Useful Links
BIFM is aware of many different services offered by associated organisations and they are listed here for information but they operate externally of the BIFM.
Government
Department for Communities and Local Government - works in seven policy areas: Cities and regions; Communities and neighbourhoods; Fire and resilience; Housing; Planning, building and the environment; Local government; Thames Gateway and the Olympics; Equalities.
Department for Education & Skills - The Department for Education and Skills now is called The Department for Children, Schools and Families leads work across Government to ensure that all children and young people:
- stay healthy and safe
- secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement
- enjoy their childhood
- make a positive contribution to society and the economy
- have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - Defra works for the essentials of life: water, food, air, land, people, animals and plants.
Environment Agency - We are the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. It’s our job to make sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today’s society, so that tomorrow’s generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world. 
HSE - Responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain .
Scottish Executive - The Scottish Executive is the devolved government for Scotland. It is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport.
Other useful links
APQC - A tool to assess performance in Accounting, Facilities Management, HR, and IT compared to best-in-class companies.
Barbour Index - Founded in 1957, Barbour is the best-known provider of information services to built environment professionals and those responsible for health and safety at work.
British Quality Foundation - In helping organisations improve their performance, the BQF endeavours to promote excellence whenever this can be confirmed by way of its recognition and awards programmes. 
The Building Centre - Providers of time saving resources and an authoritative reference service.
Constructing Excellence (CE) - Provides support to individuals, companies, organisations and supply chains in the construction industry seeking to improve the way they do business.
The Disability Discrimination Act – From 1st October 2004 the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 introduces new duties on those who provide services to the public such as retailers, leisure providers, health services and local authorities. The new duties will require them to make reasonable adjustments to the physical environment of their premises. 
Instititute of Administrative Management - Established in 1915, the
ITCBP IT Construction Best Practice (ITCBP) - Supports companies in the construction sector make better use of IT in their business and management practices. It is a service of the government-funded Construction Best Practice programme, shortly be combined within the Constructing Excellence initiative.
Knowledge-Counsel is a unique and diverse portfolio of independent consultants to facilities management covering the whole of the
MoD Oracle - Provides up to date news, as well as products & services information to the defence community.
NEBOSH - (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) - Constantly improving standards of health and safety training provision, through its expanding range of awards for managers, supervisors, specialists, and health and safety practitioners. Beyond the widely known National General Certificate and National Diploma, NEBOSH now has established awards in construction and in environmental management. NEBOSH is also currently piloting a new Diploma in Construction Safety and Health (Part 1), and a new International General Certificate. 
NHS Estates – Their objective is to improve patient care through better use of NHS estates and enhancing the patient environment by taking a responsive approach to providing healthcare services. 
The Planning Portal - Intended to be the first point of call for anyone who wants to find out about the planning system in England and Wales. It is aimed at everyone, from central government and local authorities to planning professionals and the lay person.
ResearchWorldwide.com - The Worldwide Commercial Real Estate Information Portal.
