Labour’s New Towns policy attracts cynical response
While the government’s 12 new towns policy is eye-catching, Labour’s overall housing policy has left the state of the private building sector in a state of uncertainty. Tony Higson, managing…
Mortgage lending fell again in August
Mortgage lending dropped to £4.3 billion in August, the second monthly decline, indicating that the market has quietened throughout the year. Previously net lending stood at £4.5 billion in July,…
Average 2-year fixed rate mortgage finally drops below 5%
The average two-year mortgage rate is at a three-year low at 4.99%, the first time it’s dropped below 5% since Liz Truss’s mini-budget in September 2022, Moneyfacts research shows. Some…
New Towns locations unveiled by Labour
Some 12 towns have been identified for potential development following a report by the government’s New Towns Taskforce. The recommended locations span England, including areas in Cheshire East, East Devon,…
NHBC urges government to help train up more workers
An industry heavyweight will urge the government to replace the mantra “build, baby, build” with “skill, baby, skill” at the Labour Party Conference on Sunday. New housing secretary Steve Reed…
Labour to invest in underprivileged communities
Keir Starmer will provide more funding to councils in disadvantaged communities in a bid to revitalise the high street – and battle Reform UK in the process. Local groups will…
Government rakes in 22% more from stamp duty
Stamp duty receipts rose by 22% to £14.6 billion in the past 12 months, HMRC data shows. This represents an increase from £12bn last year, and reflects how investors now…
Major East London development unveiled
Some 573 homes have been made available after the second phase of a development in Goodmayes, East London, was completed by developer Fairview New Homes. The development is situated between…
Lack of bungalows hurting older buyers
Potential downsizers are becoming frustrated at the lack of bungalows to move into, research by HomeOwners Alliance shows. Some 38% of over-55 homeowners said they would prefer a bungalow for…
Social landlords urged to up their game on mould ahead of Awaab’s Law
There’s currently a skills gap where social housing providers are slow to prioritise damp and mould issues – and tend to clean it up with only temporary measures. That is…