Daily News: 13/03/2026
Total construction output in Great Britain fell by 2.0% in the three months to January 2026, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly decline, with new work down 3.2% and repair and maintenance down 0.4%. Office for National Statistics
The UK government has announced a regulation reset backed by £100m to speed up planning approvals and fast-track delivery of homes, transport, and clean energy projects, aiming to support sustainable development and quicker project delivery. GOV.UK
Hundreds of empty homes in Shropshire have been brought back into use following a five-year project, with 375 properties revived in total, including 111 acquired by Telford & Wrekin Council to support vulnerable residents. In Doncaster, concerns have been raised after reports that around one in ten council homes do not meet the Decent Homes Standard, although 89.2% of properties managed by St Leger Homes of Doncaster meet the required standard at the end of Q3 2025/26. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council has approved a 10-year strategy to boost affordable housing, building on recent progress that delivered nearly 1,900 affordable homes between 2022 and 2025. BBC, Doncaster Free Press, and Leeds City Council
Construction to begin this summer follows approval for the Vistry Group and Riverside Group’s regeneration of the Juniper Crescent Estate in Chalk Farm, delivering nearly 480 new homes. The scheme has been backed by the Camden Council committee. Construction Enquirer
The CCC states in its Supplementary Analysis of the Seventh Carbon Budget that the benefits of achieving net zero consistently outweigh the costs. The analysis estimates that for every £1 invested, there will be £2-£4 in benefits, with a decarbonised UK expected to deliver greater energy security, lower operating costs, and a halving of wasted energy. The Climate Change Committee
Social housing survey findings show that more than half of women working in the sector feel they must work harder than men to achieve the same opportunities, highlighting an ongoing gender gap in the industry. Separately, the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence reports broad sector support for Scotland’s proposed national housing agency, noting that key priorities now include clearly defining its scope, powers, and role to ensure it adds value and works effectively with local authorities and other public bodies. HQN, UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence
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