Latest News

The latest news, features, comment and analysis of the UK housebuilding market covering policy, regulation, planning, technology, new developments and products

\"Scrap HIPs Brown\" - Spicerhaart

June 29, 2007

Spicerhaart\'s home information packs provision division, HIPs.co.uk, has called for Gordon Brown to extend his desire for change in the Labour party by scrapping its \"great embarrassment\" that is HIPs.

Further interest rate hike expected

June 29, 2007

The likelihood of a further interest rate rise taking the base rate to 6% appeared likely, as Bank of England governor Mervyn King warned ministers that inflation was still a problem.

House price growth slows in June - Hometrack

June 29, 2007

Latest housing market figures from Hometrack shows housing market growth slowing in June. According to the housing market intelligence business, the monthly rate of house price growth halved over June with average prices rising by +0.3% compared to +0.6% in May and a recent high of 0.8% in March 2007.

HBF welcomes move to give housing a voice in cabinet

June 29, 2007

The HBF has welcomed prime minister Gordon Brown\'s decision to give housing a voice in cabinet, as housing minister Yvette Cooper has been given a seat at the table.

Nationwide calls on chancellor to address affordability

June 29, 2007

Nationwide has called on the new chancellor of the exchequer, Alistair Darling, to address housing affordability as a key priority.

NHBC welcomes Hazel Blears\' communities appointment

June 28, 2007

NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi has welcomed news of Hazel Blears\' appointment as communities secretary and of Yvette Cooper\'s continuing role as housing minister.

Yvette Cooper keeps housing brief in cabinet reshuffle

June 28, 2007

Yvette Cooper has kept her brief as housing minister in Gordon Brown’s reshuffle, which will see her attend cabinet meetings. But although Cooper has been given a voice in cabinet, the housing post has not been officially elevated to cabinet-level by the new prime minister, as many in the industry had hoped.

Property professionals lobby Brown to resolve PGS plans

June 27, 2007

A coalition of property professionals has called on Gordon Brown to resolve planning gain supplement (PGS) proposals, the shadow of which still hangs over the industry.

Wimpey and Woodrow UK orders up as US business falters

June 27, 2007

UK order books at Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey are both up on last year as the two housebuilders gear up to merge, they announced today.

OFT to investigate the housebuilding industry

June 22, 2007

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched a \"market study\" of the UK housebuilding industry, looking at two key areas: customer satisfaction and housebuilding delivery.