Daily News: 05/01/2026
Growing numbers of people aged over 60 are facing homelessness as high private rents and a lack of social housing increasingly affect pensioners, charities have warned, highlighting that the housing crisis is now reaching the UK’s oldest generations. The Guardian
The number of unoccupied council houses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has fallen by 39% over the past five years, with the total dropping from 133 empty properties in 2020 to 81 by November 2025, according to the council. BBC
Thurrock Council has carried out more than 2,000 damp and mould treatments in its housing stock over the past year as part of preparations for new legal duties introduced under Awaab’s Law, according to the Local Democracy Reporter. Your Thurrock
A housing scheme on a former General Electric site in Warwickshire has been backed with £2.6m in funding to support the construction of more than 100 affordable homes, helping boost local housing supply. Insider Media
Henry Boot plc has confirmed the completion of its disposal of Henry Boot Construction Limited to PWS Construction Limited, with the deal finalised on 31 December 2025. Separately, housebuilding timber supplier Premier Forest Products has acquired engineered timber firm National Timber Systems, rescuing the business from administration and securing its future following the collapse of its former parent company. The Construction Index, Construction Enquirer
Torus Developments, part of the Liverpool City Region housing association Torus, has posted a second consecutive year of record revenues, reaching £140m after delivering almost 600 new homes. Modular specialist Reds10 is targeting £500m turnover, with the NHS hospital new build programme identified as a key driver for future growth. Meanwhile, Bedford-based contractor SDC Holdings has increased its pre-tax profit by a third to £7m despite falling turnover, and civils and groundworks firm Applebridge Construction has reported a significant surge in both turnover and profits. Liverpool Business News, Construction Enquirer, Construction News (register), and Construction Enquirer
In Oldham, a masterplan for around 1,500 homes and a new Metrolink stop is progressing to support regeneration, while more than 900 people have opposed an 800-home scheme on farmland near Slough. Elsewhere, the Duchy of Cornwall is seeking approval for over 600 homes with community facilities in Somerset, preparatory works have begun for a 265-home military housing scheme in Carterton, and final plans have been revealed for a debated 150-home estate in Bedworth. The Oldham Times, Slough Observer, Somerset Live, Oxford Mail, and Coventry Live