NHBC figures show improvement against last year
Latest statistics from the NHBC have revealed that UK private sector registrations rose 9% in the third quarter of 2025 when compared to the same period last year.
Registrations for new private homes came to 20,996 in Q3, with a 6% increase in registrations for rental and affordable homes in the same period, at 9,647 homes.
Total registrations to Q3 rose by 8% from last year, representing the third consecutive quarter improvement.
However, new home completions were down by -6% during Q3 2025 when compared to 2024, at 26,427 new homes.
Persistent affordability constraints mean home ownership remains out of reach for many. Both prospective buyers and builders will be watching the upcoming Budget closely for measures that could make homes more affordable and stimulate activity in the private sale market.
Daniel Pearce, Corporate Strategy Director, NHBC
Construction output rises marginally
Total construction output in Great Britain grew by 0.2% in September, according to latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.
The rise – which represents a 0.1% increase in the third quarter of 2025 – was driven by repair and maintenance, whilst new work decreased by -0.2%.
Meanwhile, latest Government figures have shown that construction employment has slumped to its lowest level since 2000.
The construction workforce fell by -1.3% in the third quarter to 2.05 million; a -15% collapse since the pre-Covid peak of 2.58 million.
A combination of the housing downturn, weak commercial work and higher employer costs have contributed to the decline, with numbers of directly employed staff now falling faster than the self-employed.
Six mayors awarded share of Affordable Homes budget
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that six mayors outside London will have control of £7bn of the Government’s Social and Affordable Homes programme, which totals £39bn.
The indicative spend for the Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities, subject to suitable bids, include:
- Greater Manchester: £1.8 billion
- West Midlands: £1.7 billion
- North East: £1.1 billion
- West Yorkshire: £1 billion
- Liverpool City Region: £700 million
- South Yorkshire: £700 million
Developer and supply chain updates
Persimmon reported firmer trading since July, with its private sales rate edging up to 0.63 per outlet per week and forward sales rising 15% to £2.09bn, despite ongoing market uncertainty ahead of the Budget.
The housebuilder reaffirmed its guidance for 11,293 completions and £429m underlying pre-tax profit, supported by higher outlet numbers, modestly stronger pricing and continued progress in land and planning activity. It said investment in its platform, expanded product range and new shared-equity offers position the business for sustained medium-term growth.
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Taylor Wimpey reported softer trading in the second half as Budget-related uncertainty weighed on buyer sentiment, with its private sales rate easing to 0.63 per outlet per week and the order book slipping to £2,116m.
Despite this, the company reaffirmed expectations for 10,400–10,800 completions and around £424m of operating profit in 2025, supported by stable pricing, controlled build cost inflation and a broadly steady outlet base.
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Marshalls said full-year expectations remain unchanged, with revenue for the first 10 months of the year edging up 2% to £548m as growth in building products and roofing offset flat landscaping sales.
The firm said landscaping’s stable performance reflects improving trends and market share gains, and it continues to expect adjusted pre-tax profit of £42m–£46m for 2025. Full-year results will be published in March.
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Forterra reported a 16% rise in year-to-date revenue to £336m, driven by stronger demand from the new-build housing market.
The company has completed the closures of its Bison Bespoke and Formpave operations at a cost of £4m and is close to finishing its new Wilnecote factory, which will begin producing bricks before year end. Forterra said the facility will expand its premium product range ahead of full-year results next spring.
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