Mar 26
The Government’s plans to reduce subsidies on solar panels has been thwarted following a defeat in court on Friday to appeal.
In November the government announced they were planning a reduction in feed in tariffs from 43.3p per kw to 21p per kw, and that they were bringing the date forward from April 2012 to 12 December 2011. This was only eleven days before the consultation period ended on 23 December. In January the High Court said this ruling was unlawful but the Government announced they would appeal against this.
The new ruling means that anyone having domestic solar installations fitted and finished before 31 March 2012 will still receive the higher 43.3p rate and anyone having them done after April 1st 2012 will now receive the 21p rate.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Edward Davey said “We are disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court not to grant permission to hear this case. But the Court’s decision draws a line under the case. We will now focus all our efforts on ensuring the future stability and cost effectiveness of solar and other microgeneration technologies for the many, not the few.”
Mar 23
The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show opens next Thursday, so DIY Doctor HQ is starting to get packed up to hit the road to Birmingham next week.
There is still time to get online and register for two free tickets to the show which is being held at the NEC in Birmingham. All you have to do is click here or on the banner below to register – and it saves you up to £30!!!
The show is open from Thursday 29th March to Sunday 1st April and there will be so much to see and do you need to take a look at their website so you can plan your day, although obviously the most important thing is to visit us at the Tricks of the Trade stage!
We will be there for the four days giving demonstrations on ‘How to Tile a Bathroom’, ‘How to Skim Plaster a Wall’, and a definate must is finding out ‘How to Avoid Cowboy Builders’. For the timetable of these click through to their website.
We will also be selling our ‘Master Basic DIY’ book at the show, but if you can’t make it to Birmingham don’t forget you can still get a copy via the website by clicking here.
Mar 22
A retired fireman has had his arm sewn back on after accidently cutting off whilst using a circular saw to cut some wood in his remote garden.
The horrific accident saw Stuart Frain from Rochdale cut his arm off below the elbow and then carry it for half a mile to get help. The fifty year old managed to make a tourniquet from a stick and a dog lead after finding some passersby and giving them instruction how to help.
They called an ambulance and Mr Frain was taken to hospital where surgeons set about trying to stich his arm back on during seven hours of surgery. It is not know if he will regain full use of his arm but he does have some movement in his fingers already.
A very brave man and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.
Mar 21
A man in America has learnt the hard way why some jobs should just not be tackled yourself and it really is best to get in the professionals – particularly when felling trees!
This guy managed to destroy his own house as he chopped the tree and it fell right on top of it……….
Mar 20
An article in the Warsaw Business Journal has reported a large increase in the number of DIY retail stores opening in Poland with further expected growth in 2012.
In 2011, new DIY stores opening reached a total of 415 which far exceeded the 272 in 2010. Market research company PMR estimates a further 485 will open this year.
Of the expected 485 new stores, at least 50 are likely to be DIY chain stores as the market expands in this thriving market. DIY chain stores alone have grown massively in Poland over the last ten years or more, with an average of 27 chain stores specialising in DIY opening every year between 2000 and 2010, and 65 opening last year.
Poland is now a major market for DIY as many people are taking up an interest in home improvement and gardening. There has also been massive growth in other central european countries such as Romania and Bulgaria, with Romania seeing an increase in DIY retailers of 43% since 2008.
