Daily News: 08/01/2026
Accent Housing has entered 2026 in a strong position after securing three major affordable housing contracts across Surrey, Milton Keynes and Wisbech, strengthening its pipeline and reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes in areas of acute housing need. Accent Housing
West Lancashire Council plans to increase its housing supply by buying over 50 occupied homes in Skelmersdale from a housing association, expanding council-owned housing in the borough. Meanwhile, Blaenau Gwent has been awarded up to £20m in UK government funding over the next decade, with councillors emphasising that the investment should benefit communities across the county borough. Liverpool World, South Wales Argus
Westminster City Council has launched its City Plan Partial Review, introducing a Retrofit First policy, strengthening affordable housing requirements, and identifying four new large development sites after three years of consultation. Westminster London Borough
The Affordable Homes Programme annual report 2024-25 confirms an £11.5bn budget for 2021-26, with £7.4bn allocated to Homes England outside London, £4bn to the Greater London Authority, and £100m for the First Homes scheme. Analysis by Housemark notes that value for money in social housing is increasingly shaped by safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term resilience. Meanwhile, the latest figures show Northern Ireland’s housing waiting list continuing to grow. GOV.UK, Housing Executive, and Belfast Live
Muse has been named the preferred development partner for Bristol Temple Quarter, set to lead one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration schemes, planning for 10,000 new homes. An £80m Penge housing scheme has advanced after switching to 100% social rent, unlocking additional GLA funding, with Clarion Housing Group and Hadley Property Group leading the redevelopment of the former Blenheim Shopping Centre. Meanwhile, Bricklane deployed £110m to expand its UK single-family rental portfolio by 340 new-build homes, and London pension funds were urged to invest more in affordable housing to unlock thousands of homes in the capital. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, UKREiiF, and Southwark News
Morris Homes has reduced its pre-tax losses while reporting higher completions and turnover, as it considers expanding into build-to-rent. Meanwhile, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited has removed loss-making projects to manage legacy risks, and Welsh contractor Andrew Scott anticipates a record-breaking year with previously delayed projects moving to site. Housing Today (register), Construction Wave, and Construction Enquirer
UK construction output fell at a slower rate in December, with companies experiencing another sharp downturn in activity and new work at the end of 2025. Separately, immigration raids and arrests on UK construction sites reached record levels in the first nine months of 2025, nearly tripling 2024 figures. S&P Global, Construction News (register)
Investigators for the government’s housing ministry reportedly used unauthorised undercover agents, including a false cover story, to gather intelligence on cladding compliance. Construction News (register)
Two major planning applications for nearly 1,000 homes at One Horton Heath have been submitted to Eastleigh Borough Council, advancing the next phase of the development. Keepmoat is seeking approval for a 500-home scheme in Widnes after acquiring a 56-acre plot from Harworth. In Carlisle, plans have been lodged for 265 all-affordable homes off Brisco Road, while Tunbridge Wells planning chiefs are set to decide on a controversial 184-home scheme on the grounds of Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club. Daily Echo, Place North West, News & Star, and Kent Live