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Positive Outcomes

15 Dec
09:57

Delivering Change - The UK Public Sector in 2011

Submitted by Graham Kean, EC Harris, Head of Public

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has raised its estimate for economic growth this year to 1.8% and predicted growth of 2.1% for 2011. It also expects far fewer public sector jobs to be lost over the next four years than initially feared. These are all positive signs, but there is no doubt 2011 will be a challenging time for all public sector organisations as they try to deliver better public services more efficiently. Almost all now know what they need to do. A small... Read More

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Delivering Change - The UK Public Sector in 2011
2 Feb
16:17

The impact of the health reforms on NHS property

Submitted by Matthew Punshon, EC Harris, Head of Asset Performance & Facilities Management

We are starting to see the shape of the health service of the future – at least the Coalition view of it.  The Times (20th January, p8) has a fascinating description of what the structure might look like.  I was struck by the complexity of the change in the way property needs to be occupied……and probably owned.  In addition, the ‘Right to Require’ will add a new approach with existing teams setting up social enterprises to deliver services direct... Read More

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The impact of the health reforms on NHS property
18 Feb
09:51

Scottish Budget Bill 2011

Submitted by Graham Hill, EC Harris, Partner

The Scottish Budget Bill has been passed, with the minority Scottish Government securing majority support for its spending plans. Finance Secretary John Swinney has had to agree some significant concessions with opposition parties, but has proved the sceptics wrong, with his plans being pushed through Holyrood for a fourth consecutive time. At face value, spending seems to be being maintained at previous levels, with a proportion of the £1.3 billion reduction to the Scottish Budget... Read More

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Scottish Budget Bill 2011
3 Mar
10:34

Public Infrastructure needed for Arab world stability

Submitted by Andrew Jeffery, EC Harris, Location Leader, UAE

With reports of further unrest in the Arab world continuing to dominate the news agenda, it is easy to overlook one of the themes that is common and unifying to all of the protests; the dearth of public infrastructure including schools, hospitals, transportation and welfare facilities provision. If we look more closely across the wider GCC, it is clear that the region has definite room for improvement before it can claim to offer the public services that people in the developed and Western world... Read More

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Public Infrastructure needed for Arab world stability
23 Mar
20:12

A Budget for Growth?

Submitted by Graham Kean, EC Harris, Head of Public

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has delivered what David Cameron trailed as 'the most pro-growth Budget this country has seen for a generation.'  In reality Osborne had little room for manoeuvre and despite the sweeteners to incentivise business and industry, the Government’s tough plan for deficit reduction starts here... Public sector organisations have a significant challenge to deliver their well-publicised efficiency savings.  Now is the time to unlock value... Read More

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A Budget for Growth?
16 Dec
10:22

Efficiencies Favour the Brave - The Public Sector in 2012

Submitted by Graham Kean, EC Harris, Head of Public

2011 has been quite a year, with change being the only constant, but we have seen many public sector organisations embracing innovation and improving outcomes for communities with much, much less. This has been inspiring, but with more instability on the cards in 2012, it is vital this dynamism continues. They say fortune favours the brave but for the modern public sector organisation fortune equates to efficiencies. Those which effectively engage with the private sector, make bold decisions... Read More

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Efficiencies Favour the Brave - The Public Sector in 2012
22 Mar
00:56

Cut of foreign workers, impact on construction!

Submitted by Richard Warburton, EC Harris, Area Leader, South East Asia

I had a TV interview for Channel News Asia yesterday to talk about the cut of Foreign workers in the construction industry in Singapore and thought I'd share few highlights with you... Will there be an impact? There will be an impact as the construction industry accounts for 38% of all work permit holders (excluding domestic workers). Whilst acknowledging that transition arrangements are in place over next 2 years , we need to consider both the short... Read More

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Cut of foreign workers, impact on construction!
21 Mar
15:30

BUDGET 2012 - STEADY AS SHE GOES

Submitted by Graham Kean, EC Harris, Head of Public

The economic recovery hasn’t quite panned out as planned, but the Chancellor should be thankful for small mercies.  Considering the recent turmoil in the Eurozone, Osborne must have been delighted to deliver his Budget Bill safe in the knowledge that: The Government is on target to undershoot the £127bn borrowing forecast for 11/12 The OBR is predicting 0.8% growth this year and 2% in 2013 However, none of us at EC Harris believe that the growth forecast... Read More

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BUDGET 2012 - STEADY AS SHE GOES
12 Apr
19:04

Concessions ease Foreign Worker Restrictions in Singapore

Submitted by Richard Warburton, EC Harris, Area Leader, South East Asia

A restriction on the employment of new foreign workers, introduced in the 2012 Singapore Budget, was a challenge on the Construction industry that I highlighted in my latest blog. The potential impact of this restriction has however been reduced over the last few days with an announcement by the Singapore Government that the maximum period of employment for existing unskilled work permit holders will be increased from six years to ten years. Allowing the retention of skilled operatives in the... Read More

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Concessions ease Foreign Worker Restrictions in Singapore
15 May
07:08

Is China the country to grow older?

Submitted by Karen Prosser, EC Harris, Partner, Health sector

  I've seen an article in the Economist recently talking about the changing face of Chinese society.  The article correctly identified the rapidly growing elderly population as a potential barrier to the country’s future economic growth. However, by looking at this issue in purely financial terms I thought the author underplayed a more pressing concern – the inadequacy of the country’s current healthcare facilities... Read More

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Is China the country to grow older?