Daily News: 15/01/2026
Social landlords in England spent a record £10bn on repairs and maintenance in 2025, up 13%, while also developing new homes, according to the Regulator of Social Housing’s 2025 Global Accounts, and the Regulator’s 2025 financial forecasts report also provides an overview of projected performance for large private registered providers. GOV.UK, GOV.UK
Housing supply in England reached an estimated 158,700 net additional homes between April 2025 and January 2026. GOV.UK
The Serious Fraud Office has launched a £300m bribery and fraud probe into Home REIT, following six arrests and searches at seven sites. GOV.UK
Manchester City Council reports its “best year yet”, progressing toward 10,000 social, council, and affordable homes by 2032. In contrast, Brighton faces a four-year high in temporary housing, with over 2,000 families rehoused monthly and costs set to rise £12m in 2026. TheBusinessDesk.com, BBC
Leeds City Council will upgrade 180 homes in Holbeck for warmth and energy efficiency, while Barking and Dagenham may face nearly £6m to retrofit fire safety systems on two council-backed developments, delaying occupancy and reducing rental income. BBC, BBC
Barnsley Council is rolling out a £4.8m retrofit scheme to upgrade energy efficiency and install low-carbon heating in 200+ homes. Test Valley Borough Council has appointed Stannah Lifts for six-site maintenance, and Norse Group won an eight-year joint venture with Calderdale Council for waste and recycling services from August 2026. LABM, FMJ, and Facilitate Magazine
Barratt London has acquired the former Homebase site at 100 Woodgate Drive, Streatham Vale, from Clarion and Hadley Property Group to deliver 237 new homes in Lambeth. Insider Media
Taylor Wimpey warns of “muted” demand, especially from first-time buyers, reflecting a cautious market echoed by Foxtons and Savills. Eric Wright boosts facilities management leadership and secures £30m funding. Creditors of collapsed Henry Construction Projects may get payouts if legal claims succeed, while Stoke-on-Trent’s Caldwell Construction seeks administrators, and the Considerate Constructors Scheme reports major losses. The Guardian, Construction Wave, Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, and Construction Enquirer
Northern Ireland’s construction sector outperformed the rest of the UK in 2025, with output rising 7.3% in the year to June, reaching a 15-year high. In contrast, total construction output in Great Britain fell 1.1% in the three months to November 2025, marking the largest quarterly decline since March 2023. Insider Media, Office for National Statistics
An independent January 2026 report by Lead Reviewer Paul Cackette reviewed five Scottish agencies, making 17 recommendations to speed up processes, reduce complexity, and improve shared planning and consenting goals. The Scottish Government
Outline plans for 5,500 homes at Wychavon Town have been validated, 600 homes near Whippendell Wood are recommended for approval, and Miller has revised South Tyneside College plans to 198 homes. Proposals include 250 homes in Oxshott, up to 150 in Embo, and 140 in a Gloucestershire market town. GOV.UK, Watford Observer, Place North West, Surrey Live, The Northern Times, and Gloucestershire Live