Half of over 65s see stamp duty as “rightsizing” barrier – Radix Big Tent
Half of over-65s see stamp duty as a barrier to moving, according to research by the Family Building Society. The Family Building Society, a member of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission, also found in its survey of more than 1,800 over-65s that 58% were considering moving to a smaller property in the future. But as well as the stamp duty hurdle, 53% were put off due to a lack of suitable housing options. And 42% wanted more appropriate specialist facilities to enable moving. These findings coincide with a report by the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission, involving the Family Building Society and several cross-sector organisations calling for measures to aid “rightsizing”, with older people switching to homes more suited to their needs in later life.
Modular could ease temporary accommodation crisis – PfP
Modular homes could help the housing crisis and end rough sleeping, according to Places for People (PfP), with the social enterprise wishing to work with councils across England to ease the challenge and build on the modular work the business has already undertaken. According to PfP, some of England's £2.8 billion annual temporary accommodation bill could instead be used to deliver quality, purpose-built modular homes. This could save “hundreds of millions” long term and spare families “months or even years” in unsuitable emergency accommodation.
Govt announces technical education routes
The government will offer 14-year-olds early access to technical education and skills training including potentially in construction, as new prime minister Andy Burnham stated that Britain would “value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap”. Announcing a “fundamental change to the education system”, the government said that year 10 students would have the chance to combine core academic subjects with “high-quality technical education” linked to jobs available in their area.
Private home registrations down 5% in Q2 2026 – NHBC
New home registrations continued their downward trend in the second quarter of 2026, according to NHBC, with those for private homes falling 5% against the equivalent period last year. The new homes warranty and insurance provider’s latest statistics show that 19,045 new homes were registered in the private sector during Q2 2026. Meanwhile, registrations in the rental and affordable sector during the period were level with Q2 2025 at 10,117. Overall, registrations slipped 4%.
Housing minister steps in on 27-year-old local plan
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has intervened in Basildon Borough Council’s local plan which was last updated 27 years ago. Writing to the council, Pennycook has instructed it to submit an emerging plan by December 31 2026. He expressed his “serious concern” that the borough had opposed the standard method and objected to progressing a plan “that meets housing need in full”.
Govt consults on extending judicial reform to housing
The government could extend judicial reforms to housing, with a brief consultation underway until August 27. The Ministry of Justice has proposed that the reforms, introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act and currently applying to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), should also apply to major housing – including affordable homes – transport and energy developments.
Govt consultation on London CIL relief regs
The government has launched a consultation on regulations to implement time-limited relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to aid housebuilding in London. Following the government’s announcement of the Homes for London emergency package in October 2025, the consultation seeks to amend the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 to enact the change, providing borough-level CIL relief for qualifying developments across Greater London.
Private capital key element of affordable housing - Winckworth Sherwood
Private capital is now a key component of funding for affordable housing, according to Winckworth Sherwood. The law firm’s report, Rethinking the Affordable Housing Funding Machine, states that the UK’s affordable housing model is “undergoing the greatest structural financial shift in decades”, with private capital moving from a peripheral source of funding to a “central part” of how affordable homes get built, retrofitted and managed.
