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     <title>17/05/2013 - HSE CONSULT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO APPROVED CODE OF PRACTICE L56</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=461</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. has once again called on its members and installers to take part in the Health and Safety Executive&#8217;s consultation on the revised content of the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L56 &#8211; safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances.]]></description>
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     <title>10/05/2013 - CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS &#8211; INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=459</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Insolvencies in the industry are at an all-time high. This is due to a number of factors including the difficult trading conditions and the downturn in the construction industry which has led to many supply chains collapsing.]]></description>
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     <title>10/05/2013 - APHC LTD. ENCOURAGES SMES TO CONSIDER THE REGIONAL GROWTH FUND FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=460</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. is encouraging all small and medium enterprises (SME&#8217;s) to consider applying to the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to help them invest and strengthen their businesses.]]></description>
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     <title>03/05/2013 - SUCCESSFUL EVENT FOR APHC LTD. &amp; SUPPLIER PARTNERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=458</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. and its supplier partners are delighted after their first joint seminar event proved to be a hit with installers and engineers.]]></description>
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     <title>26/04/2013 - SPECFLUE TO HOST APHC LTD. GREEN DEAL SEMINAR</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=457</link>
     <description><![CDATA[On 5th June the Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors Ltd. is to hold one of its popular Green Deal seminars at the Specflue Renewables Training Centre in Suffolk&#44; covering the Green Deal&#44; Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and changes to Competent Person Schemes (CPS) from the installer perspective.]]></description>
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     <title>19/04/2013 - APHC LTD. SEMINARS TO FOCUS ON IMPORTANT BUSINESS CHANGES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=456</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors Limited. is offering installers a chance to learn more about the procedures and processes involved when introducing business Quality Management System (QMS) at its &#8216;Future Proof Your Business&#8217; seminar event in May.]]></description>
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     <title>05/04/2013 - APHC LTD. LAUNCH WET ROOM TRAINING COURSE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=455</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. in conjunction with supplier partner AKW&#44; have launched their new Wet Room Design and Installation in Domestic Premises training course.]]></description>
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     <title>28/03/2013 - APHC LTD. TO OFFER RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS COURSE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=453</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. announced it will begin to offer the BPEC Renewable Technology Awareness Course at its Solihull office from April 2013.]]></description>
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     <title>20/03/2013 - APHC LTD. FORMS SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIP WITH SPECFLUE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=452</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. has joined forces with Specflue&#44; a leading supplier of flue&#44; chimney and renewable energy solutions to provide enhanced business benefits to plumbing and heating contractors&#44; whilst promoting quality and best practice within the industry.]]></description>
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     <title>15/03/2013 - APHC Ltd. LAUNCH DOMESTIC HEATING &amp; HOT WATER TRAINING COURSE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=451</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. has launched a new domestic heating and hot water design course after receiving increased demand from members and installers.]]></description>
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     <title>13/03/2013 - MAJOR MANUFACTURERS SUPPORT APHC LTD. SEMINAR EVENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=449</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Ten major industry manufacturers including Worcester Bosch&#44; Plumb Center  Parts Center&#44; Baxi&#44; Bristan&#44; Vokera&#44; Valor&#44; Robinson and Wiley&#44; Plumbing Pensions&#44; Hyco Manufacturing&#44; Wavin Plastics&#44; Testo and Polypipe have pledged their support for the APHC Ltd free seminar event.]]></description>
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     <title>13/03/2013 - APHC MEMBER WINS ECO AWARD</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=450</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Norwich based Norfolk Solar is fast becoming one of the most recognised environmentally friendly small businesses&#44; scooping more accolades in the Norwich Eco Awards on 1st March.]]></description>
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     <title>01/03/2013 - NEW CITY &amp; GUILDS INTELLIGENT BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEMS COURSES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=448</link>
     <description><![CDATA[City &amp; Guilds&#44; City College Plymouth and world leading engineering firm ABB have come together to introduce a series of short courses for plumbers and electricians.]]></description>
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     <title>28/02/2013 - UK COURT ACTION OVER REDUCED VAT ON ESM</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=447</link>
     <description><![CDATA[After much confusion within the industry over the appropriate application of VAT on energy saving materials (ESM)&#44; it was announced on 21st February that The European Commission has decided to refer the United Kingdom to the EU Court of Justice over its reduction of VAT on the supply and installation of energy saving materials.]]></description>
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     <title>26/02/2013 - BIS ACCESS TO FINANCE SCHEMES GUIDANCE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=446</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. has welcomed the release of the Department for Business&#44; Innovation and Skills (BIS) guidance document on measures to support small and medium sized enterprise growth.]]></description>
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     <title>22/02/2013 - APHC LTD. CREATES NEW TRAINING PROVDER MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=445</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors Ltd. has created a new training provider membership category in response to growing demand from training centres and colleges.]]></description>
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     <title>08/02/2013 - GALLAGHER HEATH SECURES NEW FIVE-YEAR INSURANCE AGREEMENT WITH APHC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=444</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Gallagher Heath has announced a new five-year agreement with the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors to manage all commercial insurance facilities for new and existing APHC members.]]></description>
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     <title>06/02/2013 - APHC LTD. &amp; SUPPLIER PARTNERS PRESENT: &#8216;FUTURE PROOF YOUR BUSINESS&#8217;</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=443</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd. and its supplier partners are hosting a seminar afternoon&#44; aiming to shed some light on important changes that will affect plumbing and heating businesses in the coming year.]]></description>
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     <title>30/01/2013 - APHC LTD. INCREASE TRAINING PORTFOLIO FOR 2013</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=442</link>
     <description><![CDATA[After experiencing increased demand for training courses during 2012 APHC Ltd. has increased its training portfolio for 2013.]]></description>
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     <title>23/01/2013 - HSE LAUNCH CONSULTATION PROPOSALS ON LOCAL AUTHORITY ENFORCEMENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=441</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In December 2012 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a consultation on its proposals to introduce a Local Authority Enforcement Code.]]></description>
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     <title>17/01/2013 - Ecobuild launches VIP Hosted Buyers Club</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=440</link>
     <description><![CDATA[<BR>Connecting senior-level UK and international buyers from across the sustainable built environment with industry leading suppliers&#44; Ecobuild (www.ecobuild.co.uk 5th &#8211; 7th March 2013&#44; ExCeL&#44; London) &#8211; the world&#8217;s largest event for sustainable design&#44; construction and the built environment&#44; has launched the Ecobuild VIP Hosted Buyers Club. <BR>]]></description>
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     <title>16/01/2013 - APHC (CERTIFICATION) LTD. GREEN DEAL INSTALLER SCHEME IS NOW LIVE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=439</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Certification Ltd. is now offering the Green Deal Scheme to all approved installers alongside its comprehensive Competent Persons Scheme.]]></description>
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     <title>11/01/2013 - GREEN DEAL SEMINARS EXTENDED FOR 2013</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=438</link>
     <description><![CDATA[During December 2012 the Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors Ltd. held a series of Green Deal seminars covering the Green Deal&#44; Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and changes to Competent Person Schemes (CPS) from the installer perspective.]]></description>
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     <title>09/01/2013 - NEW AND IMPROVED APHC TRAINING GRANT FOR 2013</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=437</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors&#8217; sister company APHC Training Ltd&#44; is offering a new and improved training grant scheme for 2013&#44; open to all bona fide plumbing and heating companies.]]></description>
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     <title>20/12/2012 - APHC WELCOME CONSEQUENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=436</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has welcomed the recent Government announcement that proposals to introduce consequential improvement requirements to Building Regulations have been dropped.]]></description>
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     <title>14/12/2012 - IMPORTANT CHANGES TO COMPETENT PERSON SCHEMES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=435</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Now that the Green Deal soft launch is underway the industry is dominated by articles and advice pieces telling business owners what qualifications and business changes they face before taking part.]]></description>
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     <title>07/12/2012 - APHC DIRECT INSTALLERS TO IMPORTANT LEGIONELLA INFORMATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=434</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In the wake of the Legionella outbreaks earlier this year&#44; the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released important information for users and suppliers of water treatment systems.]]></description>
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     <title>05/12/2012 - Ecobuild Broadens its International Offering</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=433</link>
     <description><![CDATA[UBM Built Environment&#44; organisers of Ecobuild 2013 (5th &#8211; 7th March 2013&#44; ExCeL London) will bring together a wealth of of top sustainability experts to debate and share their unique perspectives on the global sustainability agenda with the launch of its Sustainability Overseas conference programme.]]></description>
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     <title>03/12/2012 - CITY &amp; GUILDS GEAR UP FOR THE GREEN DEAL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=432</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The City &amp; Guilds Level 3 Awards in Installation and Maintenance of Environmental Technologies are being hailed as &#8216;the qualification of choice&#8217; for those who want to take part in the Green Deal and Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) schemes.]]></description>
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     <title>23/11/2012 - APHC WELCOME EU CONSULTATION ON REMOVING RED TAPE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=424</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The European Commission is calling upon Small and Medium businesses to help identify the top ten EU Legislative acts considered to be the most burdensome from them in a new consultation launched earlier this week.]]></description>
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     <title>19/11/2012 - APHC TO HOLD FREE GREEN DEAL SEMINARS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=415</link>
     <description><![CDATA[During December APHC are hosting three half day seminars covering all things Green Deal&#44; Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and changes to Competent Person Schemes(CPS) from the installer perspective.]]></description>
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     <title>15/11/2012 - Employers needed to &#8216;test drive talent&#8217;</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=416</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Could you offer a work placement to an enthusiastic student with a desire to learn? <BR><BR>Under SummitSkills&#8217; new &#8216;Test Drive Talent&#8217; initiative&#44; businesses across England are being sought to provide work experience to gifted students who are currently on full time college courses studying for qualifications in the building services engineering sector (electrotechnical&#44; heating and ventilating&#44; air conditioning and refrigeration or plumbing industries). <BR>]]></description>
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     <title>07/11/2012 - ECOBUILD ANNOUNCES EXPERT SPEAKER LINE-UP FOR 2013 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=417</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Ecobuild  has announced the line-up for its highly acclaimed conference programme returning to London&#8217;s ExCeL from 5th to 7th March 2013.]]></description>
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     <title>04/11/2012 - APHC LAUNCHES NEW RECOMMEND A MEMBER SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=418</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC are pleased to announce the launch of its new loyalty scheme &#8211; Recommend a Member. The new scheme is now open to all existing members and APHC are offering &#163;62 off the cost of membership for anyone who recommends a plumbing &amp; heating contractor who subsequently joins APHC.]]></description>
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     <title>29/10/2012 - NEW FOR MEMBERS - COMPETITIVE&#44; STRAIGHTFORWARD VEHICLE &amp; EQUIPMENT LOANS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=419</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC are pleased to announce a new affinity partnership with bira finance&#44; offering APHC members low rate vehicle loans and competitive equipment loans. bira finance is the only Trade Association owned bank in the UK and understands the needs of professional business owners. Members will be treated as an individual and be offered flexible solutions with a straightforward service.]]></description>
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     <title>26/10/2012 - APHC RECEIVE EXCELLENT SUPPORT FOR GAS SURVEY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=420</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC&#8217;s Gas Competency survey which has been ongoing for the last four weeks has now closed.]]></description>
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     <title>25/10/2012 - APHC CALLS FOR GREATER CONSUMER PROMOTION OF GREEN DEAL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=421</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Last week the Department of Energy and Climate Change announced that householders who become the first to take part in the Green Deal Scheme could be entitled to up to &#163;1000 cash back.]]></description>
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     <title>17/10/2012 - NEW EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR SMALL &amp; MEDIUM COMPANIES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=422</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Last week the Chancellor&#44; George Osborne&#44; MP&#44; announced plans for a new kind of employment contract called an employee &#8211; owner.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>04/10/2012 - PHCA CALLS FOR HSE TO MOVE ON GAS ENFORCEMENT REVIEW FINDINGS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=414</link>
     <description><![CDATA[PHCA&#44; the overarching body for plumbing and heating businesses throughout the United Kingdom&#44; (an alliance between the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers&#180; Federation (SNIPEF) has written an open letter to the HSE calling for it to take action on the findings outlined in its 2010 Enforcement Review document.]]></description>
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     <title>01/10/2012 - APHC SETS A DEADLINE TO COMPLETE ITS GAS COMPETENCY SURVEY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=413</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has urged all industry employers to complete their Gas Competency Review survey if they have not yet done so in the next two weeks.]]></description>
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     <title>27/09/2012 - APHC WELCOME NEW GOVERNMENT BUSINESS BANK</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=412</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Earlier this week&#44; Business Secretary Vince Cable announced up to &#163;10 billion of new and additional business lending to help small and medium sized businesses.]]></description>
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     <title>24/09/2012 - APHC WELCOMES DISCOUNTED VEHICLE TRACKING BENEFIT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=411</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC have forged a partnership with Vine Telematics to offer APHC members an exclusive discount of 23% on the hosting cost for an 18 month purchase contract per vehicle. Members also benefit from free software training and free installation of each tracking unit.]]></description>
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     <title>21/09/2012 - GOVERNMENT LAUNCH CONSULTATION ON THE DOMESTIC RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=410</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Government have  launched a consultation around proposals for a subsidy scheme for the domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI).]]></description>
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     <title>19/09/2012 - HSE LAUNCH SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH AND SAFETY TOOLBOX</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=409</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Health and Safety Executive have created a website aimed at those running small to medium businesses with the intention of providing them will all the health and safety information they need in one place.]]></description>
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     <title>07/09/2012 - GET INVOLVED WITH GAS SAFETY WEEK 2012</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=408</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The second National Gas Safety Week&#44; coordinated by Gas Safe Register&#44; takes place next week&#44; and is a tremendous opportunity for APHC members&#44; and all other parts of the industry&#44; to get behind a nationwide campaign and push vital gas safety messages to consumers.]]></description>
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     <title>05/09/2012 - APHC ENCOURAGE INSTALLERS TO CONSIDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=407</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC are encouraging installers who want to learn more about environmental technologies ahead of the Green Deal&#44; to consider the City &amp; Guilds 2399 Environmental Technology qualifications.]]></description>
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     <title>31/08/2012 - APHC ENGAGES WITH EMPLOYERS ON GAS COMPETENCY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=406</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is pleased to report that preliminary results from its gas competency survey has produced some surprising feedback and appears to be providing the encouragement employers needed to become engaged in the topic.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>24/08/2012 - BIS CONSULTATION ON CONSUMER RIGHTS DIRECTIVE &#8211; BUSINESS NEED TO HAVE THEIR SAY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=405</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is calling all plumbing and heating contractors to have their say on the implementation of the EU Consumer Rights Directive (CRD) as some of the changes could impact small businesses within the industry.]]></description>
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     <title>23/08/2012 - APHC DISAPOINTED WITH WITHDRAWL OF 5% VAT RATE FOR BUILDINGS WITH CHARITABLE PURPOSE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=404</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC have learned that the Government is to likely to withdraw the 5% VAT rate for Energy Saving materials (ESM) such as solar thermal panels&#44; biomass boilers and heating controls&#44; installed in buildings used for a relevant charitable purpose in August 2013.]]></description>
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     <title>20/08/2012 - APHC LAUNCH QUALITY BRANDED WORKWEAR BENEFIT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=403</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC have teamed up with ThinRedLine Products to create APHC Workwear&#44; a branded workwear website exclusively for APHC members&#44; supplying great value garments that arrive embroidered with your logo or company name and carrying the APHC identity too.]]></description>
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     <title>17/08/2012 - APHC ENCOURAGES EMPLOYERS TO TAKE PART IN GAS COMPETENCY REVIEW</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=402</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has created a short survey covering a number of points put forward in the findings of the Gas Safe Register (GSR) report&#44; with the aim of encouraging more industry employers to help shape the future of gas training and assessment.]]></description>
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     <title>16/08/2012 - REGISTER FOR THE GREEN DEAL WITH APHC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=401</link>
     <description><![CDATA[After receiving UKAS Accreditation only a few weeks ago&#44; APHC Certification Ltd is now accepting installers who want to register for the Green Deal Scheme.]]></description>
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     <title>09/08/2012 - APHC SUPPORT GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO TACKLE LATE PAYMENT FOR SMEs</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=400</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is backing the latest attempts by the Government to tackle problems smaller businesses are facing in relation to late payment.]]></description>
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     <title>08/08/2012 - APHC BACKS CABINET OFFICE MYSTERY SHOPPER SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=399</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has called on contractors and installers to use the Cabinet Office Mystery Shopper scheme if they come across any issues while involved in tendering for any local authority contracts.]]></description>
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     <title>03/08/2012 - CHANGES TO RIDDOR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS &#8211; APHC URGES INSTALLERS TO GET INVOLVED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=398</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has opened a twelve week consultation on proposals to simplify and clarify how businesses comply with requirements under RIDDOR.]]></description>
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     <title>02/08/2012 - APHC URGES GOVERNMENT SOLAR TASK FORCE TO TAKE CAUTIOUS APPROACH</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=397</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In a recent DECC blog&#44; MP Gregory Baker outlined plans to bring down the costs of solar installations for consumers. In the blog post he noted the cost of solar panels and inverters has come down significantly and he has set up a &#8216;cost reduction task force&#8217; with the industry to help reduce installation costs.]]></description>
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     <title>25/07/2012 - APHC WELCOME NEW TREASURY SCHEME TO BOOST BUSINESS LOANS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=396</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC  has welcomed the recent announcement by the Treasury and Bank of England of its new funding for lending scheme (FLS). The scheme&#44; designed to boost lending to the real economy&#44; offers banks and building societies an opportunity to borrow more under the FLS at a lower cost.]]></description>
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     <title>23/07/2012 - APHC MEMBERS CAN SAVE UP TO 60% OFF TOOL HIRE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=394</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC members can now save up to 60% off tool hire prices under a new benefit partnership formed with Hire Station.]]></description>
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     <title>20/07/2012 - HSE TO CONSULT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO APPROVED CODES OF PRACTICE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=393</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has called on its members and installers to take part in the Health and Safety Executive&#8217;s consultation on proposals to change or amend some of its Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP).<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>18/07/2012 - APHC (CERTIFICATION) LTD. ACHIEVES UKAS ACCREDITATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=392</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors (Certification) Ltd. has achieved accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as a Competent Persons Scheme Operator and as an installer certifying body for a range of measures under the Government&#8217;s new flagship Green Deal programme.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>16/07/2012 - HSE ISSUES GUIDANCE ON ITS COST RECOVERY SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=391</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Health and Safety Executive has issued guidance ahead of the start of its cost recovery&#44; Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme which starts on 1st October 2012 (subject to Parliamentary approval).<BR><BR>The scheme has been developed in consultation with industry representatives and aims to bring some of the costs of investigation and enforcement action to those businesses and organisations who break the Health and Safety laws.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>13/07/2012 - APHC SUPPORT GOVERNMENT AGAINST EU ON VAT ON ENERGY SAVING MATERIALS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=390</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has pledged its support to the Government as the EU Commission demands a change to the UK law on VAT on Energy Saving Materials (ESM).]]></description>
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     <title>09/07/2012 - MCS CONSULTATION ON COMPETENCE CRITERIA</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=389</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The recently formed Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) working group have formulated guidance consultation documents to help provide clarity for installation companies within the MCS&#44; in terms of the competency requirements of the company required to join the scheme and maintaining ongoing compliance as MCS approved installation companies.]]></description>
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     <title>27/06/2012 - SNIPEF CEO CALLS ON INDUSTRY FOR COLLECTIVE APPROACH</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=388</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Speaking at the APHC President&#8217;s Dinner&#44; SNIPEF Chief Executive Robert Burgon called upon the industry to adopt a collective approach to the many challenges currently facing plumbing and heating businesses.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>22/06/2012 - NEW APHC PRESIDENT PLEDGES SUPPORT TO SINGLE COMPETENCE SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=387</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Ian Pattle has been appointed as the new National President for APHC. He used his inaugural speech at the Presidents&#8217; Dinner at Luton Hoo on Saturday 16th June&#44; to call on the industry to come together in support of a single competency scheme and embrace the benefits that a coordinated industry led scheme would bring to all.]]></description>
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     <title>20/06/2012 - APHC URGES INSTALLATION BUSINESSES TO CAREFULLY PLAN &amp; PRIORITISE GREEN DEAL TRAINING</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=386</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC advises plumbing and heating installation businesses who are considering joining the Green Deal Scheme to research the full training requirements of participation. Companies are encouraged to plan and prioritise their approval as an installer&#44; an assessor&#44; or both accordingly.]]></description>
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     <title>15/06/2012 - APHC CAUTIOUSLY WELCOME GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO GREEN DEAL CONSULTATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=385</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has cautiously welcomed the recently published government response to the Green Deal consultation and the next steps announcement made on Monday.]]></description>
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     <title>07/06/2012 - TRAINING GRANTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR 2012</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=384</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors&#8217; sister company APHC Training Ltd&#44; a registered charity&#44; is continuing to offer its successful training grants as the year progresses.]]></description>
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     <title>01/06/2012 - CITY &amp; GUILDS ANNOUNCE GREEN DEAL ADVISOR QUALIFICATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=383</link>
     <description><![CDATA[City &amp; Guilds&#44; in partnership with APHC&#44; is pleased to announce the launch of a full suite of qualifications across all areas of the Green Deal including Advice and Installation. Through extensive collaboration with industry representatives&#44; partners and employers&#44; City &amp; Guilds will offer the range of qualifications in line with the Government&#8217;s standards.]]></description>
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     <title>30/05/2012 - WATER EFFICIENCY CALCULATIONS IN NEW DWELLINGS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=382</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Changes to Part G of the building regulations in 2010 saw the introduction of a mandatory requirement to limit water consumption in new-build properties to 125 litres per person per day.]]></description>
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     <title>25/05/2012 - APHC WELCOME &#163;200 MILLION SUPPORT PROGRAMME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=381</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has welcomed the launch of an innovative &#163;200 million programme to help ambitious SME&#8217;s with genuine potential for rapid and sustainable growth.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>25/04/2012 - APHC Vacancy - Technical Services Officer</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=379</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A vacancy has arisen based at our Head Office in Solihull for a technical subject expert who is an excellent communicator in both oral and written formats to lead on our technical services activities.]]></description>
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     <title>24/04/2012 - VOK&#200;RA OFFERS APHC MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE CASH-BACK DEAL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=380</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Vok&#232;ra is offering members of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) an exclusive cash-back deal with the launch of its APHC chequebook.]]></description>
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     <title>30/03/2012 - NEW LOGO AND BRANDING FOR PHCA</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=377</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Plumbing and Heating Contractors&#8217; Alliance has unveiled its new logo and branding as part of further developments to become a recognised UK body within the plumbing and heating sector.]]></description>
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     <title>30/03/2012 - NEW LABOUR CALCULATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=378</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC have now issued a new cost example for &#8216;labour calculations&#8217;&#44; which is effective from 6th April.]]></description>
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     <title>28/03/2012 - CHANGES TO HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=376</link>
     <description><![CDATA[As part of the budget statement on 21st March a number of changes to Health and Safety Regulations were also announced. Many of these changes will directly impact members and their staff. Below is a summary of the most important:]]></description>
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     <title>12/03/2012 - APHC JOIN FORCES WITH THE AA TO OFFER DISCOUNTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=374</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has joined forces with the AA to offer flexible breakdown cover as a new member benefit. Members can make savings of up to 53% on AA fleet breakdown cover for fleets ranging from 1 to 500 vehicles.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>09/03/2012 - APHC WELCOME CITY &amp; GUILDS BURSARY ANNOUNCMENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=372</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC are pleased to announce their support of the City &amp; Guilds bursary for learners who wish to study for City and Guilds Plumbing qualifications. A small number of bursaries or educational grants are available each year for those who would not be able to afford to study their course without financial support.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>07/03/2012 - PHEX 2012</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=375</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The PHEX Plumbing &amp; Heating Exhibition kicks off in April this year with an all-new look and some exciting new features and events.<BR><BR>As well as the long-established exhibition full of the plumbing and heating industry&#8217;s leading manufacturers and suppliers&#44; for the first time PHEX will also feature live&#44; in-depth product demonstrations&#44; as well as a daily seminar programme covering key topics affecting UK plumbing and heating installers. <BR>]]></description>
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     <title>07/03/2012 - APHC URGES INSTALLERS TO FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED BUILDING REGS CHANGES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=371</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is urging all installers to ensure they feedback on the important changes proposed in the building regulations consultation that is currently underway&#44; many of which are quite far reaching.<BR><BR>]]></description>
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     <title>02/03/2012 - WORCESTER BOSCH SUPPORT SINGLE COMPETENCY SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=370</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A number of industry  organisations have pledged their support to APHC&#8217;s proposals for an Industry-led voluntary single scheme. Following the initial press coverage and growing installer support for the scheme&#44; leading  industry figures  have stepped forward backing the proposals.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>27/02/2012 - WORLD PLUMBING DAY &#8211; 11 MARCH 2012</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=369</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Professor Mala Rao&#44; a former Chief Medical Adviser to the NHS in England and currently Professor of International Health&#44; University of East London&#44; gave a powerful presentation on plumbing and public health at the 9th World Plumbing Conference in Edinburgh&#44; Scotland in September 2011. The organisers of the Conference&#44; the Scottish &amp; Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers&#8217; Federation (SNIPEF) decided that it would be good to share Professor Rao&#8217;s message with a wider audience and commissioned a DVD of her delivering a talk on the importance of plumbing to public health.]]></description>
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     <title>24/02/2012 - MEMBERS GET UP TO &#163;750 CASH BACK ON VOK&#200;RA BOILERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=368</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC members can now claim up to &#163;750 cash back if they purchase a select range of qualifying Vok&#232;ra boilers before 30th September 2012. This new incentive has been introduced as part of the ongoing APHC and Vok&#232;ra collaboration&#44; which was launched in September last year.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>07/02/2012 - UNIQUE SMARTPHONE INSTALLER SEARCH FUNCTION NOW LIVE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=367</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has launched a unique new smartphone search function allowing customers to locate APHC installers using their mobile device.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>03/02/2012 - CLG COMMENCES CONSULTATION ON BUILDING REGULATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=366</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Communities and Local Government has commenced a far reaching consultation on Building Regulations including proposals to make changes to Parts P (Electrical Safety)&#44; L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and more importantly proposals to deal with improvements to regulatory enforcement.<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>02/02/2012 - NATIONAL TYRES AND AUTOCENTRE &#8211; MEMBER DISCOUNTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=364</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is pleased to announce the launch of a new motoring based benefit for members. By joining forces with National Tyres and Autocentre&#44; APHC can now offer members discounts on their MOT&#8217;s&#44; Tyres and other autocare products.]]></description>
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     <title>02/02/2012 - BPEC LIFE AWARD (In Memory of Raymond J Brooks)</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=365</link>
     <description><![CDATA[BPEC (Training) Ltd&#44; the charitable arm of BPEC&#44; has recently been re launched as:<BR><BR>&#8216;The BPEC Charity&#8217; with a strapline &#8216;re-investing in our Industry&#8217;<BR><BR>]]></description>
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     <title>18/01/2012 - A SINGLE COMPETENCY SCHEME - HAVE YOUR SAY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=186</link>
     <description><![CDATA[During December 2011&#44; APHC announced its intention to push towards a single competency scheme in the Plumbing and Heating Industry. The aims of this single scheme are primarily to eradicate the customer confusion surrounding the large range of schemes&#44; the uncertainty around which work...<BR>]]></description>
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     <title>09/01/2012 - NEW LOOK APHC WEBSITE NOW LIVE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=184</link>
     <description><![CDATA[&quot;Better for consumers&#44; better for the trade&#44; and an unrivalled and invaluable resource for members.&quot; This is APHC Chief Executive John Thompson&#39;s verdict on the new APHC website.]]></description>
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     <title>03/01/2012 - TRAINING GRANTS RENEWED FOR 2012</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=185</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors&#8217; sister company APHC Training Ltd&#44; a registered charity&#44; has revealed that it will be introducing a new grant funding scheme for 2012.]]></description>
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     <title>19/12/2011 - APHC PROPOSES SOLUTION TO FRAGMENTATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=183</link>
     <description><![CDATA[&quot;We are under no illusions about the complexity of what we&#39;re proposing&quot; says Patrick Murray&#44; Deputy Chief Executive Officer&#44; APHC. &quot;However&#44; there is a real appetite for this change now&#44; possibly because people are recognising that when it comes to industry fragmentation and its consequences&#44; things are only going to get worse unless we do something about it.&quot;]]></description>
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     <title>09/12/2011 - APHC WELCOME NEW CITY &amp; GUILDS ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY QUALIFICATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=177</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC are pleased to announce their support of the new City & Guilds Environmental Technology Qualifications&#44; which have been designed for qualified plumbing&#44; heating and electrical engineers who wish to broaden their skills to meet the new requirements in installation&#44; or installation and maintenance&#44; of environmental technology systems.]]></description>
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     <title>07/12/2011 09:23:19 - BUILDING SERVICES COALITION CALLS FOR UNITY AMID HVCA PLANS TO FRAGMENT INDUSTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=362</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A coalition of the Building Services industry comprising ECA&#44; SELECT&#44; APHC and SNIPEF warns of dire consequences for the industry if HVCA insists on going ahead with the Building &amp; Engineering Services Association (BESA)....]]></description>
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     <title>09/11/2011 14:24:25 - PHCA WELCOMES REVISED ENERGY SAVING MATERIALS VAT ADVICE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=361</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Following communications with HMRC earlier in the year related to the application of VAT on energy savings materials&#44; the Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors Alliance the overarching body for plumbing and heating businesses in the UK....]]></description>
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     <title>14/10/2011 12:26:42 - APHC SPONSOR GOLD WINNING PLUMBER AT WORLDSKILLS LONDON 2011</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=360</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Shane Trevitt&#44; 22&#44;a plumber from Wirral&#44; has been awarded the gold medal in plumbing and heating at the Worlds largest skills competition; WorldSkills London 2011....]]></description>
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     <title>06/10/2011 09:04:05 - SUMMITSKILLS SEEKS NEW DIRECTOR</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=359</link>
     <description><![CDATA[SummitSkills is seeking an independent director to join its team of board members from 1 January 2012.]]></description>
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     <title>30/09/2011 08:47:04 - APHC DELIGHT FOR TRAILBLAZING MEMBER&#44; ANDY BUCHAN</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=358</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC member Andy Buchan received a national award for &#8364;&#732;An Individual who has made an Outstanding Contribution to the Renewable Energy Industry at the recent Renewables Awards held at the Ricoh Arena.]]></description>
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     <title>22/09/2011 16:33:30 - VOKERA AND APHC COLLABORATION AGREEMENT GIVES MEMBERS A RANGE OF EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=357</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Boiler and renewables manufacturer Vok&#232;ra has formed a unique collaboration agreement with APHC (Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors).  Created to help contractors develop their businesses&#44; the agreement will provide a range of benefits....]]></description>
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     <title>20/09/2011 16:46:10 - WIDE-REACHING SUPPORT FOR VAT REDUCTION TO IMPROVE THE GREEN DEAL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=356</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has supported a joint statement calling on the Government to use VAT to incentivise consumer take up of the Green Deal.]]></description>
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     <title>06/09/2011 10:56:10 - DISCOUNTED WEBSITE DESIGN SERVICE FOR MEMBERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=355</link>
     <description><![CDATA[PHC  members can now take advantage of a new member benefit  that will save you money on website design. SiteWizard&#44; who have been supplying businesses with attractive and practical websites and internet services for the last 15 years&#44; have now joined forces with APHC to provide you with a 15% discount off their website design prices.]]></description>
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     <title>19/08/2011 12:59:31 - CALL FOR BOARD DIRECTORS NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=354</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies established by SummitSkills (the sector skills council for the building services engineering sector) is looking for people with a passion for low carbon skills development to become its board directors.]]></description>
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     <title>16/08/2011 17:49:32 - 5% VAT CALL MAKES SENSE IN EVERY WAY&#44; SAYS APHC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=353</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHCs CEO&#44; John Thompson&#44; has called for the industry to maintain pressure on Government over its calls for a 5% VAT rate on all energy efficiency building and improvement projects.]]></description>
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     <title>11/08/2011 10:01:31 - GAS SAFETY WEEK: TAKE CARE&#44; BE GAS SAFE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=352</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC are proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week taking place 12th -18th September 2011.]]></description>
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     <title>01/08/2011 14:19:56 - INSTALLER SCHEMES SUPPORTING MICROGENERATION (RENEWABLES) INSTALLATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=351</link>
     <description><![CDATA[One of the hottest topics of discussion at present relates to confusion surrounding installer schemes that underpin current and proposed financial support incentives from Government in microgeneration technologies relating to work in residential properties. The current situation is that 2012 will see the introduction of two major support schemes relating to plumbing and heating work]]></description>
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     <title>26/07/2011 11:02:54 - FUEL COSTS HOLDING COMPANIES BACK&#44; SAYS APHC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=350</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Association urges support for fuel campaignThe Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors says the industry is suffering a double-whammy thanks to the combination of the high price of fuel and the recession. Not only are fuel costs eating into profits but the recession means customers will not tolerate price rises to allow for the ever-increasing cost of fuel.]]></description>
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     <title>18/07/2011 15:15:48 - NEW APHC PRESIDENT TO TACKLE PROBLEM OF FRAGMENTATION IN THE INDUSTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=349</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHCs new President has committed to raising and tackling the issue of fragmentation in the industry. John Breakell says he will use his year as President to take his message to the industry and political leaders.]]></description>
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     <title>04/07/2011 08:43:54 - OFGEM CONSULTATION ON THE RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=348</link>
     <description><![CDATA[OFGEM has recently issued two consultation documents on the application of the Renewable Heat Incentive relating to the funding support to be made available for renewable technologies.]]></description>
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     <title>01/07/2011 11:07:30 - APHC INVITES NON-MEMBERS TO TAKE UP TRAINING GRANTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=347</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Training Ltd says that well over half of the &#163;60 grants it is offering to support plumbing and heating companies have been taken up. Most of the grants&#44; however&#44; have been taken up by APHC members while the Association wishes to make clear that the grants are open to all eligible companies on selected courses - members and non-members alike.]]></description>
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     <title>01/07/2011 11:06:40 - HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE NEW ENTRANTS TO GAS INDUSTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=346</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Over the past two years&#44; the competence Standards Setting Body (SSB) has facilitated many discussions on whether the existing routes to registration with Gas Safe Register&#44; in particular for new entrants&#44; are sufficient&#44; robust and deliver a consistent outcome. Now you can have your say on whether the current regime is fit for purpose or whether it needs to change.]]></description>
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     <title>23/05/2011 09:36:14 - PLUMBING TRADE ASSOCIATIONS ESTABLISH UK BODY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=345</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF) have established an overarching body for plumbing and heating businesses throughout the United Kingdom.While the two organisations will continue to operate under their own identities&#44; the new Plumbing and Heating Contractors Alliance Ltd will provide the mechanism for undertaking joint activities that affect plumbing and heating businesses across the UK.]]></description>
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     <title>03/05/2011 10:57:39 - APHC ANNOUNCES &#163;20&#44;000 TRAINING INVESTMENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=344</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Training Ltd&#44; a registered charity&#44; is donating &#163;20&#44;000 to support plumbing and heating companies who wish to keep their existing qualified employees up to date on their training. All companies  APHC members and non-members alike  will be able to apply on a first come first served basis for a one-off &#163;60 grant towards training on selected courses. The scheme opens to applications on 3 May.]]></description>
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     <title>27/04/2011 15:10:58 - APHC AND PLUMB CENTER IN PARTNERSHIP PILOT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=343</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors and Plumb Center have entered into partnership with a pilot project at the companys flagship Leeds branch. The partnership&#44; which was officially launched at a customer event on 14 April&#44; will see Plumb Center recommending APHC members to customers&#44; and at the same time offering APHC members a discount on their purchases.]]></description>
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     <title>20/04/2011 14:42:30 - APHC ENGAGES LAW FIRM TO ADVISE MEMBERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=342</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Members of the Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors now have access to specialist business and expert consumer legal advice seven days a week after the Association signed a deal with national law firm Access Legal from Shoosmiths.]]></description>
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     <title>07/04/2011 16:47:56 - ASBESTOS AWARENESS SURVEY LAUNCHED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=341</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A national survey has been launched exploring general awareness and understanding of asbestos in buildings and the regulations designed to protect UK workers from being exposed to asbestos in their workplace.]]></description>
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     <title>31/03/2011 15:53:20 - Prime Cost of Dayworks/ Cost of Labour Calculation 2011</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=340</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has issued its 2011 version of the Prime Cost of Dayworks/ Cost of Labour Calculations effective from 6th April 2011. The exemplar calculation methodology in assisting with formulating charge rates is included in the members section of the website under Resource Documents for members to download.]]></description>
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     <title>22/03/2011 11:28:41 - JOHN THOMPSON IS NEW APHC CEO</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=339</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHCs Former Deputy CEO and Technical Manager John Thompson has been named as the Associations new Chief Executive Officer.]]></description>
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     <title>18/03/2011 15:53:14 - GREG BARKER&#44; MINISTER OF STATE OUTLINES PROPOSALS TO PROTECT GREEN ELECTRICITY SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=338</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Proposals to reduce the financial support available to larger scale solar-produced electricity have been published by the Government today as part of plans to protect financial support for homes&#44; communities and small businesses.The consultation follows the launch in February of a fast-track review into how the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) work for solar photovoltaic (PV) over 50kW after evidence showing that there could already be 169MW of large scale solar capacity in the planning system - equivalent to funding solar panels on the roofs of around 50&#44;000 homes if tariffs are left unchanged.]]></description>
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     <title>17/03/2011 16:03:13 - APHC BACKS HMRC PURGE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=337</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors has welcomed HMRCs announcement of a crackdown on companies and individuals in the industry who are not meeting their tax and regulatory obligations.]]></description>
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     <title>04/03/2011 15:03:11 - HMRC TARGET ROGUE PLUMBING AND HEATING BUSINESSES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=336</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Plumbers Tax Safe Plan (PTSP) is designed for people working within the plumbing industry who have not told HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC) about all their income in the past and who now want to get back on track. It is intended to cover people who work (or worked) in the plumbing&#44; heating or gas installation trades and this includes anyone who installs and repairs pipes and fixtures for water&#44; drainage or gas systems in a building.]]></description>
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     <title>16/02/2011 13:33:31 - THE SEARCH IS ON FOR &quot;BRITAIN&#39;S FAVOURITE PLUMBER&quot;</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=335</link>
     <description><![CDATA[City Plumbing Supplies has launched its first ever nationwide search for &quot;Britains Favourite Plumber&quot;. Plumbers can be nominated and voted for the award by customers and colleagues and plumbers can also nominate themselves.]]></description>
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     <title>16/02/2011 10:05:36 - GOVERNMENT OPENS UP CONTRACTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=334</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A radical package of measures to open up the way that Government does business and to make sure that small companies&#44; charities and voluntary organisations are in the best possible position to compete for billions of pounds worth of contracts has been outlined by the Prime Minister.]]></description>
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     <title>09/02/2011 16:25:41 - PAYING REDUCED RATE VAT ON ENERGY-SAVING MATERIALS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=333</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Paying reduced rate VAT on energy-saving materialsWhen you purchase certain energy saving materials and equipment you&#39;ll be charged a lower rate of VAT than normal. For more infomation goto http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/energy-saving.htm]]></description>
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     <title>04/02/2011 15:42:13 - HSE NEWS HEALTH AND SAFETY BULLETINS  GAS BOILERS - FLUES IN VOIDS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=332</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Changes to industry guidance relating to existing gas central heating systems where the flue system is concealed within a void and cannot be visually inspected (i.e. to make sure it is safe) will require provision of inspection hatches before 31st December 2012.]]></description>
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     <title>04/02/2011 14:57:01 - HSE ASBESTOS ESSENTIALS GUIDE COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=331</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Large amounts of asbestos were used in new and refubished buildings upto 2000.Blue and brown asbestos was banned in 1985&#44; but white was only ban as recently as 1999.]]></description>
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     <title>04/02/2011 11:18:27 - APHC CONCERN OVER EBAY SAFETY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=330</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors has spoken out over internet marketplace eBay providing a platform for the selling safety-critical heating and plumbing items. The Association says sales of safety critical gas components via non-recognised routes such as eBay may lead to unsafe components being supplied or being applied incorrectly&#44; leading to major safety issues.]]></description>
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     <title>10/01/2011 09:11:04 - APHC CLARIFIES ITS POSITION REGARDING BPEC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=329</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC CLARIFIES ITS POSITION REGARDING BPECFollowing recent talks between the Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors and BPEC&#44; APHC has clarified its position regarding the relationship between the two organisations.]]></description>
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     <title>06/01/2011 13:37:50 - NEW VAT RATES COME INTO FORCE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=328</link>
     <description><![CDATA[VAT rate rise to 20% must be charged on all the services you offer on or after the 4th January 2011.For more infomation go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/forms-rates/rates/rate-rise-guidance.pdf]]></description>
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     <title>03/12/2010 11:32:56 - PENSIONS REGULATIONS ARE COMING INTO FORCE IN 2012</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=327</link>
     <description><![CDATA[As an employer&#44; if you do not currently offer your employees the opportunity to join a company pension scheme then the date is getting closer when that will change.With effect from October 2012 Government legislation will be introduced which will require all employers to offer a pension arrangement to their employees.]]></description>
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     <title>01/12/2010 11:57:16 - Membership renewal letters will be sent out Friday 3rd December</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=326</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Membership renewal letters will be sent out Friday 3rd December. Along with letters we are including a members survey which will helps us to better understand which benefits and support materials you value. This your chance to voice your opinions and help shape your association.]]></description>
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     <title>25/10/2010 10:47:00 - GAS SAFE REGISTER - COMPETENCE REVIEW 2010</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=325</link>
     <description><![CDATA[As you may be aware&#44; Gas Safe Register is facilitating a review into the competence requirements for registration. The review will be conducted over the next 12 months with a final report submitted to the HSE in autumn 2011.]]></description>
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     <title>26/08/2010 14:53:44 - APHC WELCOMES UN RECOGNITION OF WATER AND SANITATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=324</link>
     <description><![CDATA[One of APHCs stated aims in recent months has been to raise awareness of the importance of plumbing and sanitation....]]></description>
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     <title>22/07/2010 14:54:15 - APHC LAUNCHES TRAINING FUNDING GUIDE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=323</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Funding for training is a complex and confusing subject for employers&#44; employees and new recruits alike. This is why the Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors....]]></description>
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     <title>25/06/2010 16:56:42 - LEADING CONSTRUCTION GROUP WELCOMES CHANCELLOR&#39;S INQUIRY INTO CONSTRUCTION COSTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=322</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group has welcomed the Chancellors announcement of an inquiry into the cost of UK construction....]]></description>
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     <title>15/06/2010 14:52:59 - INDUSTRY FRAGMENTATION COULD PUT LIVES AT RISK</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=321</link>
     <description><![CDATA[There was a time when the plumbing and heating industry was more straightforward. Not easier&#44; but certainly less complicated....]]></description>
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     <title>15/06/2010 14:48:55 - APHC CRITICISES PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT AS HIPS ARE SUSPENDED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=320</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Following the announcement by Housing Minister Grant Shapps that Home Information Packs have been suspended with a view to abolishing them altogether....]]></description>
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     <title>30/04/2010 11:05:00 - TOLENT CLAUSES AND THE CONSTRUCTION ACT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=319</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In the last week or so there has been a very important case in the Technology and Construction Court which deals with a number of issues relating to adjudication....]]></description>
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     <title>28/04/2010 17:06:18 - CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LEADER THROWS OUT A CHALLENGE TO BROWN&#44; CAMERON AND CLEGG</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=318</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Chairman of the Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group  which represents the largest single component of construction output....]]></description>
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     <title>12/04/2010 09:33:50 - MOREABILITY CELEBRATES THREE-YEAR CITY COUNCIL CONTRACT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=317</link>
     <description><![CDATA[MoreAbility&#44; based in South Leeds&#44; has secured a further three-year agreement with the Leeds City Council Adaptations Agency for the delivery of bathroom and toilet adaptations for the elderly and disabled until 2013....]]></description>
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     <title>09/04/2010 15:56:19 - PROJECT BANK ACCOUNTS: CROSSRAIL SETS HISTORIC EXAMPLE TO PUBLIC SECTOR CLIENTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=316</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group  representing a sector comprising over 60&#44;000 companies in the UK construction industry  has welcomed reports that Crossrail will be using project bank accounts....]]></description>
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     <title>09/04/2010 10:17:43 - FLY-BY-NIGHT TRAINERS HIT HARD TIMES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=315</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Following the announcement by one of the big five banks that they are exiting the specialist adult education and training market....]]></description>
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     <title>08/04/2010 14:47:43 - PRIME COST OF DAYWORKS 2010</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=314</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The newly calculated Prime Cost of Dayworks and cost of labour calculation for the forthcoming financial year is now available to download.]]></description>
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     <title>07/04/2010 12:00:10 - NEW MAJOR CONTRACTORS GROUP&#39;S CONCERN OVER ZERO CARBON TARGET</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=313</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHCs Major Contractors Group met recently at the Houses of Parliament&#44; attracting a high-calibre list of major plumbing and mechanical contractors. They discussed in detail the practicalities of turning the Governments ambitious environmental aims into reality&#44; concluding that without some radical changes&#44; the targets set may be unreachable. The Group concluded that reaching these targets would need a unified approach not only from the industry but also from Government departments&#44; rather than the fragmented approach currently being seen.]]></description>
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     <title>31/03/2010 10:25:16 - SMES WELCOME PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE&#39;S VOTE ON LATE PAYMENTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=312</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Brussels&#44; 18 March 2010  UEAPME&#44; the European craft and SME employers organisation&#44; welcomed the results of todays vote at the European Parliaments Industry Committee on the late payments directive....]]></description>
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     <title>25/03/2010 12:16:09 - MEMBERS TO NOTIFY NEW-BUILDS AFTER APHC LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION NOTIFICATIONS SYSTEM</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=311</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Following valuable feedback from the users of APHCs one-stop notification site&#44; the next generation system has now been launched giving users the ability to add notifications for new-build properties that have no recognised address....]]></description>
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     <title>23/03/2010 11:04:02 - WATER COMPANIES CUTTING WATER PRESSURE ANGERS CUSTOMERS AND PLUMBERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=310</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A recent article in the Saturday Telegraph Newspaper (20th March) covered a topic that has been raised by many APHC members  Water Companies cutting water pressure....]]></description>
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     <title>19/03/2010 11:13:23 - GREEN SKILLS ACADEMY FOR BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERING</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=309</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Employers in the building services engineering sector are set to benefit from a new national skills academy that will co-ordinate skills training in design&#44; installation and maintenance of environmental technologies....]]></description>
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     <title>16/03/2010 12:05:51 - HEALTH AND SAFETY MINISTER ATTENDS SEC GROUP DINNER</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=308</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Health and Safety Minister at the Department for Works and Pensions  Lord McKenzie of Luton  attended the SEC Group Board Dinner on 3 March....]]></description>
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     <title>11/03/2010 14:50:00 - APHC MEMBERS CELEBRATE WORLD PLUMBING DAY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=307</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC members are doing their bit to promote World Plumbing Day. One Nottingham based company have taken an interest in the day....]]></description>
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     <title>11/03/2010 14:43:54 - HOT &amp; COLD MARCH IS NOW AVAILABLE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=306</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The March 2010 edition of Hot &amp; Cold is now available to download from the website....]]></description>
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     <title>22/02/2010 16:07:50 - 2010 TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=305</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association has announced 2010 dates for its highly-regarded training courses....]]></description>
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     <title>15/02/2010 09:24:52 - BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME - INTERIM RESULTS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=304</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Government has announced that 44% of vouchers offering money off the cost of a new boiler have been claimed under its scrappage scheme for England....]]></description>
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     <title>01/02/2010 10:58:29 - IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM CHANGES LAUNCHED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=303</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has launched some significant changes to its Online Notification system. Users can now notify all their works on new-build properties....]]></description>
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     <title>25/01/2010 09:15:24 - SEC GROUP FOCUS JANUARY NOW AVAILABLE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=302</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The January edition of the SEC GROUP Focus is now available to download from the members area of the webiste.]]></description>
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     <title>07/01/2010 14:26:17 - KEEP YOUR FAMILY WARM IN THE BIG FREEZE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=301</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Gas Safe Register is issuing essential safety advice for householders on how to stay warm and safe during the extreme weather conditions.]]></description>
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     <title>05/01/2010 13:30:31 - APHC APPLAUDS SCRAPPAGE SCHEME LAUNCH</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=300</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has congratulated the Energy Savings Trust and the Department of Energy and Climate Change for rapidly pulling the Boiler Scrappage Scheme together....]]></description>
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     <title>29/12/2009 10:35:37 - WORLD PLUMBING DAY MESSAGE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=299</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Robert Burgon&#44; Chairman of the World Plumbing Council has issued the following message about the upcoming World Plumbing Day....]]></description>
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     <title>16/12/2009 11:43:29 - HOT AND COLD DECEMBER IS NOW AVAILABLE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=298</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The December Edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the website....]]></description>
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     <title>09/12/2009 13:06:29 - APHC SUPPORTS BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME BUT WARNS OF ITS SHORTCOMINGS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=297</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Just months after APHC threw its weight behind the idea of a boiler scrappage scheme&#44; the Chancellor announced in his Pre-Budget Report yesterday that in 2010 a boiler scrappage scheme will be implemented....]]></description>
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     <title>07/12/2009 12:14:59 - COST OF PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=296</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The most extensive survey to date of the cost of pre-qualification in the construction industry has revealed that waste associated with this process amounts to almost &#163;40 million a year  and this is just for the specialist engineering sector....]]></description>
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     <title>02/12/2009 15:45:48 - PETER MANDELSON LAUNCHES LOW CARBON CONSTRUCTION IGT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=295</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Attending the first meeting of the Innovation and Growth Team on Construction&#44; Peter Mandelson today laid down a challenge to members&#44; to ensure the industry is &quot;fit for purpose&#8364;&#157; for delivering a low carbon future....]]></description>
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     <title>01/12/2009 11:03:46 - E-HOT &amp; COLD LAUNCHED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=294</link>
     <description><![CDATA[E-Hot &amp; Cold&#44; APHCs new electronic newsletter has officially been launched.]]></description>
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     <title>17/11/2009 16:12:12 - CITY &amp; GUILDS GIVE GUIDANCE ON QCF</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=293</link>
     <description><![CDATA[City &amp; Guilds have launched a series of new website pages guiding you through the move to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)....]]></description>
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     <title>13/11/2009 11:23:54 - MEMBERS HELP IMPROVE APHC NOTIFICATIONS SYSTEM</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=292</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC&#39;s successful online notification system has been boosted by some fundamental changes that have been made in direct response to feedback from members....]]></description>
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     <title>09/11/2009 14:15:15 - APHC ISSUES GUIDANCE FOLLOWING CHANNEL 4 LEAD SCARE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=291</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Following the publicity around Stirling Universitys recently-released research on working with lead&#44; and Channel 4 News subsequent report&#44; APHC is re-issuing advice....]]></description>
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     <title>02/11/2009 14:13:54 - SUMMITSKILLS SEEKS NEW BOARD DIRECTOR</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=290</link>
     <description><![CDATA[SummitSkills&#44; the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering (BSE) sector&#44; is seeking an independent director to join its team of board members from 1 January 2010....]]></description>
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     <title>14/10/2009 09:41:06 - HOT AND COLD OCTOBER NOW AVAILABLE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=289</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The October edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website....]]></description>
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     <title>06/10/2009 09:40:20 - APHC CALLS FOR COMMON-SENSE APPROACH WITH LICENCE TO PRACTISE IN PLUMBING INDUSTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=288</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC (Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors) has written to key MPs calling for a review of the concept that Licence to Practise is the solution to skills problems within the sector. The Association is largely supportive of the Licence to Practise idea but believes that a number of key criteria need to be met before it could work without becoming a burden to the plumbing and heating industry.]]></description>
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     <title>03/10/2009 16:40:06 - TRI-PARTITE AGREEMENT BY INDUSTRY BODIES TO PREVENT POOR TRAINING PRACTICES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=287</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The lead UK plumbing employers organisations APHC and SNIPEF with SummitSkills&#44; the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering - which includes the plumbing and heating industry....]]></description>
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     <title>25/09/2009 08:43:40 - POOR TRAINING IS UNDERMINING RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES&#44; SAYS APHC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=286</link>
     <description><![CDATA[While renewable technologies are being hailed as the future of the plumbing &amp; heating industry&#44; APHC (Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors)...]]></description>
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     <title>22/09/2009 15:21:38 - APHC SUPPORTS CALL FOR BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=285</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has thrown its weight behind the calls for the Government to introduce a boiler scrappage scheme....]]></description>
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     <title>21/09/2009 09:21:35 - PART G IMPLEMENTATION DELAYED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=284</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that the implementation of changes to Part G will be delayed until 2010....]]></description>
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     <title>07/09/2009 15:13:54 - APHC CONGRATULATES CHRIS LONSDALE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=283</link>
     <description><![CDATA[SkillPlumb 2009 winner Christopher Lonsdale has won a medallion of excellence at the WorldSkills competition in Calgary....]]></description>
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     <title>19/08/2009 09:06:53 - APHC MEMBER SAVES OVER &#163;12&#44;000 ON NOTIFICATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=282</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In the four months since APHC launched its comprehensive notifications system&#44; one of its largest members says the system has saved them over &#163;12&#44;000....]]></description>
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     <title>14/08/2009 08:46:43 - HOT AND COLD JULY/AUGUST NOW AVAILABLE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=281</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The July / August Edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the website....]]></description>
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     <title>13/08/2009 13:05:40 - PART G: APHC WELCOMES CHANGED REGULATIONS BUT ISSUES WARNING</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=280</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC (Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors) has broadly welcomed changes to Part G of the Building Regulations but has warned that the industry....]]></description>
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     <title>11/08/2009 14:56:15 - APHC HEALTH AND SAFETY QUESTIONNAIRE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=279</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC Ltd are committed to working with the Health and Safety Executive and others&#44; to develop and improve Health and Safety Key Performance Indicators....]]></description>
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     <title>11/08/2009 11:24:13 - LOBBYING ON PART 8 OF THE LOCAL DEMOCRACY&#44; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION BILL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=278</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Local Democracy&#44; Economic Development and Construction Bill  to be debated at Report stage in the House of Commons on 13 October....]]></description>
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     <title>24/07/2009 15:05:40 - SUMMITSKILLS FINALS RETURN TO INTERBUILD</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=277</link>
     <description><![CDATA[SummitSkills live action grand finals are plunging their way back to Interbuild 2009 following a hugely successful debut at the exhibition last year.]]></description>
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     <title>23/07/2009 16:09:33 - SUMMITSKILLS RECOGNISED FOR WORK IN DRIVING SKILLS AGENDA</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=276</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Government announces decision to relicence Sector Skills Council.]]></description>
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     <title>16/07/2009 17:15:29 - LATEST REGIONAL MEETING DATES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=275</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association has released dates for the upcoming regional meetings. The next four meetings are to be held in the following....]]></description>
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     <title>09/07/2009 12:17:52 - APHC SMALL WORKS ORDER FORM TEMPLATE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=274</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has produced a small works order form template to assist member firms in producing their own small works order form pads.]]></description>
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     <title>06/07/2009 12:42:41 - NEW APHC PRESIDENT MAKES INDUSTRY COMPETENCE THE PRIORITY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=273</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Brian Silvester was welcomed as the new President of APHC (Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors) by industry colleagues....]]></description>
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     <title>13/06/2009 01:32:28 - APHC STALWART AWARDED MBE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=272</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Robert Price&#44; who has served both the APHC and the wider plumbing industry in many capacities over the last two decades&#44; has been awarded an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours List.]]></description>
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     <title>10/06/2009 10:38:19 - APHC LAUDS COMMON SENSE PAY DEAL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=271</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC (Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors) says that a new pay deal it has negotiated with Unite the union represents a common sense....]]></description>
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     <title>09/06/2009 16:08:41 - CHN MOVES INTO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT  FOR E.ON</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=270</link>
     <description><![CDATA[CHN Technical Services&#44; part of Energy Services&#44; is taking over the maintenance of our 98 buildings across the Uk from the 1st July&#44; replacing current contractor Inviron.]]></description>
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     <title>09/06/2009 10:11:50 - NEW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST RECESSION AND BUILD NOW FOR FUTURE PROSPERITY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=269</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Government has today created a new Department for Business&#44; Innovation and Skills whose key role will beto build Britain&#39;s capabilities to compete in the global economy.]]></description>
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     <title>20/05/2009 14:42:50 - HOT AND COLD APRIL 2009 UPLOADED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=268</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The April / May edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website...]]></description>
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     <title>20/05/2009 14:34:48 - RECORD NUMBERS OF MEMBERS JOIN APHC</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=267</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC (Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors) has bucked the current economic trend&#44; with many building services contractors....]]></description>
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     <title>30/04/2009 09:52:23 - CAMPAIGN TO RETAIN THE OPT OUT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=266</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Talks on the EU Working Time Directive have broken down without agreement being reached.]]></description>
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     <title>21/04/2009 17:07:11 - Gas Safe Register Video</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=265</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Gas Safe Register have created a short video to explain the change-over from CORGI.]]></description>
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     <title>17/03/2009 11:45:12 - REDUCED VAT RATES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=264</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The finance ministers of the 27 EU Member States have reached a permanent agreement on reduced VAT rates...]]></description>
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     <title>05/03/2009 10:59:25 - HOT AND COLD FEBRUARY 2009 UPLOADED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=263</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The February edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area...]]></description>
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     <title>05/03/2009 10:24:51 - HOT AND COLD DECEMBER 2008 UPLOADED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=262</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The December edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website.]]></description>
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     <title>27/02/2009 17:31:44 - APHC TO OFFER NOTIFIABLE GAS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=261</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC (Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors) has announced that from 1 April&#44; it will offer Gas Safe registered engineers...]]></description>
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     <title>11/02/2009 10:41:34 - APHC THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND SUMMITSKILLS&#39; SHORT COURSE CONDEMNATION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=260</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has given SummitSkills&#44; the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering&#44; its wholehearted backing...]]></description>
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     <title>07/01/2009 11:18:43 - UPDATE ON CUT THE VAT CAMPAIGN</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=258</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In 2008 the campaign to cut VAT on building and maintenance work achieved many things...]]></description>
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     <title>07/01/2009 10:43:55 - H&amp;V NEWS AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=257</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The H&amp;V News Awards 2009 have officially been launched...]]></description>
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     <title>23/12/2008 14:41:19 - HOT AND COLD DECEMBER 2008 UPLOADED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=256</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The December edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website.]]></description>
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     <title>19/12/2008 15:25:27 - LOCAL DEMOCRACY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION BILL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=255</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Part 8 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill was presented to the House of Lords...]]></description>
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     <title>10/12/2008 11:03:15 - NEW GAS SAFETY BRAND REVEALED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=254</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Capita yesterday announced that from 1st April next year Gas Safe Register&#8222;&#162; will be the new name for the gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain...]]></description>
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     <title>08/12/2008 11:02:58 - WELCOME FOR CONSTRUCTION ACT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=253</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group has welcomed the announcement in the Queens Speech of the Local Democracy&#44; Economic Development &amp; Construction Bill.]]></description>
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     <title>05/12/2008 13:10:11 - IS YOUR LOCAL MP SUPPORTING THE CAMPAIGN FOR A CUT IN VAT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=252</link>
     <description><![CDATA[During the last session of Parliament&#44; an Early Day Motion (EDM) was tabled by Bob Russell MP....]]></description>
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     <title>02/12/2008 10:24:17 - APHC PUTS CASE TO MANDELSON</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=251</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In a meeting on 17 November&#44; APHC Chief Executive&#44; Clive Dickin&#44; met the Governments Business and Enterprise Secretary&#44; Lord Mandelson.]]></description>
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     <title>21/11/2008 10:00:45 - APHC TO HONOUR ALL DISCOUNT VOUCHERS OFFERED FOR OTHER COMPETENT PERSONS SCHEMES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=250</link>
     <description><![CDATA[With several manufacturers now offering plumbing and heating engineers discount vouchers to join a variety of schemes...]]></description>
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     <title>18/11/2008 11:36:58 - SKILLPLUMB 2008 - THE WINNERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=249</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The finalists of SkillPLUMB 2008 were awarded their prizes during an awards evening held at the National Motorcycle Museum at the end of October.]]></description>
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     <title>18/11/2008 10:38:52 - SECTOR SKILLS COUNCIL RELICENSING</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=248</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Over the coming months&#44; the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) will carry out an assessment of SSC&#39;s.]]></description>
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     <title>04/11/2008 14:56:25 - CALLING ALL VAN DRIVERS...</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=247</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Department for Transport has announced a brand new programme aimed at UK van users.]]></description>
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     <title>30/10/2008 11:04:40 - APHC AND CITY &amp; GUILDS IN GROUND-BREAKING PARTNERSHIP</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=246</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Customers to benefit&#44; rogue traders to suffer under joint initiative launched at Interbuild.]]></description>
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     <title>16/10/2008 19:17:30 - APHC CREATES NEW INDUSTRY GROUP TO REPRESENT MAJOR CONTRACTORS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=245</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In recognition of the unique needs of its larger member companies&#44; APHC has launched the Plumbing &amp; Heating Major Contractors Group.]]></description>
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     <title>03/10/2008 13:20:12 - INDUSTRY SUPPORT FOR CHIEF CONSTRUCTION OFFICER</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=244</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group has congratulated the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform....]]></description>
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     <title>29/09/2008 15:27:12 - INTRODUCTION OF NEW DOORSTEP SELLING REGULATIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=243</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumers Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 (commonly known as the Doorstep Selling Regulations)...]]></description>
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     <title>29/09/2008 12:22:51 - FREE COACHES TO INTERBUILD</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=242</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is offering members free coach transport to the industrys largest building show&#44; courtesy of Interbuild.]]></description>
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     <title>29/09/2008 12:02:23 - HOT AND COLD OCTOBER 2008 UPLOADED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=241</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Issue 28 of our members newsletter&#44; Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website.]]></description>
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     <title>23/09/2008 15:11:26 - MEMBER CONSULTATION - REVISED CUSTOMER CHARTER AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=240</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Due to the introduction of the new &#8364;&#339;doorstep selling&#8364;&#157; regulations that have become law in October&#44; quite profound and sizeable changes are proposed...]]></description>
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     <title>15/09/2008 11:24:51 - CAPITA SIGN CONTRACT TO OPERATE NEW GAS SAFETY SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=239</link>
     <description><![CDATA[On Monday 8 September Capita signed a ten year contract with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to operate a new gas installer registration scheme...]]></description>
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     <title>04/09/2008 12:30:36 - APHC VAN STICKERS COULD EARN YOU MONEY...</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=238</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is giving away free van stickers to any member who requests them. There is no limit to how many you can request and they are a great way to advertise your credentials as you and your employees drive around.]]></description>
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     <title>04/09/2008 12:27:21 - INTERBUILD 2008</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=237</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Interbuild 2008 is fast approaching and APHC is once again taking a leading presence at the show. As well as sponsoring the highly anticipated SkillPLUMB finals at the show APHC....]]></description>
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     <title>04/09/2008 12:19:41 - CAPITA OFFICIALLY AWARDED GAS REGISTRATION SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=236</link>
     <description><![CDATA[On the 29th August the HSE officially announced that Capita has been awarded the Service Concession Agreement...]]></description>
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     <title>18/08/2008 16:52:45 - RAYMOND J BROOKS SCHOLARSHIP</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=235</link>
     <description><![CDATA[BPEC in association with APHC is delighted to invite applications for the Raymond J Brooks Scholarship.]]></description>
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     <title>13/08/2008 13:52:07 - HOT AND COLD AUGUST 2008 UPLOADED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=234</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Issue 27 of members newsletter&#44; Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website.]]></description>
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     <title>31/07/2008 10:47:20 - IAN LIVSEY APPOINTED AS NEW SUMMITSKILLS CHAIR</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=233</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Ian Livsey&#44; current chief executive of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has been appointed as the new chair of SummitSkills...]]></description>
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     <title>28/07/2008 16:02:37 - APHC TRAINING COURSES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=232</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is offering members and non members the following training courses between now and the end of the year...]]></description>
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     <title>23/07/2008 15:00:55 - HSE Produce FAQ's for the new Gas Registration Scheme</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=231</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In a bid to reduce the amount of questions being asked in the industry about the new Gas Registration Scheme...]]></description>
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     <title>17/07/2008 14:23:14 - APHC TO SPONSOR SKILLPLUMB</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=230</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC has become the new sponsor of SKILLPLUMB&#44; the skills competition run by SummitSkills&#44; the sector skills council for building services engineering.]]></description>
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     <title>17/07/2008 14:20:14 - APHC WELCOMES BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE REPORT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=229</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Business and Enterprise Committee yesterday published its Report&#44; Construction Matters (HC 127-1)&#44; a major strategic review of the UKs construction industry.]]></description>
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     <title>25/06/2008 13:34:04 - NEW APHC PRESIDENT INAUGURATED AT BIGGEST EVER NATIONAL EVENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=228</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Graham Beevers has been inaugurated as President of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). He succeeds Harry Pooley and can expect a busy 12 months of events and engagements.]]></description>
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     <title>18/06/2008 10:15:01 - HSE ANNOUNCES PREFERRED BIDDER FOR NEW GAS REGISTRATION SCHEME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=227</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Health and Safety (HSE) today announced that it has selected Capita as its preferred bidder to run the new registration scheme for gas installers from 1 April 2009.]]></description>
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     <title>17/06/2008 16:28:55 - CONSULTATION ON MAJOR CHANGES TO REGULATIONS AFFECTING PLUMBING</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=226</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Proposed revisions to two parts of the building regulations G  Hygiene and L  Conservation of fuel and power are currently the subject of consultation...]]></description>
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     <title>17/06/2008 16:28:04 - HSE SAFETY ALERT REDUNDANT SOLID FUEL BACK BOILERS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=225</link>
     <description><![CDATA[This alert follows several incidents in the last five years&#44; three of which resulted in serious injury&#44; and sadly in one case&#44; a fatality.]]></description>
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     <title>01/05/2008 15:51:07 - APHC AND INTERBUILD 2008</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=224</link>
     <description><![CDATA[A NEW HEATING &amp; PLUMBING PAVILION is being launched at Interbuild 2008 (Sunday 26th  Thursday 30th October at Birminghams NEC).]]></description>
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     <title>17/03/2008 14:34:12 - 5% VAT CALL BY APHC AND CROSS-INDUSTRY COALITION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=223</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) has become a key player in the cross-industry &#8364;&#339;Cut the VAT Coalition&#8364;&#157;. The Coalition aims to persuade Government to cut VAT from 17.5% to 5% on all building repair and maintenance work. The benefits of doing this are enormous and widespread&#44; with APHC particularly interested in the damage it could do to rogue traders who ignore VAT in order to charge a lower price. With VAT at only 5%&#44; their price advantage over qualified engineers would be minimal and using them would become far less attractive.]]></description>
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     <title>25/01/2008 11:37:44 - OUTSTANDING SPEAKERS TO ATTRACT NATION&#39;S PLUMBERS TO APHC EVENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=222</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Les Philpott&#44; Director of Utilities Interventions at the Health &amp; Safety Executive&#44; will be making the keynote address at the APHC annual National Plumbing and Heating Weekend. The timing of the event means it is highly likely to be very close to the HSEs announcement of which organisation has been chosen to run the reformed gas installer registration scheme.]]></description>
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     <title>25/01/2008 11:24:33 - INCOMPLETE ADVICE COULD RISK A FURTHER 1.5 MILLION HOMES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=221</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Rhianna Hardie coroner underestimates potential risk from failing heating appliances.APHC is warning that even more homes could be affected by potential failings in their hot water systems than the 3.5 million suggested by coroner Michael Rose&#44; following the tragic death of Rhianna Hardie.]]></description>
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     <title>21/01/2008 09:25:25 - HPE 08</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=220</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Heating and Plumbing Event (HPE)&#44; is a brand new event for the heating and plumbing industry designed to provide an invaluable platform to present latest technologies and innovations to the heating and plumbing community.]]></description>
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     <title>16/01/2008 17:24:53 - Hot &amp; Cold Jan 2008 Uploaded</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=219</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Hot & Cold Jan 2008 has been uploaded to the members area. Please visit now.]]></description>
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     <title>11/01/2008 07:26:20 - RHIANNA HARDIE INQUEST GUIDANCE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=218</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC have issued comprehensive guidance for consumers following Coroner Michael Rose&#39;s comments in Taunton yesterday. For a full list of Plumbing Companies who can advise you and inspect your hot water system please visit our find a plumber section below or call 02476 472503.]]></description>
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     <title>09/01/2008 09:51:10 - SECTOR SKILLS AGREEMENT IN FINAL STAGES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=217</link>
     <description><![CDATA[SummitSkills&#44; the sector skills council for the building services sector is reaching the final stages of Stage 3 of its Gap Analysis and Market Testing.]]></description>
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     <title>18/12/2007 23:44:29 - MAJOR CONSULTATION ANNOUNCED</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=216</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Much as the Board and Management of the Association have tried to prevent it&#44; the sad fact is that Regional and Local Associations are failing. Now the Association is asking members to consider a range of ideas for the Regional and Local Associations - and to suggest their own ideas if they feel strongly about it.]]></description>
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     <title>15/11/2007 11:02:41 - APHC Updates Web site</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=215</link>
     <description><![CDATA[On Tuesday the 20th of November to Midday Wednesday the 21st, APHC's members area and notification system will be off-line. This is to allow improvements to the membership logo system to take place.]]></description>
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     <title>16/10/2007 09:25:59 - APHC WARNS ON HIGH RISK FITTINGS WITH HOSES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=214</link>
     <description><![CDATA[With the ever-growing fashion for hose attachments and the ever-increasing enforcement of Water Regulations&#44; APHC is warning plumbers about the serious health consequences of getting this type of installation wrong.]]></description>
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     <title>28/09/2007 12:53:55 - CORGI&#39;S NEW REGISTRATION SYSTEM COULD LEGITIMISE BLACK ECONOMY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=213</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Chief Executive of the Association of Plumbing &amp; Heating Contractors (APHC) has heavily criticised CORGIs new registration system for &#8364;&#732;private jobs]]></description>
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     <title>19/09/2007 11:17:13 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE CRITICAL OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES AS PLUMBERS FLOUT LAW</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=212</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Meeting the demands of Building Regulations is the law. But it is a law that is still being flouted. While he accepts that employers should be showing leadership to ensure all Building Regulations are met&#44; Clive Dickin&#44; APHCs Chief Executive&#44; believes much of the blame lies at the door of local authorities building control departments.]]></description>
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     <title>17/09/2007 16:10:10 - APHC;S DROP-IN CENTRE AT INTERBUILD</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=211</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Members and non-members alike are welcome in APHCs Drop-In Centre&#44; where free advice will be available on a range of industry issues. At a time when there is so much change&#44; especially relating to Building Regulations&#44; this is a brilliant opportunity to get all your questions answered in one place. All advice will be offered by APHC or one of its partner companies.]]></description>
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     <title>06/09/2007 10:14:07 - APHC PUTS ON FREE SEMINARS TO EASE BUILDING REGULATIONS CONFUSION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=210</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Concerned that many plumbing and heating engineers in the industry are breaking the law due to not being aware of the number of their jobs that fall under Building Regulations and therefore must be notified to Local Authority Building Control&#44; APHC is putting on free seminars to explain the situation.]]></description>
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     <title>28/08/2007 14:21:09 - RICS FACES MEMBER CHALLENGE TO LEGAL ACTION ON HIPS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=209</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors could be forced to call an EGM over its decision to launch a judicial review against the government over Hips&#44; after nearly 150 members have signed a petition calling for the immediate launch of Hips.]]></description>
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     <title>06/08/2007 12:31:55 - INFLUENTIAL PARLIAMENTARY GROUP BACKS INDUSTRY RETENTIONS CALL</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=208</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The All Party Parliamentary Building Services Engineering Group (APPBSEG) has added its voice to the construction industrys endorsement of the Olympic Delivery Authoritys (ODA) decision to remove retentions for first tier contractors]]></description>
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     <title>16/07/2007 12:28:16 - NEW SMOKING REGULATIONS COULD DAMAGE PLUMBING INDUSTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=207</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is warning plumbing and heating companies that they could face a risk of litigation following the introduction of new smoking legislation if their employees have to work in the homes of customers who smoke. APHC is also asking both employees and employers to take a common sense approach when dealing with customers who are smokers.]]></description>
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     <title>16/07/2007 10:57:11 - NEW APHC PRESIDENT INAUGURATED AT SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL EVENT</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=206</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Harry Pooley has been inaugurated as President of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). He succeeds Glen Evans and can expect a hectic year of events and engagements. Harry comments:]]></description>
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     <title>04/04/2007 11:34:05 - SEC GROUP WELCOMES ENQUIRY INTO CONSTRUCTION</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=205</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group has given an enthusiastic welcome to the wide-ranging enquiry into the construction sector recently announced by the House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee.]]></description>
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     <title>04/04/2007 11:33:26 - Regional Advisory Group Meeting Cancellations</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=204</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, South East & South West RAG Meetings have been cancelled due to insufficient numbers.]]></description>
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     <title>04/04/2007 11:32:55 - CHANGES TO APHC&#39;S CPS SCHEME ENTRY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=203</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Following much valued feedback from members regarding the strict entry criteria to our CPS scheme we are now pleased to announce that this rule has been relaxed for the time being.]]></description>
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     <title>20/03/2007 11:53:34 - Prime Cost of Dayworks 2007</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=202</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The newly calculated Prime Cost of Dayworks and cost of labour calculation for the forthcoming financial year (from 6th April) is now available to download.]]></description>
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     <title>14/03/2007 14:53:01 - NEW DATES ANNOUNCED FOR APHC REGIONAL MEETINGS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=201</link>
     <description><![CDATA[New dates have been announced for this year&#39;s spring APHC Regional Meetings.]]></description>
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     <title>02/03/2007 09:23:04 - APHC INTRODUCES NEW SOLID FUEL HEATING COURSE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=200</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is nearing completion of its 2 day training and assessment programme designed to provide the essential skills and knowledge required to install and commission solid fuel appliances and heating systems fed by solid fuel in domestic properties.]]></description>
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     <title>02/03/2007 09:21:23 - RAG NOMINATIONS &amp; REGIONAL MEETINGS 2007</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=199</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Join us at the APHC Regional Meetings&#44; voice your opinions and let us assist your Company in making your voice heard.]]></description>
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     <title>02/03/2007 09:16:31 - WARNING! IMPENDING CHANGES TO THE SALES PROCESS OF HOMES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=198</link>
     <description><![CDATA[It has been brought to APHCs attention that rumours and urban myth are rife within the industry about changes which will require all plumbing and heating engineers to certificate their work.]]></description>
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     <title>23/02/2007 10:43:48 - MEETING OF SEC GROUP&#44; THE OLYMPIC DELIVERY AUTHORITY AND CLM</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=197</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The following is a file note of the meeting between SEC Group and the Olympic Delivery Authority and CLM (the Delivery Partner).  Some very important issues arise from the meeting.]]></description>
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     <title>23/02/2007 09:35:18 - THE PLUMBING &amp; HEATING WEEKEND 2007</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=196</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In a change to the calendar&#44; APHC is pleased to announce a major opportunity for you to relax&#44; enjoy a lovely weekend in picturesque Torquay and revel in new and exciting information that will improve your business.]]></description>
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     <title>06/02/2007 23:35:16 - TROUBLE AHEAD AS OVERSUPPLY HITS HOME</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=195</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is warning that the cool-down in the plumbing industry is reaching a critical stage. Read the full story in Hot &amp; Cold...&quot;]]></description>
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     <title>06/02/2007 23:30:29 - SEC GROUP CONTINUES TO PRESS FOR FAIR PLAY ON PAY</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=194</link>
     <description><![CDATA[In the last session of Parliament&#44; close to 200 Members of the House of Commons signed the Early Day Motion 1941 on &#8364;&#732;Improving payment practices in the construction industry.]]></description>
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     <title>02/02/2007 13:10:53 - Hot &amp; Cold Issue 18 Feb 2007</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=193</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Members will shortly receive Hot and Cold February via snail mail and it is available in the members area to down load.]]></description>
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     <title>02/02/2007 13:00:21 - CHOOSING THE WRONG PLUMBER COULD COST YOU THOUSANDS</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=192</link>
     <description><![CDATA[APHC is using the launch of its own new Competent Persons Scheme on 23 January to raise the wider issue. Few consumers realise that from 1 July 2007&#44; all homes being sold will be subject to a local search which will detail if works on plumbing and heating (and numerous other) systems have been approved by buildings control or correctly fitted by a Competent Persons Scheme-approved engineer.]]></description>
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     <title>02/02/2007 12:57:17 - APHC TO OFFER COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING NETWORK</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=191</link>
     <description><![CDATA[During 2007&#44; the Association will broaden its portfolio of courses available to the industry and training centres alike. Additionally&#44; the Association has also been certificating high quality training centres to be Approved Centres to run its current portfolio of seven courses. This is particularly important in light of the Associations new Competent Persons Scheme&#44; which will be launched on 23 January&#44; because the Scheme requires companies to have qualified supervisors with all the relevant general and regulations-specific plumbing qualifications.]]></description>
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     <title>21/08/2006 09:56:06 - THE APHC BUSINESS GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=190</link>
     <description><![CDATA[The APHC Business Guide including templates and forms is now available to download in the Members Only section.]]></description>
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     <title>15/08/2006 09:52:47 - APHC Good Business Guide downloadable forms</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=189</link>
     <description><![CDATA[All downloadable forms relating to the APHC Good Business Guide will be available from the 'Members Only' section of the web site from Monday 21st August 2006.]]></description>
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     <title>03/08/2006 09:47:46 - FULLY FUNDED NVQ TRAINING IN WALES</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=188</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Tri-solutions are looking for companies in Wales that may be interested in free NVQ training.]]></description>
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     <title>17/07/2006 09:40:07 - FAST TRACK PLUMBER TRAINING - BEWARE</title>
     <link>http://www.aphc.co.uk/news_article.asp?ID=187</link>
     <description><![CDATA[Plumbing industry organisations are receiving an increasing number of complaints from people who have paid large sums of money for fast track training to become plumbers only to discover that the training is inadequate.]]></description>
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