FHH launches Water Smart Growth Board
The Future Homes Hub has launched a Water Smart Growth Board (WSGB) to focus on better, more integrated water management to support the delivery of sustainable housing growth. The Hub’s new board will build on the work of Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC), a four-year Ofwat project, and addresses water as an increasing area of concern, recognising the need for collaborative solutions on water scarcity, infrastructure capacity challenges and climate‑related pressures.
Crest sees sales rate improvement
Crest Nicholson has reported a “sustainable improvement” in its sales rate since mid-January after seeing “weak” trading conditions in the second half of 2025. In a trading update, Crest said that during the ten-week period to March 20, Crest’s open market sales rate - excluding bulk - was 0.64 against the 0.61 of FY 2025. Guidance for its full year remains unchanged.
Bellway’s completions ahead of guidance
Bellway expects to build more homes than it originally anticipated during its current financial year, but it has also warned of an inflation risk from the Middle East conflict. Announcing its half year results, with completions rising 2.7% to 4,702 homes against H1 2025, the housebuilder said that it expected, in its full year ending July 31 2026, to be ahead of its previous guidance of completions between 9,300 and 9,500 homes, compared to the 8,749 of the previous year.
Housing secretary issues industry “call to arms” at HBF Policy Conference
Housing secretary Steve Reed has issued a "call to arms" for the industry to work with the government to "build, baby, build". Speaking at the Home Builders Federation's Policy Conference in London, Reed gave an overview of the measures the government had taken to lay the ground for the delivery of 1.5 million new homes, including planning reform, the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, financing through the new National Housing Bank and moves to simplify the buying process.
Future Homes Standard launched
The government has launched the long awaited Future Homes Standard today (March 24). The majority of new homes will now be expected to be fitted with solar panels on roofs as standard, covering an area equivalent to 40% of the home's ground floor space. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said they had "created a new functional requirement for the provision of renewable electricity generation".
Housebuilding one of most “AI-proof” industries – HBF/Pluto Finance
Artificial intelligence is set to increase the need for skilled labour across housebuilding according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), with its latest research showing that 70% of home building entrants are attracted to the sector as a “protected” industry. A new report from the HBF and Pluto Finance, Artificial Intelligence and Skills in the Home Building Industry, demonstrates the scale of the workforce challenge within the industry and that, “far from replacing jobs, artificial intelligence is set to increase the need for skilled labour across home building and its supply chain”, HBF said.
Govt consults on seven new towns
The government has reduced the number of proposed new towns from 12 to seven, while announcing that Homes England’s National Housing Bank will launch on April 1. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on the remaining proposed locations as part of its New Towns programme, which will see each proposed town delivering at least 10,000 homes “with several delivering 40,000 or more in the decades to come”.
Market conditions curb SMEs – HBF
Market conditions are reducing most SMEs’ appetite to start new sites, according to a new survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF). According to the HBF’s SME Sentiment Survey, 70% of respondents say current conditions are hampering their ability to begin schemes, “reflecting ongoing concerns about scheme viability, affordability and effective demand from homebuyers”. HBF said that while market pressures were impacting the entire industry, SMEs were particularly challenged with their smaller size making them less able to absorb market volatility, prolonged delays and rising costs.
Reeves announces £2.3bn fund for city-centre projects
The chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a £2.3 billion fund for city-centre projects and large-scale regeneration schemes, including housing. Up to £1.7 billion of the City Investment Funds, comprising new grant, loan and patient capital funding, will go to mayors in Northern city regions.
