Starmer’s new towns plans blasted for ‘lacking vision’ September 20, 2025 The Lords’ Built Environment Committee has criticised the government’s current vision for new towns, calling for a clearer and more community-focused strategy. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer plans to build up to 12 new towns across the UK, with each settlement having the potential for at least 10,000 homes. Work on the towns is expected [...]
Housing in London now classed as unaffordable at every income level September 18, 2025 London housing has been officially classed as unaffordable for every income decile in a ‘pretty grim’ picture of the housing market. New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the average English home costs 7.9 times the average salary. If you live in London, conditions are far worse: Someone earning an average [...]
Reeves considering ‘staggered stamp duty payments’ to boost housing market September 18, 2025 A proposal to spread stamp duty payments across several years, in an effort to drive growth and boost the housing market, is among changes to property tax being considered by the Treasury ahead of Budget discussions with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Suggested reforms to stamp duty would allow house buyers to pay the [...]
City of London unveils £600m Justice Hub at Salisbury Square September 18, 2025 The City of London Corporation is topping out the new flagship building, dubbed London’s new ‘Justice Quarter’, which features 18 courtrooms at Salisbury Square. The City’s £600m investment, which will serve as the new headquarters for the City of London Police, aims to enhance capacity in the criminal justice system, resulting in faster outcomes for [...]
Stanhope and Cheyne buy ‘landmark’ South Bank office development September 17, 2025 Asset manager Stanhope and fund manager Cheyne have bought a ‘landmark’ office development on London’s South Bank with a gross development value of £450m. Construction on the already-demolished Row One site, which totals 250,000sq ft, is expected to start as soon as next year and be completed in 2028. Joe Binns, head of investment at Stanhope, called the acquisition [...]
Housing market ‘demonstrating remarkable resilience’ ahead of Autumn Budget September 17, 2025 House prices ticked up in July as Brits still showed a ‘good appetite’ for home ownership despite affordability challenges and uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget. Average house prices increased 2.7 per cent to £292,000 in England, two per cent to £209,000 in Wales, and 3.3 per cent to £192,000 in Scotland in the 12 [...]
Titanic Quarter sinks further into the red as losses mount September 17, 2025 Losses at a string of companies related to the landmark Titanic Quarter development in Belfast have widened during their latest financial years, new documents show. The companies, which are controlled by businessmen Dermot Desmond and Pat Doherty, are all involved in the development of the 161.5-acre site. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is home to more than 100 companies with [...]
‘Exhausting’ house buying process damaging the economy, says Santander September 17, 2025 The UK’s outdated house buying process and rate of failed transactions are costing the economy at least £1.5bn a year, one of Britain’s biggest high street banks has warned. According to a report from Santander UK, over half a million failed housing transactions are costing consumers £560m directly, with some costs, including the costs of [...]
Government warned that London housebuilding is on the edge of collapse September 15, 2025 Housing delivery in the capital is in a major crisis and urgent measures must be taken to prevent collapse, according to a new report. Lack of buyer support, as well as excessive bureaucracy and significant planning delays, are “strangling” attempted to deliver desperately-needed new homes, a Home Builders Federation report has found. Neil Jefferson, Chief [...]
Rents rise at slowest rate for four years, Zoopla warns September 12, 2025 Skyrocketing rents in the UK have given way to a steadier increase as the supply of homes rises and tenant demand falls, according to new figures. Average rents are 2.4 per cent higher than a year ago, the lowest annual rate in four years and less than half of that recorded 12 months ago, Zoopla [...]