Daily News: 29/05/2025
The Ombudsman calls for better maintenance and ending poor practices as complaints rose 474% since 2019. Despite £9bn spent on repairs, compensation was low. 1.5m children live in poor homes. The report urges respecting homes and focusing on residents’ needs. Housing Ombudsman Service
Sanctuary Housing reported strong 2024/25 results, with revenue up 8.7% to £1,179.3m and an 18% surplus increase to £48.6m. Meanwhile, Salford City Council approved a five-year housing strategy to improve homes across the city. Sanctuary Housing Association, TheBusinessDesk.com
A new study shows complaints about deadly mould in UK homes have surged by over a third, highlighting the worst-hit regions. Separately, a coroner has opened an inquest into a baby’s death in a Notting Hill Genesis-managed flat. LBC, Housing Today (register)
New home starts and completions in Northern Ireland are rising, says CIH NI, based on recent Department of Finance data. However, a £100m cut in social housing funding means only around 1,000 new social homes are expected this year, well below the need of over 2,000. Chartered Institute of Housing
Twenty firms have secured places on a £577m public estate maintenance framework led by Procurement Assist to deliver four years of cyclical maintenance services. Tower Hamlets Council is investing £3.17m to retrofit 122 of its least energy-efficient homes to cut energy bills and emissions. Meanwhile, McAleer & Rushe has started work on a £90m student accommodation project in Birmingham, delivering 836 beds for Greystar’s Student Roost brand. Construction Enquirer, Tower Hamlets London Borough, and Construction Enquirer
Costain Group secured a new four-year refinancing deal with a major lender, boosting confidence in its growth plans. HG Construction celebrated 25 years with higher profits, thanks to recent restructuring. Murphy’s pre-tax profit rose 25% to £84m, driven by efficiencies and a record £5.4bn order book. At the same time, cladding contractor English Architectural Glazing Ltd (EAG) filed for administration. Construction Wave, Construction Wave, Construction Enquirer, and Construction Enquirer
By March 2025, nearly 69,500 energy efficiency measures had been installed in 35,200 homes through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Additionally, the Home Upgrade Grant delivered 17,000 measures to 9,400 households, with April data still provisional. Meanwhile, the Energy Company Obligation has improved 2.5m properties with 4.2m measures installed. Since domestic buildings account for 13% of UK emissions, these retrofits are vital for reaching net zero goals. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has received almost 80,000 applications, with 97% for heat pumps. Furthermore, around 39m smart meters are now installed, 61% operating in smart mode. To further boost heat pump adoption, the government recently removed the one-metre planning rule near neighbouring properties. GOV.UK, GOV.UK, GOV.UK, GOV.UK, GOV.UK, GOV.UK and BBC
The UK government announced a “radical skills revolution” to create 120,000 new construction training positions, aiming to close the skills gap and support future infrastructure and net zero goals. PBC Today
Phase two of a 1,900-home Northampton development got approval for nearly 300 more homes. Calderdale approved Keepmoat’s £50m, 200-home plan in North Halifax. A 200-home proposal in Bolney faces local opposition. Cambridgeshire Live, TheBusinessDesk.com, and Sussex World