New Prime Minister vows to “value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap”
The government will offer 14 year-olds early access to technical education and training, as Andy Burnham announced a “fundamental change to the education system” this week.
Burnham revealed that Year 10 students would have the chance to combine core academic subjects with technical education, linked to jobs available in their area.
The government said it would work with regional mayors and local leaders to roll out the initiative, which is targeted to be implemented from September 2028.
I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.
My message to young people is this – whether you choose construction, coding or classics, or maths, manufacturing or mechanics, you’ll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve.
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
Meanwhile, the Construction Products Association (CPA) urged Burnham to “enable house building and construction demand, as well as focus on reducing cost burdens”.
The comments came as the CPA published its Summer construction output forecast, which saw growth downgraded due to the impacts of the Middle East conflict.
Private housing output is forecast to fall by -10% in 2026 – a downward revision from the -7% projection in the Spring forecast.
Private new home registrations fall again
New data from the NHBC has found that new home registrations have continued to fall in the second quarter of 2026, with private homes dropping by -5% against the equivalent period last year.
The warranty provider’s Q2 update revealed that 19,045 new private homes were registered over the period, with rental and affordable sector registrations remaining stable against Q2 2025.
Overall, registrations fell by -4% against the second quarter of last year.
Private completions rose slightly from 21,631 in Q2 2025 to 21,973 in Q2 2026.
Help to Buy Wales extended
The Welsh Government has extended its Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and Empty Homes Grant schemes until 31 March 2027, with the move expected to help up to 400 more households buy a new-build home and enable a further 300 empty properties to be brought back into use.
The Home Builders Federation welcomed the extension, saying Help to Buy Wales has supported around 15,000 home purchases since its launch, but warned that wider affordability and housing delivery challenges still need to be addressed.
Stamp duty seen as a barrier for over 65s
Research by the Family Building Society found that half of over-65s see stamp duty as a barrier to moving, prompting the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission to call for a stamp duty relief pilot for older homeowners to encourage “rightsizing” and help release up to 870,000 family homes back into the market.
The Commission also urged greater investment in specialist later-life housing, arguing that reducing financial and practical barriers to moving could improve wellbeing, ease pressure on the NHS and free up larger homes for families.
Developer and supply chain updates
Taylor Wimpey reported a solid first-half performance despite challenging market conditions, with revenue rising 1.7% to £1.68bn and completions of 4,723 homes exceeding guidance, although adjusted operating profit fell -19.4% to £129.7m and underlying pre-tax profit declined to £118.6m.
The housebuilder has reduced annual shareholder returns to reflect the prolonged market downturn and expects full-year completions to be in the lower half of its guidance range, while net cash reduced to £168.6m.
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Places for People has called for councils to use modular housing to tackle homelessness, arguing that redirecting part of England’s £2.8bn annual temporary accommodation bill into purpose-built homes could save hundreds of millions of pounds over time and help end rough sleeping.
The housing provider said its modular homes can be delivered within 12 months and, based on a project with Bristol City Council, could save local authorities up to £24,540 per household each year by reducing reliance on hotels and B&Bs.
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Forterra reported revenue fell -13.5% to £168.8m in the first half of 2026 and said it does not expect market conditions to improve during the remainder of the year.
Despite lower sales, pre-tax profit increased to £11.5m from £8.4m, supported by cost efficiency measures, modest price increases and strong demand for its extruded bricks and brick slip products.