Daily News: 28/07/2025
BPHA’s 2024/25 Annual Report highlights £49m spent on existing homes (up from £39m), £64m on new homes (up from £60m), and growth to 20,156 homes owned or managed (up from 19,987). BPHA
Aster Group is investing £2.8m to upgrade over 200 homes in Hampshire, improving their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings from D and E to at least a C. Meanwhile, Portsmouth is pressing ahead with energy-saving upgrades to hundreds of homes despite a funding gap from the central government. Hampshire Chronicle, Portsmouth News
The Supported Housing Improvement Programme, aimed at improving poor-quality supported housing, received an extra £8m in May 2025, extending funding to March 2026 beyond its original £20m over three years. In parallel, Legal & General research shows 97% of defined contribution pension savers back investing their pensions in affordable housing, viewing it as a key social priority. GOV.UK, Legal & General Group
Ten contractors have secured places on EN:Procure’s new £30m Gen-4 lifts framework, which covers installation, refurbishment, servicing, and maintenance of lifts, stairlifts, and personal lifting equipment across residential, public, and commercial buildings. Efficiency North Group
Building materials supplier Marshalls has reported a dip in profits, attributing the decline to increased “value engineering” on construction projects, which has led to reduced demand for its higher-specification products. Construction News (register)
The CPA Summer Forecasts 2025 project a modest rise in UK construction output-1.9% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026, mirroring spring estimates but noting elevated economic risks. Simultaneously, the BMBI for May 2025 reported flat year-on-year value sales but a 2.1% increase in volume. The PHMI showed similar value stability (+0.1%) but a -5.9% volume drop in the same period. Construction Products Association, Builders Merchant Building Index, and Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index
The UK needs to install approximately 1.5m heat pumps annually by 2035 across owner-occupied homes, the rental sector, and social housing to meet its carbon reduction targets. UK Finance
Thousands of homes across England are being built without essential community infrastructure, leaving families without access to basic amenities such as playgrounds, schools, shops, and GP surgeries, according to councillors and campaigners. The Guardian
Plans for up to 1,250 homes near Barnham and nearly 250 controversial homes near Romsey were approved by civic chiefs. In Radlett, a scheme for up to 200 homes includes relocating a football club to allow development. Meanwhile, final plans for 138 homes in Stoke-on-Trent were deferred over bin collection disputes, sparking accusations of “penny-pinching.” The Argus, Hampshire Chronicle, Watford Observer, and StokeonTrentLive