Daily News: 28/01/2026
The government has announced a major new social and affordable housing package, boosting grant funding and introducing new financial flexibilities to help councils and housing associations accelerate housebuilding and deliver warmer, more secure homes for thousands of families. GOV.UK
The RSH has published ten regulatory judgements as part of its inspection and stability check programmes. Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council scored C1, Cheshire Peaks & Plains Housing Trust received C1/G1/V2, and Wolverhampton and St Albans Councils were rated C2 due to weaknesses in repairs and oversight. Most stability checks remained unchanged, except for Ocean Housing Group, which was downgraded to G2 governance. GOV.UK
More than 1,200 homes in Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire are set to transfer from Clarion Housing Association to bpha after contracts were exchanged, with the Bedford transfer expected to complete in March and Luton in May, subject to formal tenant consultation, while Wellhouse Housing Association has reported significant improvements in tenant satisfaction, based on a recent survey of 40% of residents. BPHA, Scottish Housing News
Birmingham City Council will switch contractors for its £3bn housing maintenance programme from July 2026, with Equans, Wates, and Mears handling repairs, planned maintenance, and improvements for 60,000 homes. Separately, Morgan Sindall won a £12m St Albans retrofit contract targeting net-zero by 2030, while Cardo Group continues its major repairs and maintenance work for 10,500 Dacorum homes. Construction Enquirer, Morgan Sindall Property Services, and Cardo Group
Boulevard Construction has been appointed by London Green Ltd to deliver a 90-flat residential scheme in Waltham Forest, London. Construction Enquirer
Kensington and Chelsea Council has criticised its own housing delivery, citing poor contractor choices, lack of expertise, and “exceptional” economic conditions for delays and rising costs in its 600-home development plans. MyLondon
Facilities management specialist Mitie Group is set for strong turnover and profit growth, benefiting from record order book levels in the UK FM market, while Hertfordshire-based Munnelly Group reports stable financial results, highlighting its resilience and strategic discipline amid a challenging market. Construction Wave, The Construction Index
The Building Safety Regulator has become a standalone body, aiming to put residents at the centre of its work while driving higher standards and culture change across the built environment. In the 12 weeks to 23rd January 2026, the BSR determined 97 new build applications and received 99 new applications. GOV.UK, GOV.UK
The West Midlands Mayor has expressed confidence that investment in construction skills will help meet ambitious housebuilding targets, but construction materials suppliers warn that without a boost to housing demand, 2026 could be another challenging year for the industry. BBC, Construction Enquirer
The UK build-to-rent sector now has a total pipeline of over 298,787 homes, with 87% (259,492) being multi-family units and 13% (39,295) single-family homes. British Property Federation
Planning permission has been granted for 450 homes in a village, 192 homes in Hedge End, and 142 homes on the former UWS campus in Hamilton. Meanwhile, plans have been submitted for 420 homes near a Nottinghamshire rail yard, 170 homes in a North East Somerset village, and 125 homes in Tunbridge Wells. BBC, Daily Echo, Daily Record, BBC, Somerset Live, and Kent Live