP1000^® reactors, as all criteria were satisfied.

NuGen Chief Executive, Tom Samson, signed the land deal with the NDA’s Chief Executive, John Clarke.

Mr. Samson was delighted at the “major milestone for NuGen’s Moorside project.”

“This is a key moment in our Moorside Project journey. Our board has reached a decision of significance which confirms Moorside is suitable, against criteria at this stage of the development. NuGen, our vendors and our expert partners are all confident we can build three reactors on the site.”

“This is great news for the North-West, and particularly for West Cumbria, the UK’s nuclear heartland. We are delighted to be taking forward Moorside, a massive development which will supply some 7 per cent of the UK’s future electricity.”

Site characterisation studies will continue at Moorside in the autumn and will feed in to detailed planning and site layout work.

John Clarke, the NDA’s CEO added: “The completion of this stage of the land sale brings a range of benefits both nationally and locally.

“It supports the initiative to have West Cumbria recognised as a centre of nuclear excellence, building on over six decades of nuclear expertise in the area, whilst delivering excellent value for money for the taxpayer and the national economy.”

Energy Minister, Andrea Leadsom, said: “Backing the next generation of nuclear projects is a key part of our long-term plan to power the economy with clean, secure energy and keep bills as low as possible for hardworking families and businesses.”

“We want the recovery to benefit all parts of our country, and Moorside will be a major infrastructure project that creates jobs and economic security for thousands of people and helps to deliver the Northern Powerhouse.”

Affordable housing developer Lovell has been selected by Cross Keys Homes to build a £9.1 million extra care housing development in Peterborough.

The scheme will create 54 much-needed high-quality, well-designed one- and two-bedroom apartments for over-55s on land to the north of Matley Primary School in the Orton Brimbles area of the city.

In line with Lovell and Cross Keys Homes’ commitment to investing in communities, the construction programme will create a number of jobs for local people as well as training opportunities.

Construction work is under way on the project, designed by PRP Architects, which is set for completion in January 2017.

As well as the individual apartments, the three-storey apartment building includes a communal lounge and restaurant, shared landscaped gardens and car parking. In addition, there will be a new vehicle and pedestrian access off Matley.

The development is set to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ status for environmental performance and will incorporate green technology including photovoltaic panels.

The scheme follows Lovell’s earlier completion of a major housing refurbishment project for Cross Keys Homes. Lovell regional director Simon Medler said: “We’re delighted to be working on our first new-build project for Cross Keys Homes.

“Our team brings a wealth of expertise in the delivery of new-build extra care accommodation and we are thrilled to be bringing our knowledge and skills to a project which will create smart, modern and well-equipped homes for older people in Peterborough at a location within easy reach of local facilities and services.”

Chief executive of Cross Keys Homes, Claire Higgins, said: “Lapwing Court is our second extra care scheme. The success of our first scheme shows there is a real need for independent living solutions that provide people with a personalised care service delivered by Cross Keys Care, that can be adapted as needs change.

“We are really looking forward to working with Lovell on this development which will benefit not only the residents, but the community as a whole.”

Affordable housing developer Lovell has been selected by Cross Keys Homes to build a £9.1 million extra care housing development in Peterborough.

The scheme will create 54 much-needed high-quality, well-designed one- and two-bedroom apartments for over-55s on land to the north of Matley Primary School in the Orton Brimbles area of the city.

In line with Lovell and Cross Keys Homes’ commitment to investing in communities, the construction programme will create a number of jobs for local people as well as training opportunities.

Construction work is under way on the project, designed by PRP Architects, which is set for completion in January 2017.

As well as the individual apartments, the three-storey apartment building includes a communal lounge and restaurant, shared landscaped gardens and car parking. In addition, there will be a new vehicle and pedestrian access off Matley.

The development is set to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ status for environmental performance and will incorporate green technology including photovoltaic panels.

The scheme follows Lovell’s earlier completion of a major housing refurbishment project for Cross Keys Homes. Lovell regional director Simon Medler said: “We’re delighted to be working on our first new-build project for Cross Keys Homes.

“Our team brings a wealth of expertise in the delivery of new-build extra care accommodation and we are thrilled to be bringing our knowledge and skills to a project which will create smart, modern and well-equipped homes for older people in Peterborough at a location within easy reach of local facilities and services.”

Chief executive of Cross Keys Homes, Claire Higgins, said: “Lapwing Court is our second extra care scheme. The success of our first scheme shows there is a real need for independent living solutions that provide people with a personalised care service delivered by Cross Keys Care, that can be adapted as needs change.

“We are really looking forward to working with Lovell on this development which will benefit not only the residents, but the community as a whole.”

The number of households in Scotland has continued to increase, helping economic growth and boosting the house building industry.

There were 2.42 million households in 2014, an increase of 0.8 per cent since 2013, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS) in ‘Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2014′.

Tim Ellis, the Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland, said: “The number of households in Scotland grows every year. The rate of growth was increasing in the lead up to the economic downturn, but since then, it has fallen.

“Between 2001 and 2007, there was an average increase of 20,200 households per year. Between 2008 and 2014, the average increase was lower, at 14,400 per year.

“In 2014, for the second year in a row, the annual increase in the number of households appears to have grown. However, this is not just down to increases in house-building. Instead, there has been an apparent drop in the number of second homes and empty properties.

“This appears to be mainly because some empty properties and second homes have been reclassified, following recent Council Tax changes on empty properties.”

Almost all council areas saw an increase in household numbers between 2013 and 2014. However Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire and Eilean Siar saw slight reductions.

The overall number of dwellings (including vacant properties and second homes) rose in all council areas in 2014 except West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde. Both of these areas had carried out demolitions as part of regeneration projects.

In Scotland as a whole, 2.9 per cent dwellings were vacant and 1.1 per were second homes, with the latter concentrated in more rural areas.

ISG has been awarded £80 million of commercial office fit out projects that will boost the construction trades and help economic growth.

A key project awarded in the period is a £24 million contract to create one of the largest and most highly specified new office developments in the Thames Valley region.

The scheme at Stockley Park, near Heathrow, involves the significant upgrade and extension of an existing property, with ISG delivering circa 137,000 sq ft of Grade A BREEAM Excellent office accommodation.

ISG has also been appointed by Zurich Insurance to create a new London base for Switzerland’s largest insurer. The 70,000 sq ft scheme involves the fit out of six floors of the striking 70 Mark Lane development in the heart of London’s insurance district.

Additionally, ISG has maintained its number one ranking in the influential Metropolis Property Research report on the central London fit out market. The ‘Living in a Pre-Let World’ report identified ISG as London’s lead contractor with 3.8m sq ft of fit out projects awarded between 2010 and 2014.

David Lawther, ISG Chief Executive, said: “Maintaining our lead position as London’s number one office fit out contractor highlights the strength of our customer relationships and unrivalled sector expertise.

“Demand for high-quality office space continues to grow both within, and increasingly outside of central London, and our Stockley Park win reinforces our strategic decision to invest in a regional office base in the Thames Valley.”

Small business across the north of England could benefit from funds of over £400 million thanks to a new wave of European funding, Chancellor George Osborne has announced.

Just days after delivering his Summer Budget, where he set out the next steps in building the Northern Powerhouse, Mr Osborne visited a number of local businesses to discuss how the government is delivering for the whole of the north.

While there, he announced that government is working with Local Enterprise Partnerships and local authorities to secure fresh funding for small businesses in the north from EU Regional Funds, which would be made available for northern SMEs later this year.

The new funding would come on top of £382.5 million already being invested in the region through an existing similar scheme.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “Small business are the lifeblood of the Northern Powerhouse and this funding has the potential to make an enormous difference to hundreds of SMEs right across the north.

“From supporting thousands of northern companies through increasing the Annual Investment Allowance and giving businesses an extra £1,000 with an increase in the Employment Allowance, my Budget last week backed businesses across the north and this funding has the potential to do even more.”

The plans would form the next round of JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises) funding for the Northern Powerhouse.

The funding provides equity and loan finance to start-ups, growing early stage companies and larger companies with ambitions for strong growth.

There are three existing JEREMIE projects covering the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

Willmott Dixon to design and build new £25 million Eastern High school with Cardiff and Vale College after being chosen by the City of Cardiff Council for the new Eastern High school.

It comes as Willmott Dixon hands over the keys to a new campus for Cardiff and Vale College in the centre of Cardiff that is larger than the size of two pitches at the nearby Millennium Stadium.

Cllr Sarah Merry, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This represents a £25m council investment in the future of children growing up in the east of the city, and using Willmott Dixon to design and build the new facilities will ensure the best possible education for pupils and students in East Cardiff and the best value for money for the taxpayer.”

Willmott Dixon has an office on Cathedral Road in Cardiff and its managing director for Wales, Neal Stephens, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this excellent new school for the city and given that so many of our staff live here, it will be something their children will benefit from too.

“Community will be a big focus for us and we will try whenever possible to use local labour and companies to build Eastern High.”

The new school is being jointly funded by the City of Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, as part of the 21st Century Schools programme.

Cardiff and Vale College Principal and Chief Executive Mike James said: “Cardiff and Vale College are delighted to be working with the City of Cardiff Council on this exciting project and to see it moving forward at such pace.

“This development will create a fantastic facility that the whole community of East Cardiff will benefit from. It will provide us with the opportunity to inspire and excite young people to learn, achieve and progress in a brand new building with a wider choice of learning opportunities than ever before.”