Consumer case launched against seven housebuilders
A £4.5 billion legal claim has been launched on behalf of more than 700,000 people against seven housebuilders, alleging anti-competitive conduct. Mark McLaren, co-founder and director of Class Representatives Network, represented by competition law firms Geradin Partners and Hausfeld, is bringing the case for the homeowners against Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group. They seek compensation for homeowners purchasing a new build home in Great Britain between October 2015 and June 24 2026. These buyers were allegedly impacted by information sharing, paying more for their new homes, they claimed.
Burnham to embark on biggest council housing drive since post-war period
Andy Burnham, the man widely expected to be prime minister in the next few weeks, has promised to embark on the biggest country-wide council housing programme since the post-war period.
New Barratt Redrow boss to start in September
Dean Banks, Barratt Redrow’s new group chief executive, will take up his role on September 21, the business announced today (June 26). Barratt Redrow named Banks, currently group chief executive of infrastructure services provider Ventia Pty, as David Thomas’ successor in March. Thomas, who has been group chief executive for 11 years and with Barratt Redrow for 17 years, will retire from the board as Banks begins his post. Banks also becomes executive director from September 21.
Berkeley seeks judicial review following refusal of Peckham scheme
Berkeley Group has applied for a judicial review of the Planning Inspectorate’s (PINS) decision to refuse planning permission for the regeneration of the Aylesham Centre in Peckham town centre, south east London. In May, PINS refused the housebuilder’s plans, including the redevelopment of a “rundown” shopping centre and more than 850 private and affordable homes, on heritage grounds. Today (June 26), Rob Perrins, Berkeley’s executive chair, said the decision was “clearly flawed and will undermine the government’s pro-homebuilding agenda unless it is swiftly quashed”.
Berkeley urges “decisive intervention” into London housing market
There is “no prospect of material improvement” in the London housing market unless the government shows “more decisive intervention”, Berkeley has warned. Reporting on its year end results, the housebuilder called for changes, including a reduction in the “excessive tax burden” and proper resourcing of regulators, including the Building Safety Regulator. Berkeley has paused buying new land as announced in April, pointing to "geopolitical events” and escalating taxes and costs. During the year ending April 30 2026, the company saw revenue drop 4.2 % year-on-year to £2.38 billion. Meanwhile, Berkeley completed 4,076 homes, slightly above 2025’s 4,047.
HBF’s Women into Home Building wins at Women in Housing Awards
The Home Builders Federation ‘s Women into Home Building programme has won an award at the Women in Housing and Housing Heroes Awards 2026. HBF claimed Career Development Initiative of the Year for its initiative at the Housing 2026 conference in Manchester. The annual awards recognise individuals, teams and organisations across the housing sector who have made a significant contribution to improving outcomes for customers and colleagues. They also celebrate innovation and best practice across the industry.
Industry reacts to PM resignation
The prime minister should be credited for his government’s ambition to increase housing supply, Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation said today, (June 22), as the industry reacted to the news of Keir Starmer’s resignation. Starmer’s announcement of his departure has triggered a leadership contest to determine his successor. He will remain in office until the contest is complete. Nominations open on July 9, with a new leader expected to be in place before parliament returns in September.
UK’s best site managers recognised by NHBC
NHBC has announced its 450 Pride in the Job 2026 Quality Award winners, chosen after thousands of inspections took place from a field of 7,500 sites. The 450 represent the top 6% of UK site managers.
Barratt Redrow appoints chief financial officer
Barratt Redrow has appointed Rebecca Napier as its chief financial officer. Napier, who will also become executive director of the housebuilder, will take her post from August 3. She is an experienced business leader across finance, strategy, investor relations, transformation and performance.
Seven in ten renters in “deposit trap” – Shared Voice/OwnHomes
Almost seven in ten renters are caught in a “deposit trap”, spending more than a third of their income on housing costs, with fewer than one in five expecting to save enough for a deposit within the next two years, according to research by Shared Voice and OwnHomes. But there is still a desire for people to own their own homes. The report, Renters' Reality: The Housing Attitudes of Non-Homeowners, finds that with rent and living costs consuming a growing share of household incomes, first-time buyers are struggling to build savings towards home ownership.
