Lovell Partnerships sees challenging economic conditions
Lovell Partnerships saw the effects of waning consumer confidence in its half year, with revenue and completions down and operating profit in line with last year. During the six months to June 30 2026, Lovell Partnerships’ operating profit remained the same as the equivalent period in 2025 at £13.2 million.
Devolution agenda moves to new PM office
The devolution agenda will now be part of prime minister Andy Burnham’s new office remit, with most of the strategy’s functions transferring from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Meanwhile, MHCLG has acquired equality responsibilities as the new PM restructures government departments. In a statement detailing “changes to the machinery of government”, Labour’s Baroness Smith of Basildon wrote that local economic growth and devolution would move to No 10 North, part of the new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which also includes No 10 and teams within the Cabinet Office.
Strong SME showing among Housebuilder Awards finalists
The finalists of The Housebuilder Awards 2026 have been announced with a wide variety of companies making the grade. Smaller housebuilders feature prominently, including the likes of Kingswood Homes, Bourne Homes, Chartway, Lucy Developments, Jigsaw, Beechcroft and Dorchester Living. Medium sized firms proliferate too, with finalists places for Thakeham, Croudace, Davidsons, Peabody, Latimer, Muse and Story among others.
Industry welcomes the return of Rayner
The industry has welcomed the return of Angela Rayner as housing secretary as part of new prime minister Andy Burnham’s revamped cabinet. Rayner becomes housing secretary again after resigning from the role and as deputy prime minister in September 2025. This followed news that she failed to pay enough stamp duty on a property she bought in Hove, East Sussex.
Rayner returns as housing secretary
Angela Rayner MP has returned to her former post of housing secretary, as part of new prime minister Andy Burnham’s cabinet. Rayner becomes housing secretary again after resigning from the role and as deputy prime minister in September 2025. This followed news that she failed to pay enough stamp duty on a property she bought in Hove, East Sussex.
Industry comments on new PM appointment
The industry has been reacting to Andy Burnham’s appointment as the UK’s new prime minister, welcoming his ascent to Number 10 and stating their housing hopes under his governance. Giving a brief speech today (July 20) after taking up his position, the new PM reiterated his plan to build more council homes. “That’s the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down,” Burnham said. He also revealed a plan to end rough sleeping. Paul Rickard, Pocket Living’s chief executive, said the new PM had “placed housing at the very heart of his domestic agenda”. He commented: “It is vital that his new administration not only continues with the planning reform agenda of the previous one but seriously gets to grips with the viability challenge currently strangling the housebuilding sector across the UK.” Rickard also urged Burnham “to be beyond bold” on addressing some of the other barriers to housing delivery.
Steve Reed no longer housing secretary
Steve Reed has been removed as housing secretary, following Andy Burnham’s appointment as the new prime minister earlier today (July 20). Reed became housing secretary in September 2025, after Angela Rayner resigned following controversy over failing to pay enough stamp duty on a property she bought in Hove, East Sussex.
HMI Conference to tackle challenges facing housebuilders
The Housing Market Intelligence Conference this autumn is set to tackle the key issues facing the industry in these difficult times, focusing on the challenges confronting both SMEs and bigger builders.
MHCLG announces next phase of local govt reorganisation
The government will streamline 134 councils into 38 unitary authorities, as part of the next phase of its local government reorganisation programme. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the restructuring would deliver “better, more efficient public services that reflect communities’ needs and freeing up funding to be invested back into local priorities”. Fourteen areas will be reorganised into one to four unitaries.
