Daily News: 03/03/2026
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has launched a £2bn investment fund to boost economic growth, unlock major developments, create thousands of jobs, and support housebuilding across the region. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has approved £75m of investment in community, retail, sports facilities, and new housing, while Broxtowe Borough Council plans to upgrade its council homes with over £53m. Brighton & Hove City Council has brought 264 empty private homes back into use since April 2025, whereas hundreds of council homes in Caerphilly may remain empty despite high demand. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Chad, Brighton & Hove City Council, and South Wales Argus
The National Housing Federation and G15 back a shared ownership staircasing mortgage model from Southern Housing, potentially unlocking £33bn for housing associations to deliver new homes and help more buyers increase their ownership stakes. Housing Today (register)
A report warns that in Wales, new-build homes alone can’t solve the housing crisis, with land, cost, and planning challenges making each social home “hard won” and thousands still in temporary or unsafe accommodation. Bevan Foundation
Bidding has opened for the £3bn third-generation Constructing West Midlands Framework, set to deliver major public sector projects across the West Midlands. Meanwhile, Campion Homes has secured a place on the City of Edinburgh Council New Build Housing Framework to deliver small-scale social housing across the capital. Construction Enquirer, Housing Digital
The Berkeley Group and Tower Hamlets Council agreed to accelerate 223 social rent homes with funding from the Greater London Authority. Clarion Housing Group appointed Galliford Try to deliver a £28m canal-side development of 126 social rent flats in Chester, while Hill Group secured a £45m contract for phase two of the High Path regeneration in Merton, delivering 147 homes. Separately, work has stalled on a 220-flat housing and retail development in Gainsborough. Tower Hamlets London Borough, The Construction Index, The Construction Index, and BBC
Persimmon is running its brick factory 24/7 to meet rising demand, with in-house materials increasingly preferred. Costain reported a record £7bn order book and a one-third rise in operating profit, despite lower transport revenues. Honey secured an extra £80m to fund expansion, including a third regional office. In London, Formation Design & Build posted margins near 8% through strong cost control, while Overbury reported significant revenue and profit growth in the commercial fit-out sector. Meanwhile, assets of Caldwell Construction are set for auction after administration. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, Insider Media, Construction News (register), Construction Wave, and Construction Wave
The NASC warns the construction industry could face a shortfall of up to 40,000 scaffolders, jeopardising major project delivery, with 56% of members already reporting at least one vacancy amid growing labour shortages. Construction News (register)
Outline plans for up to 209 homes between Syston and Thurmaston have been approved, while Cheshire East Council approved up to 120 homes near Congleton despite concerns over Jodrell Bank Observatory. Enfield Council plans land disposals at the 10,000-home Meridian Water scheme, and Manchester City Council proposes four residential towers in the Water Street area. Persimmon is preparing around 1,000 homes in Lancaster and 295 homes near Northampton. East Midlands Business Link, Cheshire Live, Housing Today (register), Housing Today (register), Place North West, and Northampton Chronicle