Latest letters
Housing secretaries need to have a longer shelf life
It was depressing to read in Peter Bill’s column that the new housing secretary Simon Clarke “is seen as a coming man”.
Energy crisis: we need to get creative
I wholeheartedly agree with the argument put forward by Adam Branson in his article ‘Energy crisis puts pressure on both occupiers and landlords’. Despite the government recently announcing a six-month cap on energy prices, the real estate industry will need to take a creative, technology-enabled approach to alleviate damage.
Energy strategy overhaul under way
We welcomed the recent news of the government’s measures to alleviate the immediate cost of energy on people and businesses. Inflated gas prices driving up costs across the country while the largest energy producers deliver super-profits is outrageous and nonsensical.
Levelling up must be more than just a political slogan
Despite the phrase ‘levelling up’ hanging in the balance, the UK government’s proposal that more needs to be done to “spread opportunity more equally across the UK” is an understatement.
Quality offices key as we go forward
I read with interest the news that JLL’s Future of Work Survey showed that 72% of commercial real estate decision-makers believe the office is critical to doing business. Some may find this figure surprising – I find it surprising the number was not higher.
Industry must embrace BMS tech amid climate crisis
I echo the concern expressed by Jamie Bennett-Ness in his recent article ‘Buildings fail to handle the heat’ over the failure of UK buildings to cope with the recent slew of heatwaves. However, the real estate industry should not resign itself to outdated air-conditioning systems but should instead embrace building ...
Worker welfare is key in hybrid world
Editor: In response to your article on JLL’s Future of Work survey, which reveals that hybrid working is critical to real estate’s future, I wanted to share some insights into the accompanying rapid changes in people management.
Government must address plight of private renters
Editor: It was disappointing to see so little substance from the Conservative leadership hopefuls on a group being hardest hit by cost of living pressures: renters.
It’s time we rethink our working environments
The landscape of workspace design has rarely undergone such a rapid, seismic shift as it has in the past couple of years. The workplace is no longer simply a place to work. It has shifted to an infrastructure for building social capital and fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. ...
Adapt forgotten buildings into homes
Editor: In the face of increasing pressure to build housing, many towns and cities are considering demolishing historic buildings. There is a scarcity of ‘obvious’ construction sites left, so many are now looking to brownfield or even green-belt sites.
Hygiene gripes can put workers off office return
Editor: Remit Consulting’s Return Report points to a positive trend of workers returning to the office; and since it was released, the hybrid forms of work it identifies have accelerated, with the level of employees working exclusively from home falling in the last two months from 22% to 14%.
How the built environment can support young people
Editor: The built environment has a real opportunity to support the underfunded education sector and provide the learning environments required to properly educate the youth of today.
