Daily News: 04/02/2026
NatWest has set a £10bn funding target for the UK social housing sector to be delivered by the end of 2028, having already provided over £25bn in commercial loans and capital market support between 2018 and 2025. NatWest Group
The Welsh Government has announced over £60m in funding to boost housing delivery across Wales, with Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant confirming the investment aims to increase supply and support communities nationwide. Welsh Government
Tenant satisfaction is rising across Lambeth Council, with council-managed homes seeing improved ratings over the past year amid ongoing service improvements. White Horse Housing Association also reported positive survey results, praising staff, service quality, and value for money. Winchester City Council acknowledged progress but noted further work is needed to boost tenant satisfaction. Lambeth London Borough, White Horse Housing Association Ltd, and Hampshire Chronicle
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will upgrade council homes on the Balmoral estate with ground source heat pumps to cut energy bills, supported by £3.47m from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and match funding from the Housing Revenue Account. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
Firms are on alert for the renewal of the government’s largest construction framework, with ProCure24 and major project tenders due next month. Meanwhile, the Northern Housing Consortium has appointed Acivico FM to its Active Fire Framework, providing members with pre-qualified fire safety expertise. Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove City Council faces criticism over a £19m temporary housing contract for homeless households. Construction Enquirer, FM Industry, and Brighton & Hove News
Developers and landowners-including Berkeley, Taylor Wimpey, Urban&Civic, Hallam Land, and Gallagher-back Milton Keynes’ plan as a next-generation UK new town, controlling land for around 40,000 homes with supporting infrastructure. Construction Enquirer
Build-to-rent giant Grainger has reported “strong” rental growth in line with expectations, with the UK’s largest listed residential landlord fully letting a 132-home scheme in London in less than four months. Housing Today (register)
Modern energy-efficient homes could cut household energy bills by around £420 a year and lower carbon emissions compared with older properties, according to the Home Builders Federation and Octopus Energy. Meanwhile, Currie & Brown forecast global construction costs will rise 2.4% in 2026, with the UK up 3.6%, amid ongoing economic and market uncertainty affecting project delivery. Home Builders Federation, PBC Today
1,600 homes near a Herefordshire town divides opinion, though a local shopkeeper supports it. A Shropshire developer proposes up to 300 homes on a town edge. Hallam Land seeks outline permission for 225 homes in Alton, sparking historic preservation concerns. 125 homes are planned north of Haywards Heath, Sussex, and a public consultation in Keynsham considers 110 homes (nearly half affordable). BBC, Shropshire Star, Alton Herald, The Argus, and Bristol Live