Daily News: 11/06/2025
Spending Review 2025 outlines £39bn for a new 10-year Affordable Homes Programme as part of the Plan for Change, aiming to deliver 1.5m homes and boost growth. Meanwhile, the latest report, Unblocking the Housing Ecosystem, outlines nine major challenges to delivering 1.5m new homes by the end of the Parliament. GOV.UK, Radix Big Tent
From January 1, 2026, Pobl Group and Linc Cymru will rebrand as Codi Group, reflecting a renewed vision following their 2024 merger, focused on community needs and shared ambition. Pobl Group
Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme is delivering strong results, with a new report highlighting its impact on building homes and improving lives, alongside future plans for continued growth. Leeds City Council
Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) is launching a £120m framework for construction materials and managed services, now entering early market engagement. At the same time, Sussex-based modular builder Boutique Modern has secured its largest contract yet for a major development in Eastbourne. In Northumberland, the local council has approved more than £3.3m to carry out roof replacements on 424 council homes. Construction News (register), The Construction Index, and Chronicle Live
Consulting giant WSP has agreed to acquire London-listed rival Ricardo for £281m. Simultaneously, TClarke topped the M&E contractor rankings thanks to strong revenue driven by data centre work. In manufacturing, Ibstock, holding 40% of the UK brick market, has resumed production at some factories amid market recovery. Lastly, a £120m former Tolent scheme in Durham faces delays due to safety paint issues. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, Business Live, and Construction News (register)
UK builders are gearing up for a post-pandemic boom, increasing production and investment despite global economic challenges, boosted by Labour’s pledge to build 1.5m new homes. The Guardian
The report highlights a shortage of skilled retrofit workers for upgrading 19m homes by 2050 and proposes a 10-year strategy uniting government, industry, training providers, and local leaders to build this workforce. National Retrofit Hub
A new study reveals that London planning authorities are biased, approving large housing developments more often than smaller ones. The Construction Index
Nearly 2,000 North London residents have objected to plans for an 855-home development in North Finchley. Concurrently, plans for over 450 homes in Nottinghamshire look set for approval. In Sutton, JRL Group and Halcyon Development Partners plan to convert a vacant 12-storey office into a 359-unit co-living scheme. Additionally, a 20.7-acre site on Newbold Verdon’s edge in Leicestershire is set for 200 new homes. MyLondon, BBC, Construction Enquirer, and East Midlands Business Link