Housing delivery to drop before improving – OBR
Housing delivery is set to fall to a low of 220,000 homes in 2026-27 before “rising sharply” by 2030-31, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Publishing its economic and fiscal outlook following the chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement today (March 3), the OBR stated that net additions to the UK housing stock were expected to drop from an average of 260,000 a year in the early 2020s “as recent subdued housing starts feed through”, before rising to “just over” 305,000 into the next decade, “reflecting the impact of planning reforms”.
Local authorities sitting on £9bn of developer contributions
Local authorities in England and Wales are sitting on more than £9 billion of developer contributions intended to fund essential local infrastructure such as schools, public transport and affordable housing. The findings come from a Freedom of Information (FOI) survey by the Home Builders Federation which also revealed that about £3 billion of the total has been held for more than five years.
Seize opportunities, say experts at HBF Future Talent Conference
Being open to opportunities is key to building a career in the housebuilding industry, according to Natalie Elphicke Ross, director of the Housing & Finance Institute. Speaking at the Home Builders Federation’s Future Talent Conference in Birmingham, Elphicke Ross told the audience of housebuilder graduates, trainees and degree apprentices about her wide-ranging career which “has been a series of adventures and opportunities which have taken me to collect my OBE and be elected to parliament”.
Govt to “crackdown” on unregulated construction products
The government has published the Construction Products Reform White Paper which – in what it calls “a crackdown on unregulated practices” - sets out that all products must be properly assessed before being used in the building process.
Govt scraps plans to delay 30 local elections
The government has reversed its decision to postpone 30 local elections in England, due to take place in May 2026. Following legal advice, housing secretary Steve Reed has written to council leaders to confirm that the local elections will go ahead. This follows the government's invite in December to 63 local authorities – set for reorganisation under the government’s plans - to make their cases for postponement.
Cameron Homes founder becomes chair of Tara Group
Ian Burns, founder of Cameron Homes, has been appointed chair of the housebuilder’s parent company, Tara Group. Burns takes over from Sir John Crabtree who departs the role after six years. Crabtree took on the chair position in 2020 following the death of Noel Sweeney, who founded Chasetown Civil Engineering in 1974, part of Tara Group which is owned by the Sweeney family. The group includes affordable housing and partnerships specialist Keon Homes. Crabtree remains a trustee of the group.
HBF launches next cohort of Women into Home Building
The industry’s Women into Home Building programme has launched its eighth cohort, with the latest intake offering building inspector placements with NHBC alongside its usual site management placements. Launched in 2023, the Home Builders Federation’s Women into Home Building initiative, in collaboration with national and regional home builders, offers fully funded site management placements. Women across the UK applying to the scheme gain first-hand experience of site management roles, as part of the industry’s drive to improve access to leadership careers in the sector and address underrepresentation of women in construction and site roles.
Housebuilder Product Awards 2026 – deadline extended
The deadline for submissions into the Housebuilder Product Awards 2026 has been extended to February 25. The Housebuilder Product Awards reward excellence for products and systems which aid new home development in the UK. Organised by Housebuilder Media, they are supported by HBF and NHBC, with judges from organisations including CPA, HBF, the Future Homes Hub and leading housebuilders.
Market challenges restrict SMEs’ ability to recruit apprentices – HBF
Most SMEs think apprenticeships are vital to addressing the skills shortage, but market constraints are inhibiting housebuilders’ ability to recruit and train them, according to the Home Builders Federation. As the industry marks National Apprenticeship Week (February 9-15), HBF’s research shows that 95% of SME housebuilders recognise the key role apprentices play in expanding the workforce. However, less than 16% of smaller businesses – representing around 80% of the construction industry – currently take on apprentices.
Gleeson’s half year profit drops
Gleeson’s profit fell 53% during its half year, with the business undertaking further restructuring but reporting an increase in homes built. During the six months ending December 31 2025, the housebuilder and strategic land specialist’s pre-tax profit fell from £3.6 million in H1 2024/25 to £1.7 million. Group revenue grew 9.6% to £173.1 million with 848 homes sold, up from the previous year’s 801. Group operating profit dropped 17.6% to £4.2 million.
