Money to be given to affordable housing programmes
Seven housebuilders under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have agreed to pay a total of £100m to affordable housing programmes across the United Kingdom.
The seven developers – Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry – were under review after allegations that sensitive details had been exchanged between them, including pricing, the number of property viewings and incentives offered to buyers.
Under a set of proposed commitments to the CMA the housebuilders – who are not admitting any wrongdoing – will work with the Home Builders Federation and Homes for Scotland to develop industry-wide guidance on information sharing.
CMA have confirmed that, if the offer is accepted, it will mean that the CMA probe will conclude.
The CMA has not made any infringement finding against Taylor Wimpey or any of the housebuilders subject to investigation, and the voluntary commitments offered do not constitute an admission of any wrongdoing. Taylor Wimpey welcomes the CMA’s intention to conclude its investigation by accepting voluntary commitments. We will continue to work constructively with the CMA as they conclude the process.
Taylor Wimpey
Almost a third of women construction workers have been sexually assaulted at work
A survey by the Unite union has carried out a survey across all 19 sectors they represent, asking women whether they had experienced sexual harassment whilst at work, travelling to work, or from a colleague.
Almost a third (31%) of women working in the construction industry said they had been sexually assaulted, with 54% being inappropriately touched.
In addition, 17% had been a victim of sexual coercion at work; defined as when a person pressures, tricks, threatens or manipulates someone into engaging in sexual activity without genuine consent.
The survey, part of Unite’s Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harrassment campaign, also found that 65% of respondents had experienced unwanted flirting, gesturing or sexual remarks, and 70% had been the recipient of sexually offensive jokes.
Construction output falls in May
Official figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that construction output in Great Britain fell by -0.6% in May, following three consecutive months of growth.
The decrease came solely from a decline in repair and maintenance activity, whereas new work rose by 0.6%.
Similarly, over the three-month period from March to May, new work increased by 0.9%.
The news comes as statistics published by Homes England reveal that homes started for social rent, funded by the Government body, have risen 43% over the year to 5,680.
Total housing starts in the year – which runs to the 31 March – reached 38,308, representing an increase of 4.8% on the year before.
House prices hold steady in June
The latest house price index from the Halifax reflects a steady housing market, with 0.0% growth in June compared to a slight -0.3% dip in May.
The average property price is now £296,665, compared to £296,782 last month, with the annual rate of growth edging down to 2.5% from 2.6% in May.
Northern Ireland once again recorded the fastest pace of annual property price inflation in the UK, up by 9.6% over the year. Scotland recorded 4.9% and Wales 3.9% over the same period.
Meanwhile, house prices in the North West registered the highest growth in England, at 4.4%; the South West and London continue to see more subdued growth, with prices rising by just 0.5% and 0.6% respectively.
In other news…
Vistry has reported first-half profits in line with expectations, with adjusted operating profit expected to be around £125m.
The partnerships developer said that it expects affordable homes funding to “underpin a step-up in volumes with our affordable housing partners in H2 2025”.
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Barratt Redrow is committing to prioritise inclusive play spaces across its developments, working with children and young people to design play spaces that meet the needs of the local community.
It is anticipated that the commitment could deliver up to 100 new accessible and inclusive play spaces for parents and children to enjoy each year.
Housing View 