Sector urges new Prime Minister to focus on growth
Key figures in the housebuilding industry have reacted to the resignation of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister earlier this week.
Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the Home Builders Federation, said in a statement: “The Prime Minister deserves credit for the ambition he and his Government have shown in seeking to increase housing supply, particularly through the positive engagement with industry and the planning reforms announced during his tenure.
“While those changes were welcome, increased taxes and policy costs on development, alongside a lack of support for buyers, have constrained house building and created an increasingly challenging environment for the industry that a new leader needs to address if we are to increase supply.”
Meanwhile, as reported in Housebuilder, Andy Hill – founder and Chief Executive of Hill Group – said that the next Prime Minister should focus on “creating the conditions for a stronger market by ensuring more homes are delivered and stimulating demand so that more people, particularly first-time buyers, can access and purchase new homes”.
Homes England completions published
Homes England delivered 42,433 new housing starts and 40,332 completions between 01 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, according to figures published this week.
The government’s homes and regeneration agency also revealed that 32,243 of the completed homes were affordable tenure; an increase of 14% on the previous year and represents 80% of all completions.
There is more to do, and we are clear about the challenges ahead. But I am proud of what the team has achieved this year and confident in our ability to continue delivering the homes that communities across England need.
Amy Rees, Chief Executive, Homes England
Developer and supply chain updates
Berkeley Group has warned there is “no prospect of material improvement” in the London housing market without stronger government intervention, as it paused land buying and called for lower taxes, better-funded regulators and full implementation of the Homes for London package.
The housebuilder reported revenue down 4.2% to £2.38bn and pre-tax profit down 14.7% to £451.4m for the year to April 30 2026, although results were in line with guidance and completions edged up to 4,076 homes.
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Dean Banks will become Group Chief Executive and Executive Director of Barratt Redrow on 21 September, succeeding David Thomas after his 11 years in the role.
Thomas will retire from the board when Banks takes up the position but will remain with the business until March 2027 to support a smooth leadership transition.
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Devonshire Homes has entered administration, with Sarah Collins and Jonathan Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe appointed as Joint Administrators. The housebuilder had turnover of £52m and employed 77 people, according to its latest accounts for the year to 30 September 2024.