Taylor Wimpey: Higher demand buoys sales as firm preps for planning reform November 7, 2024 After a tough start to the year, Taylor Wimpey has reported signs of improving customer demand as mortgage rates fall and affordability pressures ease. The housebuilder said it remained on track to deliver UK volumes in line with previous guidance of 9,500 to 10,000 homes and operating profit consistent with current market expectations. In the [...]
Autumn Budget 2024: Reeves commits £5bn for Government housebuilding programme October 30, 2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has committed in the Budget to more than £5bn of investment over 2025-2026 to deliver the Government’s ambitious plans on housing next year. In the Budget, Reeves announced a range of measures to support Labour’s target, including skills training, reforms to the planning system and additional assistance for affordable housing. She also [...]
Construction sector surges thanks to interest rate cuts and planning reform October 4, 2024 "UK construction companies indicated a decisive improvement in output growth momentum during September," Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence said.
Forget the bangs and flashes, the UK economy just needs some plumbing September 24, 2024 The outlook for the UK economy doesn't have to be so bleak. We just need to get back to basics, writes Sam Bidwell.
New home approvals fall to lowest level in a decade as Labour promises planning overhaul September 19, 2024 In the year to June, approvals dropped 12 per cent to just over 230,000 units, the lowest figure for any 12-month period in the last decade.
MJ Gleeson: Planning setbacks hit profit September 18, 2024 Housebuilder MJ Gleeson has blamed planning setbacks in the UK for a decline in operating profit. Overall revenue at Gleeson rose by 5.2 per cent from £328.3m to £345.3m, although profit before tax fell by 21.3 per cent to £24.9m. The company – split into a land division and homebuilding division – said that Gleeson [...]
Berkeley: On track but government housing plans require a ‘change of attitude’ September 6, 2024 Housebuilder Berkeley is on track to deliver £525m of pre-tax profit for the full year, according to an update from the firm this morning. The business, which is based in Cobham, England, said 90 per cent of this profit has already been secured through exchanged sales contracts. Berkeley also said it is “fully committed” to [...]
Housing operator Mears ups guidance as Ministry of Defence extends contracts August 8, 2024 Affordable housing operator Mears has reported an “excellent” set of results driven by government social housing contract wins and high demand from immigration-related services. Mears, which manages 17,000 houses for local and central government, reported a 10 per cent rise in revenue for the six months ended June 30, to £580m up from £525.6m. Profit [...]
Persimmon: Builder ups guidance amid ‘positive momentum’ on planning reform August 8, 2024 Housebuilder Persimmon has said it would build 10,500 homes this year—at the top end of its guidance— and has outlined plans to boost construction next year as Labour’s planning reforms start to take shape. In its half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2024, Persimmon said it completed 4,445 new, up by [...]
Getting ‘everyone in the room’ won’t cut it, Labour must be ready to cause upset July 23, 2024 To govern as an ‘adult’, Labour must confront the hard decisions now and be ready to cause some controversy, writes James Nation.