Daily News: 26/01/2026
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its ‘A’ long-term credit rating on East Midlands Housing Group Ltd (EMH) with a stable outlook and revised the outlook on Plymouth Community Homes Ltd (PCH) to stable from positive while affirming its ‘A+’ rating. S&P Global, S&P Global
External auditors have warned that Spelthorne Borough Council’s finances will not be fully resolved before its merger into the new West Surrey Council, with key financial issues set to transfer to the incoming authority. BBC
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has received a £55m cash injection as part of its ongoing “complex improvement plan”, while Edinburgh Council faces criticism for leaving £60m earmarked for housing unspent this year, described by an opposition councillor as “scandalous”. Manchester Evening News, Edinburgh Live
Huntingdonshire District Council has launched an empty homes plan to increase housing stock, noting that 1,292 properties were vacant in September, with 491 unused for more than six months. BBC
Uttlesford Council will bring its housing repair and maintenance services in-house, ending the existing contract early to improve service standards and tenant experience. Dunmow Broadcast
Costain has exceeded its 4.5% margin target following a strong year of trading. Meanwhile, Forterra reported revenue of £386m but remains cautious on future market demand, and Van Elle saw revenue jump 16%, benefiting from the UK power grid upgrade boom. Construction Enquirer, Construction Wave, and Construction Enquirer
Glasgow’s Charing Cross Gateway demolition marks the first stage of a £250m city centre regeneration set to deliver 450 homes, office space, and 750 student flats next to the station. Construction Enquirer
The botched Tory Energy Company Obligation (ECO) insulation programme, which left homeowners facing costly repairs, casts a shadow over Labour’s £15bn Warm Homes Plan, with experts warning it may prioritise green energy over proper insulation. The Guardian
A coalition of trade bodies and unions has urged the government to ensure subcontractors meet the same competence and training standards as tier-one firms on public contracts, aiming to tackle the low-pricing culture in construction. Construction News (register)
Construction tender prices in the UK are expected to rise by up to 5% in 2026, raising concerns over the viability and costs of major infrastructure projects. The Construction Index
Housebuilding in London’s private sector has fallen 84% since 2015, despite the capital requiring 88,000 new homes each year to meet demand. Meanwhile, the UK Build to Rent (BTR) sector continues to attract significant investment, with nearly £2.7bn poured in during Q4 2025 alone, highlighting growing interest in purpose-built rental accommodation. BBC, Savills
Plans for up to 540 homes on Surrey farmland between Grove Heath North villages, 205 homes on the edge of Warminster, 180 homes in Sandbach despite resident objections, 150 homes on green belt land in Shirley, Solihull, 116 homes in Chadwell St Mary with public open space, and 112 homes in Helsby. Sussex Live, Gazette & Herald, Cheshire Live, Birmingham Live, Your Thurrock, and Cheshire Live