CLES / Newstart

The results from this year’s local elections have started being announced and they have triggered calls for Rishi Sunak to change course.

This morning, Richard Holdman, the Conservative chair, admitted last nights local election announcements had been a ‘tough set’ for the party, which has suffered heavy losses including in the Blackpool South byelection with a 26-point swing to Labour.

When the results began pouring in at midnight, it was revealed the Conservatives lost more than 100 councillors, which has prompted industry experts to theorise that this election could be ‘one of the worst, if not the worst’ performance by the party in 40 years.

Counting is expected to continue into the long weekend, but so far, the Tories have lost 217 councillors across the country, compared with a labour gain of 91. 53 out of 107 councils have been accounted for.

This afternoon, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak finally broke his silence on the catastrophic vote swing after Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, called for a general election.

‘Obviously it’s disappointing to lose good, hard-working Conservative councillors and I’m grateful to them for all their service in local government, keeping council tax low and delivering services for local people,’ Sunak said. ‘But we have still got lots of results to come as well.’

However, it seems Sunak’s optimistic tone isn’t replicated within his party. Whilst speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns, said: ‘My stance always is the same, but I’m not sure that colleagues are going to be putting the letters in, so we’re working with what we’ve got. I think we shouldn’t have got rid of Boris in the first place, but we are where we are and it’s looking unlikely that MPs are going to put the letters in.’

Jenkyns added: ‘The last 24 hours, I think for Rishi, he’s got a message, he has been told by the electorate: wake up, be Conservative or we lose.’

Although, a survery of party members published by the ConservativeHome website suggested that 63% did not think Sunak should resign as party leader, regardless of what the final results were.

When it comes to the general election, Keir Starmer said: ‘This is a clear divide now. We have had 14 years of failure and decline. We just got chaos and division from the Tories.’

Image: Shutterstock 

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Raven Housing Trust have completed the first phase of construction on a new zero carbon development in Lewes, East Sussex.

Contractor and manufacturer, Boutique Modern, have laid the foundations and completed other preparatory works for the new development, which consists of 32 affordable one, two and three-bedroomed homes. The properties have been split into 18 maisonettes for affordable rent and a further 14 properties available for shared ownership.

The properties are also beneficial to the environment as well as people’s pockets. Raven is expected to fit each property with energy saving technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps to ensure they will have a zero-carbon footprint.

Against this backdrop, Raven is also using the latest modern methods of construction (MMC) from local, Newheaven-based company Boutique Modern, which factory-produces homes off-site. Workers will assemble the modules using cranes, then add roofs and building facades.

This approach reduces construction waste and the number of deliveries to site. As Boutique Modern’s factory is just 10 miles away, carbon emissions associated with transporting the homes will be kept to a minimum.

Commenting on the news, Ali Bennett, executive director of homes at Raven, said: ‘This latest development in Lewes is testament to Raven’s commitment to net zero carbon and sustainable development. With funding from Homes England and South Downs National Park Authority, this is a great example of partnership working to deliver much needed affordable homes.

‘By using Modern Methods of Construction, as well as integrating sustainable technologies such as solar panels, ground source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points into every property in our new Lewes development, we’re making great strides towards our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and setting a benchmark for future projects.’

 Ali added: ‘We’re delighted to announce completion of the first construction phase and look forward to fulfilling the aspirations of 32 families awaiting the opportunity to call Lewes home.’

Situated on the former Pells Church of England School site, Raven’s new Lewes development is due to be fully finished by Spring 2025 – the first two properties will be show homes and open for viewings this summer.

Image: Raven Housing Trust

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A string of new student accommodation projects have been given the go-ahead in Bristol. However, developers have asked councillors to delay their decision on the latest one.

At the beginning of last month, a 500-bed student accommodation block had been given the greenlight to start construction near Bristol city centre. Developers claimed the new flats were urgently needed as the city is one of the ‘most undersupplied markets in the UK for purpose-built student accommodation’.

However, a new project to build a 484-bed apartment block on an empty plot of land in Malago Road, Bedminster, has been put on the backburner. Councillors in Bristol were due to decide on whether to grant planning permission for the development, but Watkin Jones – the development organisation leading the plans – have asked to delay the decision and it is now expected to be made in June.

Should planning permission be granted, the plans include three buildings, the tallest with 10 storeys, and aim to improve the access to the nearby River Malago.

Ahead of the meeting, planning officers have recommended that the council’s planning committee approve permission for the new flats.

One of the concerns that has been raised about the development – identified in discussions at Bristol City Council – is the amount of noise created from a nearby railway line, which could affect residents opening windows during the spring/summer months.

To combat this, the developer says it is planning to install mechanical ventilation, which works similarly to air conditioning.

Currently, the site remains empty, although it was previously occupied by a car wash and a charity providing temporary housing for homeless people. Up until 2023 an engineering works and foundry operated there, but this was demolished in 2009.

Image: Nathan Riley

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Stephanie Feigenbaum, Project Manager at REdirect Consulting, talks all these property and technology – an unlikely relationship that could transform the housing sector. 

Industry leaders in the property sector view AI and automation as major gamechangers, with more than 79% looking to adopt this technology in the next three to five years. This is according to a survey conducted by the UK PropTech Association (UKPA), the British Property Federation (BPF) and supported by REdirect Consulting, leading real estate technology consultants.

As the sector still faces concerns about cost, problems related to integration of legacy tech and the general complexity of traditional ways of working, how will these new and innovative technologies reshape the UK property sector as it tries to overcome barriers to adoption?

Overcoming industry barriers

Despite the clear advantages of digitally transforming and implementing new technology across the property sector, there is still some push back. Results from the survey reveal that the most common barriers for concern are organisational resistance to change, cost implications and transparency when it comes to return on investment. For the sector to reach the next level, it needs to leverage the benefits of implementing PropTech and see it as an investment for the long-term that will filter down into almost every stage of the business.

Another factor that comes into play with digital adoption is the privacy and security concerns associated with implementation, including storing data and aiding GDPR compliancy. Alongside this, businesses may worry about vulnerability to cyber threats with the potential risk of customer data being leaked. Stories in the public eye that have risen to the top of the news agenda in recent years including the Royal Mail and Hackney Council ransomware attacks, provide further cause for concern and emphasise the need to prioritise security considerations. While these examples can have an impact on digital utilisation, partnering with a provider to ensure these considerations are front and centre prior to going live will ensure your organisation is robust and fully protected.

How AI and automation will reshape the property industry

There are numerous of areas that AI and technology can positively influence the wider property sector. From improving building performance, decision-making and carbon emissions profile, to speeding up transactions and engagement with customers, there are a plethora of advantages that PropTech can bring. Our report suggests that AI will have a profound impact on the industry and set the stage for significant advancements in data analysis, decision-making, and automation. This comes in the form of predictive maintenance where AI can be used to analyse data from building systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) to predict when maintenance will be needed and prevent sudden failure to equipment.

A common misconception is that artificial intelligence will replace employees and the human touch will be lost. But in fact, the technology has the power to not only streamline workflow and processes for property professionals but also give them more time to focus on the important details, interacting one-on-one with potential prospects – not bogged down in the admin and back-end processes. And according to Gitnux, AI has the potential to save the commercial real estate market an estimated 40% in time savings by automating tasks. 

AI, VR and smart IoT solutions

Almost six in ten respondents from the survey predict a profound impact from AI, setting the stage for significant advancements in data analysis, decision-making, and automation. In other areas, blockchain and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) are not perceived as overwhelmingly influential, but they are recognised for their ability to bring about notable changes and improvements. Whether it’s helping immerse potential buyers within a property before they put in an offer or reducing their carbon footprint from a decrease in travel, there are many benefits to utilising AR and VR.

Alongside AI there are other developing technologies within the smart buildings and internet of things (IoT) space. By implementing IoT technologies, low-cost wireless devices can be connected around properties to collect data to enable complete remote asset management monitoring to enhance operational efficiency. These devices can detect a broad range of issues within properties such as temperature, humidity, mould growth, Legionella bacterium and water ingress. This not only provides transparency and valuable insight for industry professionals but it also allows them to be proactive rather than reactive, directing resources where they are needed most. This means that potential problems can be escalated as soon as they arise and be quickly rectified. This can be particularly beneficial across the rental market where there is a duty of care to protect tenants from property defects including mould or damp that can be harmful if ingested.

Proactive monitoring for a more sustainable future

The property sector is already making great strides in addressing existing pain points with organisations reporting how the new technology is having a marked improvement in these areas. From enhancing ESG and sustainability goals to data management and operational performance of properties, survey respondents indicated the key improvements that the tech is offering. Utilisation of this monitoring technology can help the property sector meet its ESG and sustainability targets as energy usage within buildings can be monitored to ensure it is operating at peak efficiently, becoming more environmentally friendly while lowering costs for tenants and homeowners.  

It’s clear to see the big impact PropTech is having on the wider property market in helping to improve operational efficiency and enhancing ESG data collection. Revolutionising business processes using AI and other evolving technologies will become crucial for informing business decisions in the property sector for years to come. 

Images: Stephanie Feigenbaum, Markus Winkler and Alex Knight

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Zina Smith, Marketing and Communications Manager, Campbell Tickell, asks Maggie Rafalowicz, Director, Campbell Tickell, how for-profit organisations are helping to address social housing need. 

  How are for-profit registered providers (FPRPs) helping address the housing supply crisis?

Legislation to allow a class of for-profit registered providers in England was put in place in the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to help address housing supply problems. FPRPs now play an increasingly important role. Unlike traditional housing associations, they don’t have the same degree of challenges with existing properties, allowing them to focus on building good-quality new homes. They also bring different funding sources to the table.

It is estimated that FPRPs will own more than 40,000 homes by the end of 2024, with more than a quarter of these general needs. Some FPRPs are now among the biggest developers of social housing in the country.

While some FPRPs may be backed by short-term players, others, such as Legal & General Affordable Homes and Octopus (through their NewArch RP), are committed to long-term involvement in social housing. We are seeing increasing emphasis on the quality of property management, recognising that building homes is only part of the solution – properties and communities need to be effectively managed and residents need support.

Despite some nervousness about FPRPs, particularly from local authorities, we’re seeing a growing acceptance of their role. This is accompanied by an understanding from FPRPs of the importance of partnership working and a willingness to engage with councils long-term.

What are some of the challenges of collaboration between for-profit and traditional housing providers?

The primary challenge in promoting collaboration between for-profits and non-profits is recognising their shared purpose: to provide affordable social housing.

There is concern though among non-profit organisations about seeing profits going to shareholders, which necessitates clear understanding of what each entity aims to achieve. Finding common ground is critical, despite differences of approach.

Of course, the challenges for councils are by no means just about for-profit entities. There have been many examples where housing associations have not invested in certain areas because it didn’t align with their business plans, leaving local authorities facing difficulties in sourcing social housing and meeting local demand.

FPRPs can bring a new focus and opportunities to the table, but naturally each organisation will have its own priorities in terms of investment and return.

What were the takeaways from the joint event held by Campbell Tickell, Trowers & Hamlins, Devonshires and Social on for-profit providers last December?

This was the second year we have run an event focusing on the relationship between for-profit providers and non-profits. Initially the discussion was about the principle of joint working. At the second event, it was more about exploring joint working initiatives to find mutually beneficial opportunities.

Key takeaways included the importance of sustainability – particularly social housing’s contribution to the ‘S’ in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) for investors. Discussions revolved around how for-profit entities could contribute to sustainability efforts, such as retrofitting, decarbonisation, and ensuring the right homes are in the right places. At the same time, the role of new funding partnerships to improve existing homes was explored. Whether through direct funding or by helping free up the balance sheets of housing associations, partnerships could support retrofitting work and more cost-effective retrofit programmes.

How might motivations differ between for-profit registered providers and non-profits?

Obviously, motivations can differ between non-profits and for-profits. For many FPRPs, the focus might be for a steady, guaranteed income stream. This doesn’t invalidate their contributions to social housing – ultimately, it’s about providing a good-quality home and service.

Passion isn’t always synonymous with quality. Sometimes a less passionate entity can still deliver excellent service. The aim should be to provide quality homes and services and satisfy stakeholders, regardless of the profit orientation.

There’s a growing understanding of the important role FPRPs play in housing supply. There’s room for everyone in this sector, given the urgent necessity for diverse sources of funding and investment. As long as a good service is provided at a reasonable cost, the type of organisation becomes less significant.

What changes do you see in the registration process, compared to 10 years ago, when Campbell Tickell started registering for-profit entities?

The for-profit housing sector is becoming more professionalised. Previously the registration process was simpler, attracting those who may principally have viewed it as a viable business proposition. However, the landscape is changing. The registration criteria have become more stringent, and the sector is attracting a more diverse range of players. Some are drawn in by the ‘addictive nature’ of social housing – the ability to make a valuable contribution to society. And such individuals are found on the boards of FPRPs, contributing to a different, but effective, operational model.

Regulators, however, are treading cautiously. The profit-making aspect and different funding models have at times raised concerns. The sector’s dynamism is further amplified by the sales of some FPRPs to new owners. This makes regulators nervous, but can be beneficial if the new entity ensures it understands regulation and the sector’s ethos, and is committed to good service. This underscores the need for strict monitoring to ensure the sector’s integrity.

The for-profit housing sector is not just another market. It’s a space where good intentions and commitment to social housing should co-exist alongside profit-making motives. The sector, with its good governance and diverse players, is evolving, reflecting the complexities of the modern world.

What work is Campbell Tickell doing with for-profit providers?

There is considerable activity in the for-profit sector and our work with funds and FPRPs has grown markedly in response to demand. We have been offering support in various areas such as: new registrations; regulatory advice and preparation for in-depth assessments; helping form partnerships with councils, housing associations, and developers; and recruiting non-executives and senior executives.

Currently, we are developing a code of governance for FPRPs, similar to the National Housing Federation governance code that we also developed, but recognising the distinct nature of FPRPs, while demonstrating a commitment to high standards and good governance.

What conclusions can we draw about the for-profit sector space?

There is a significant role for the for-profit sector in the housing industry. In particular the importance of collaboration with local authorities and other housing associations to ensure the long-term maintenance and quality of homes.

There’s a need to invest more in building sustainable homes, which can reduce maintenance costs in the long run. As FPRPs grow, they will have increasing exposure to regulation and non-profit housing associations, and become progressively more integrated into the social housing sector.

This article was featured in the latest CT Brief – Issue 71. 

Image: Anthony Fomin

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According to data from the UK’s biggest building society, house prices fell last month as potential buyers continued to experience pressures on affordability.

Nationwide have released new figures that show house prices decreased by 0.4% in April compared to previous months. Currently, the average price of a home stands at £261,962 – some 4% below the peak experienced in summer 2022.

News of house prices falling has come after a string of lenders raised rates on new fixed mortgage deals after experts theorised the Bank of England will be slowly cutting interest rates. An example of this is Halifax, who has become the latest lender to announce higher rates, with a plan to put up the cost of its mortgage range by 0.2%.

Against this backdrop, it is estimated that around 1.6 million existing borrowers have relatively cheap fixed deals that will be expiring this year.

Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: ‘There are likely to be ups and downs in mortgage pricing in the weeks and months ahead but ultimately borrowers will have to get used to paying more for their mortgages as the days of rock-bottom rates have long gone.’

Experts who helped collected the Nationwide data have revealed that this is the second consecutive fall in monthly house prices. The figures are based on the building society’s own mortgage lending, which does not include buyers who purchase homes with cash or buy-to-let deals.

Year-on-year, research shows the pace of house price growth slowed from 1.6% in March to 0.6% in April.

As a result of sky-high mortgages, Nationwide have reported that first-time buyers have delayed their plans to purchase a property within the next five years.

Image: Paul Kapischka

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The Department for levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have revealed new powers for councils to buy cheaper land, however experts are questioning whether this was the right move.

Yesterday, 30th April 2024, the DLUHC announced new powers for local authorities that will allow them to buy land for development via the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) without paying inflated ‘hope value’ costs. This financial method estimates what land could be worth if it was developed on in the future, meaning councils were paying thousands to buy land for new homes.

The news has been welcomed with open arms as England has continuously fallen behind on targets to build more affordable properties. These particular establishments are also needed more than ever as the cost-of-living continues to bite.

A new report from the National Housing Federation discovered that by 2030, an extra 1.7 million households will be living in unaffordable homes and 600,000 additional households will be paying sky-high private rent costs, taking the total to 2.2 million.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: ‘Enabling local councils to buy cheaper land through CPOs without paying hope value will allow them to build more of the desperately needed affordable homes the country needs, in the right places, for the people who need it most.’

Jacob Young, parliamentary under-secretary of state for housing, has claimed the new rules will also help ‘drive much-needed regeneration in communities across the country.

He said: ‘We know we need to build more homes and alongside our long-term plan for housing, these changes will help us do that, unlocking more sites for affordable and social housing, as well as supporting jobs and growing the economy.’

However, Lawrence Turner, director at Boyer, has remarked that the plans seem almost too good to be true.

‘This may seem beneficial at first glance – giving local authorities the ability to overcome financial and viability barriers to delivering housing, but my concern is that it will be ineffective and time-consuming, CPO is a lengthy and costly process, and many local authorities will lack the resources to do so,’ Lawrence said. ‘The CPO process frequently involves negotiations with multiple landowners, legal challenges, and delays. Landowners may choose to challenge the decision through judicial review, further prolonging the process. As such, it is far from the quick and efficient means of unlocking land for new development which is needed.’

Lawrence added: ‘The wider planning system in the UK is excruciatingly slow and bureaucratic, with local plans and planning applications often taking years to complete and the intrinsic problems that have led to this situation must also be addressed.

‘We need to see a more holistic approach to addressing the housing crisis: including reforming the planning system and providing support to councils, reviewing the Green Belt and delivering new homes in sustainable brown and greenfield locations will be necessary to truly make a meaningful impact on the availability of affordable housing in the UK.’

Image: Shane McLendon

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Not for profit organisations in Telford were asked to submit applications last summer for a scheme which offers free materials and labour to help improve buildings and outdoor spaces.

Introduced last year, the Hands-on-Help scheme was launched by Telford & Wrekin Council, alongside development partners Nuplace, Wrekin Housing Group and Lovell, to assist not for profit and voluntary organisations with projects to improve run-down buildings and abandoned outdoor spaces.  

When it was launched, the initiative attracted applications from over 40 voluntary, community and not for profit companies. The successful applications were selected based on how much they would benefit local residents moving into a new mixed tenure housing development in Donnington Wood which is being brought forward by the partnership.

From the applications submitted, building partner, Lovell supplied the labour and materials to deliver the improvement work across four projects at Telford Sea Cadets, Donnington Wood Infant School, St Matthews Church and Donnignton Parish Council.

Building partner, Lovell supplied the labour and materials to deliver the improvement work across four projects at Telford Sea Cadets, Donnington Wood Infant School, St Matthews Church and Donnignton Parish Council.

Telford Sea Cadets benefited from painting and decorating work internally, including new kitchen flooring. As well as installation of new radiators.

At Donnington Wood Infant School new slabs were laid to the outdoor area of the school during the Easter holidays to improve accessibility for parents and children.

St Matthew’s Church have benefited from redecoration of the kitchen and toilet facilities and Donnington Parish Council received a new bespoke made to measure fire door as well as painting and decorating work throughout the building. 

Commenting on the news, Councillor Lee Carter (Lab) cabinet member for place, the economy and neighbourhood services said: ‘It is fantastic to be working in partnership with Nuplace, Lovell and The Wrekin Housing Group to bring forward this quality development in Donnington.

‘We work closely with developers to bring forward schemes like the Hands-on Help scheme because it’s not just about building new houses but it’s also about improving important local community facilities which will benefit residents living close to the new housing. We are very grateful to Lovell for the investment they have put into the four projects which have undoubtedly improved the community spaces we have here in the borough.’

In addition, Caroline Boddy, headteacher of the Infant School, said: ‘We are thrilled to have been chosen and with the work completed by Lovell, we now have a large, paved area which is fully accessible and can be used all year. This will make a big difference to our whole school community.’

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel

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People in England and Wales are preparing to vote in the next local election – the biggest test of electoral opinion before the main event hits at the beginning of 2025.

Local elections are due to start on Thursday 2nd May and, arguably, this year’s event has been the most anticipated. Most of the seats up for grabs were last fought in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 elections. During this period, Boris Johnson was riding high from a successful vaccine rollout which made it the Conservatives best local election performance since 2008.

However, in three years we have seen two Prime Ministers take over from Johnson’s role, the country spiral into a cost-of-living crisis, controversial new legislations passed regarding immigration and NHS wait times hit record-breaking highs. These are just a mere handful of examples which could have contributed to Rishi Sunak’s party trailing 20 points behind Labour in the polls. The Conservatives have also endured several damaging by-election defeats involving massive swings.

Before voting begins, here’s all the information you’ll need regarding the local elections 2024.

How to vote

Polls for the local elections are due to open at 7am and close at 10pm and there are three ways to cast your vote.

These include:

• In person at your local polling station
• Postal vote
• Appointing somebody else to vote on your behalf

To vote you must be aged 18 or over and registered at an address in the area you wish to vote in. In addition, rules that were introduced last year mean you must take a valid form of photographic ID with you – the accepted forms of ID can be found here.

Where are the elections happening?

Local elections are happening across 107 English councils, including 31 metropolitan boroughs, 18 unitary councils and 58 district councils. As well as people being able to vote for the party they want to dominate their area, the public will also be casting their verdict on 10 metro mayors across the country.

There are nine mayoral elections for combined authorities. These are happening in the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, North East, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, York and North Yorkshire.

Three of these mayoral posts in the North East, East Midlands and York and North Yorkshire are newly created and will be holding their inaugural election, which will use the first-past-the-post system that is used in general elections.

Moreover, Sadiq Khan – the current Mayor of London – is running for a third term and there will also be elections to the London Assembly with 25 seats available.

Overall in England, 2,636 seats are up for grabs – the smallest number recorded of any local electoral cycle. Likewise, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are also being elected across England and Wales, with 33 in the former and four in the latter. PCCs are vital to ensuring that local police officers are meeting the needs of community’s.  

How many seats are parties defending?

The Conservatives are guarding 985 seats, Labour 965, the Liberal Democrats 410, the Greens hold 107 seats, while independents have 112 and other parties the remaining 57.

As it stands, Labour has majority control in 45 of the 107 councils, the Conservatives control 18 and the Lib Dems 10.

When will the results come in?

In the morning on Friday 3rd May around 35 councils will declare their results – Broxbourne, a town located in Hertfordshire, will be the first to kick this off at around half past midnight.

Hartlepool, situated in the North East, will be next to follow at 1.30am, then Rochford at the same time and Sunderland at 1.50am, and Gosport and Newcastle-upon-Tyne at 2am.

By the time 6-7am rolls around, Lincoln, Southampton and Tameside will have announced their results and Winchester will follow at 8.30am.

At lunchtime on Friday, a further 48 councils will unveil their results with four mayors and 24 PCCs. Gloucester will be the last council to announce their results at 11pm.

However, it doesn’t stop there as the announcements trickle into the weekend. On Saturday, Liverpool, Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and London will declare who will be their next mayors.

Image: Elliott Stallion

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The sustainable properties are the latest advancement on Redrow’s Oakwood Fields development which offers more than 100 new homes.

The UK government and various independent housing developers are currently working to address the major housing shortage in the UK. The latest piece of news in this field comes in the form of over 100 new homes being built in Lowton, Greater Manchester. What’s more, is some of these homes are also sustainable, helping to address the climate emergency as well as the housing crisis.

Located on Bainbridge Avenue via Hesketh Meadow Lane, the Oakwood Fields development is comprised of a mix of three and four-bedroom properties, all from Redrow’s award winning Heritage Collection.

A selection of the properties are gas-free ‘Eco Electric’ homes which feature air source heat pumps, as well as underfloor heating to the ground floor in detached designs, reducing homeowners’ energy use.

Steve Jackson, sales director at Redrow Lancashire, said the properties energy efficiency rating will be ‘among the best of the new build market.’

‘Not only do our designs feature traditional Arts and Crafts inspired architecture and a high interior specification, but their energy efficiency ratings will also be among the best on the new build market,’ Steve said. ‘Research by the HBF suggests that houses build to the latest building regulations, Part L, can save home buyers 74% on their energy bills compared to the average second-hand home, which equates to around £216 per month.’

Against this backdrop, pockets of green space are also planned for around the development, with footpaths and cycle-paths connecting to open land to the North and East playing fields to the South.

One of the homes available is a three-bedroom detached Amberly which boasts a double-fronted design. When walking in, to the left is a kitchen and dining room and to the right a spacious lounge. A handy cloakroom and utility complete the downstairs accommodation, while upstairs there is a family bathroom and three double bedrooms – the main bedroom has its own en-suite. Prices currently start from £375,000.

Image: Redrow 

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Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira, corporate project manager at Manningham Housing Association (MHA), could receive the win at this years Housing Hero Awards in Manchester.

To say Carolina is deserving of winning the inspirational colleague of the year award at this year’s Housing Hero event is an understatement. Originally from Brazil, she joined MHA in 2019 as an administrative assistant to the executive team and was promoted to corporate project manager within just four years.

Within her role, Carolina specialises in recruitment, training, IT and communications. In addition, she has placed MHA at the forefront of digital innovation and become a national speaker on the subject, specialising in AI.

She also leads on equality, diversity and inclusion with her work paving the way for MHA to become the first housing association in the world to achieve the global Standard for Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management.

Commenting on the news of her nomination, Carolina claimed that this isn’t just about her efforts, but about everyone’s at MHA.

‘I am deeply honored to be nominated as an inspirational colleague of the year for the Housing Hero Awards 2024,’ Carolina said. ‘This nomination by Manningham Housing Association is not only a personal accolade but a testament to our collective efforts to dive positive change within the community.’

Carolina added: ‘I share this recognition with my exceptional team, as it mirrors our shared commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where inspiration and collaboration lead the way.’

In addition, Lee Bloomfield, chief executive of MHA, said there is no one more deserving of the win than Carolina as ‘she is incredibly modest and never acknowledges the enormous impact she makes.’

Lee declared: ‘Carolina’s achievement in being shortlisted for this prestigious national award provides the wider MHA family with the opportunity to celebrate her contribution and showcase her achievements to an audience far beyond our locality, whilst inspiring others to follow her selfless approach to success. 

‘Her dynamic work on behalf of the organisation, our tenants, stakeholders and fellow staff members is always fully focused on delivering positive results for them and never about gaining recognition or praise for herself.

‘We wish her every success at the awards ceremony.’

The Housing Hero Awards are taking place alongside the Women in Housing Awards on 24th June at Manchester Central as part of Housing 2024 – the leading event for the housing industry to meet professionals and celebrate those in the sector making a real difference. 

Images: MHA

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Safety concerns and anti-social behaviour are deterring parents from taking their children to play parks, new research has found.

Years ago, playgrounds used to be filled with the sounds of children’s laughter, ice cream vans and the squeaking of seesaws and swings. However, new research from leading playground equipment specialist ESP Play has revealed that this is no longer the case.

The study, which was published yesterday, found one in two UK children rarely or never visit the areas, with two out of five parents (44%) citing poor condition of the equipment as being the main reason for keeping their kids away.

Experts discovered safety concerns are the biggest barrier for more than a third (36%), while hygiene issues including excessive dog faeces is the top worry for more than a quarter (28%).

Shockingly, one in three children (32%) have suffered an accident or injury that their parents state was due to poor quality equipment.

Commenting on the findings, Andrew Wood, Managing Director of ESP Play, said: ‘We carried out this research to highlight how, as a nation, we are letting our children down by not giving them access to safe and enjoyable outdoor play spaces.

‘It’s alarming to discover HALF of all parents say that their children don’t go to a playground as well as the huge number of injuries from poor quality equipment.’

Four out of five people said that poor equipment, maintenance or safety concerns stopped their children from playing,’ Andrew said. ‘When playgrounds suffer from poor maintenance and safety hazards, we not only endanger children’s physical safety but also impede their social and emotional development.’

Andrew added: ‘Childhood is supposed to be fun and, by not giving our children the same opportunities we had, we risk damaging future generations.’

By contrast, within the study, 75% of parents said they played in parks at least once a week when they were their children’s age – 44% also revealed that their children play on their phones instead of going to the park, while 39% play video games instead of going outdoors.

These statistics are particularly concerning, as according to Professor Helen Dodd, child psychiatrist and trustee of Play England, claimed ‘Play is essential for a happy, healthy childhood.’

‘Having time and space to play gives children the opportunity to express themselves, to explore, to be physically active, to take risks and to have freedom to choose what they want to do,’ Professor Dodd said. ‘It is really important that children have access to good quality playgrounds.’

Currently, according to the findings, 49% of parents surveyed said they have witnessed drinking, smoking, or drug-taking happen in playgrounds, which puts them off wanting to take their children there.

In response to these findings, Andrew and 54% of parents are now calling on local authorities to be doing more to ensure playgrounds return to being a safe place for children to explore.

Images: Power Lai and ESP Play

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Leeds’ biggest borough town to receive ‘once-in-a-generation investment’

St Helens Borough Council have begun a once-in-a-lifetime regeneration project with the English Cities Fund. Lisa Harris, the council’s Director of Place Services, explains what makes this project different and why other council should follow suit.

The mission to revitalise any town centre so that it feels welcoming and inclusive, somewhere where people want to be, must always start with listening and engagement. We are all different and there is no-one sized fits all approach to regeneration. What may feel safe to a fifty-something man designing a series of new buildings and public places may seem much less inviting and secure to a younger or older person who walks by it on the way home.

This process goes beyond physical factors such as excluding dark corners and set-back spaces where somebody could step out in front of you. It starts and ends with understanding and addressing the experiences of diverse communities.

St Helens Borough Council is currently at the outset of a once-in-a-generation regeneration project with the English Cities Fund to restore the two town centres in our borough to their former glory – St Helens itself and neighbouring Earlestown. The principle of creating safe, inclusive spaces has driven our thinking and decision making from the earliest days. 

One of the fundamentals was to make sure we are asking the right questions at the outset – because perceptions vary and how people use the space will be different. We also looked for a breadth of views and sought out unheard voices. 

Over the past two years there have been two large scale engagement and consultation programmes where we presented ideas and asked for feedback, along with a series of pop-up events around the borough, a website where people could see the proposals and provide feedback, local media engagement and business briefings. This process also included going directly into schools and asking children of Generation Alpha, born after 2010, what they want from the town centre as, in many respects, we are investing, designing, and building in their name. The children’s requests included more green spaces, somewhere for flexible outdoor events, and better access to trains and buses. Making public areas feel safer was also singled out as a priority. 

Everybody wants ‘family-friendly’ town centres – clean, attractive places where there are good things going on – but that should not be considered a bland tick-box slogan. In truth, it means considering all members of the family, and addressing the reality that families are made up of mix of ages and genders, people who are physically, emotionally, spiritually, and neurologically different.

Feeling safe is a huge issue for women of any age in their day-to-day life. A national YouGov survey in 2022 found that women are most likely to say they feel unsafe walking alone home at night, including a quarter (26%) who say they ‘always’ feel unsafe doing so. Half of women (53%) regularly avoid being out at certain times to reduce the risk of encountering harassment or sexual assault.

The evidence suggests that urban design has too often overlooked the needs of women and girls and actually limited their movement – if they go out, they choose longer routes, avoiding certain areas due to feelings of unsafety and insecurity. As a collective, investors, developers, architects, designer, planners, and the civic leaders should not accept this status quo and we share a duty to learn from the shortcomings of the past.

A lot of work has already taken place in St Helens. In collaboration with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, we secured backing from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund to fund a series of projects designed to make women safer in the night-time economy.

Extra investment into CCTV is one practical and immediate response to the challenge and, from a policing perspective, there are also Secured By Design principles which provide guidance on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. These tools have real value and make a positive difference but there is also an obvious need to consider safety and inclusively more broadly.

Our starting point, like every other borough, is working every day to address societal challenges that cannot be fixed through design alone. Again, this begins with data and monitoring how safe residents feel across the borough as a whole. Our most recent survey, from December 2023 showed that 86% of residents said they felt safe in daylight hours in their local area; it dropped to 50% in the hours of darkness.

In terms of practical measures in the town centre, we have a series of measures focused on improving every aspect of the night time experience. We have a Night Time Economy Forum chaired by St Helens councillor Kate Groucutt. It brings together businesses to work collaboratively with police and council. We also work directly with night time economy businesses and have put in place taxi marshalls, improved lighting at taxi ranks, more joint enforcement and increased communications and marketing in the town centre. While there is always more to do, we have enjoyed some successes. Our nighttime campaign has produced a reduction in crime figures. Our borough has also been recognised by the Purple Flag Charter, which is similar to Green Flag for parks and focuses on raising standards and broadening the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm and 5am.

As a guiding principle, prevention is always better than cure and town centre renewal means thoughtfully considered environments and civic pride as much as we sometimes must have cameras, walls, lighting and fenced off areas.

On the fundamentals, the approach to lighting is improving. Lighting is one of the physical tools that can attract more people to a space, creating an increased feeling of safety through presence and activity. Today, designers know to produce lighting solutions that avoid bright floodlights that create pockets of darkness, glare, or shadows. Instead, they can opt for multi-layered lighting, with a combination of uplighting, wall mounted lighting and street lighting.

It follows that visibility in the wider sense of day and night can help reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour by ensuring clear sightlines, avoiding blind spots, and incorporating open spaces.

This works because, thankfully, there is still a strong feeling that, in a civil society, people can and will protect each other. People make places and when more of us are present, spaces become more liveable and are less likely to be perceived as unsafe. Being seen is key in every sense and links to another guiding principle of safer and inclusive towns: the importance of well-activated spaces. They need to remain busy and lively during evenings and weekends. This can be through art, music, food or providing meeting places.

Active spaces create a sense of shared ownership and responsibility among community members. Delivering that level of engagement from local people and visitors is about ensuring there are a mix of uses in town centres and adapting to the changes to shopping and working habits that, over the last two decades, have radically changed the High Street. Gone are the days when High Streets could be considered in limited functional terms: you go there to shop. Successful urban centre regeneration today calls for a much wider breadth of activity.

In St Helens we have opted for a blend of core elements – a new 25,000 sq ft Market Hall as the centrepiece of a transformational mixed-use area that includes a 120-bedroom globally branded hotel, 75,000 sq ft of office space, 64 new homes and 11,000 sq. ft. modern retail space in the initial phase. The new Market Hall will be a daytime and evening destination, with space for arts events and entertainment, and places to eat and drink. We will also be creating a new arrival experience in the town, based around a new bus station, green spaces, and clearer routes to help people get around town centre. The different elements can work together to create an atmosphere that people want to spend time in.

Civic pride is also very much part of the equation. For us, that meant avoiding the curse of Anytown UK. St Helens is very much an area with a distinct identity and the borough has a sense of itself as both a place of market towns, rural villages but also industrial innovation, with a long history as a pioneering centre of Railways, Coal mining and glassmaking, a tradition that continues to this day. It follows that the design of the new buildings and places needs to capture and not ignore this heritage.

As a result, each of the new buildings in our town centre transformation plans has drawn inspiration from St Helens’ past, with architectural glass, a key feature within the Market Hall. The designs for the facades of the new buildings reference the local architectural traditions in other ways, drawing inspiration from detail in existing heritage buildings.

The work to deliver all these changes is about to start, with the deconstruction of the parts of the town centre that are no longer fit for purpose this summer. The end game truly is about ‘building back better,’ the phrase we heard so much during the dark days of the pandemic, but which is driving real change now in our borough.

Images: Lisa Harris, Boukaih and Syed Ahmad

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Carter Jonas has been selected to act as planning consultants in the preparation of a planning application for a new herbarium building at the Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP).

Estimated to cost around £100m, the new facility will maintain Kew’s preserved plant collection of over 7m dried plant specimens for future generations.

In addition, the development, of which the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew selected Carter Jonas to lead, will provide extra space for new plants to grow.

As a world-class herbarium, the building will ensure the usability of the collections for biodiversity research and provide the flexibility to respond to future needs. The move to the TVSP site will additionally enable the redevelopment of the Kew Gardens site for improved and expanded research, education, and public engagement facilities, enhancing the global impact of RBG Kew’s work.

Likewise, the project will also keep in line with green targets. Kew have recently established a sustainability strategy, otherwise known as ‘Positive by 2030: urgently tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis’, which is based on a commitment to achieve or better the Royal Institute of British Architects 2030 challenge – a project created to help architects design more climate-friendly buildings to help reach net zero.

Commenting on the news, Nicky Brock, Partner, Planning and Development, Carter Jonas Oxford, said: ‘We are extremely pleased to have been appointed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to prepare this planning application. The new herbarium project will enable RBG Kew to continue its unparalleled work in botanical research and, importantly, increase accessibility to this wealth of knowledge. With the benefit of a comprehensive sustainability strategy, the new facility addresses significant global issues and we look forward to a positive resolution.’

Mark Rushworth, Project Director at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has also expressed his enthusiasm to begin working with Carter Jonas.

 ‘We are delighted to appoint Carter Jonas to join our project team to deliver our new Herbarium at Thames Valley Science Park in Reading, which is promoted by the University of Reading,’ Mark said. ‘The project is critical to support our mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on earth.  We are very much looking forward to joining the British Museum and the National History Museum who are also located at the site.’

It is anticipated that the planning application will be submitted in December 2024. In the meantime, Carter Jonas is working with the project team in the preparation of the application, liaising with the council officers and local stakeholders, and public and stakeholder consultation later in the year. It is hoped that planning consent will be granted in May 2025.

Image: Jaleel Akbash

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In relation to the Renters (Reform) Bill getting its third reading yesterday, charities, ministers and housing experts have voiced their opinions.

Oli Sherlock, Managing Director of Insurance, Goodlord:

‘The Renters (Reform) Bill involves much more than the abolition of Section 21 eviction notices. However, it was the main topic of conversation again in Parliament [yesterday]. Although it is imperative for the county courts to have the resources they need to cope with the upcoming changes, the lack of detail around when and how the money to pay for this will be provided is disappointing.’

Lauren Hughes, Director of Customer Success, Vouch:

‘The Renters (Reform) Bill does seem to be creaking towards the finish line, but [yesterday’s] debate showcased just how much uncertainty remains. Section 21 was much discussed, with a range of Tory MPs continuing to put pressure on Gove to water down the manifesto proposal to scrap no-fault evictions. And it appears that this strategy has been effective, with the Housing Minister admitting that the Section 21 an is unlikely to be in place before a General Election.’

 Matthew Pennycook, Labour’s shadow Housing Minister:

‘Instead of ministers having the courage to face down their unruly backbenchers, this weak and divided Conservative government is appeasing them at the expense of private renters who will see the rights and protections they were promised watered down.’

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, National Residential Landlords Association:

‘Tenants should be rightly empowered to hold rogue and criminal landlords to account to root out the minority who bring the sector into disrepute. However, it is vital that the majority of responsible landlords have confidence in the Bill to provide the homes for rent the country needs.

‘The amendments proposed by the government strike that balance.’

Polly Neate, Chief Executive, Shelter:

‘The government has led private renters down the garden path and dashed their best chance of a secure home. For every day the government has spent weaking [the Bill], at least 500 renters were slapped with a no-fault eviction notice.

‘With the spectre of homelessness never far away, renters will remain powerless to challenge dangerous conditions and unfair rent hikes.’

Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy, British Property Federation:

‘At a time when we need to increase investment in the supply of good quality private rented accommodation, one of the greatest obstacles to achieving that has been investor hesitancy caused by an uncertain regulatory environment, with many landlords and investors living with such uncertainty on renters’ reform since the government made it a manifesto commitment in 2019.

‘This uncertainly has undoubtedly had a cooling effect on the private rented sector and delayed many investment decisions.

‘It is therefore imperative that not only does this Bill get passed overall to prevent landlords living with uncertainty for a further prolonged period, but the government’s amendments in relation to an initial six-month period for tenants, the requirement for an assessment on the county court possession system before abolishing Section 21, and changes to protect student landlords in particular are retained as the Bill progresses through its next stages in the House of Lords.’

Image: Tumisu

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The current government have continuously missed housing targets, however with a upcoming general election, Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder of ASK, has detailed what he want he wants to see from the next prime minister.

Delivering affordable homes not only helps put roofs over people’s heads, but it could be the key to getting us out of a recession. 

Dear the next government,

Housing is at the centre of the election battleground. This is unsurprising given the economic uncertainty and that history shows that housing tends to lead the wider economy both into and out of downturns. We have recently seen small rises in house prices and mortgage approval rates to prove there are some green shoots but, without some major changes it doesn’t look like we can dig our way out of this recession.

You have suggested a target of 300,000 homes per year however this has been the target for the current government since 2004 and it has not been met once. France by contrast has built nearly twice as many homes as the UK since 1970 despite having comparable population growth. The shortfall in fact means, according to Capital Economics, that we now need 385,000 new homes a year.

The root of this problem has been four-fold. A reliance solely on the major housebuilders; a politically aligned planning system that deters councils from being pro-development; a net loss of social housing of 200,000 homes in the last decade as a result of demolition or sale through ‘right to buy,’ and loss of construction workers post-Brexit. Without fixing the roots of this supply problem we will not solve the affordability crisis we are currently facing.

Get SME housebuilders building again

SME housebuilders can play a major part in meeting our needs. Before the 2008 financial crash, small developers built 40% of our homes; now it is just 15%. Smaller developments and companies are often better received in the local area, which helps with objections. But, we would urge the government to provide incentives so they can access opportunities. One example could be making local authorities allocate a percentage of their land in small plots to create a supply-side push. In addition, developers could be awarded fully permissive planning permission for brownfield sites of less than 2.5 hectares. Government-backed equity schemes would also give these smaller firms the balance sheets needed for projects. It would also be advisable to improve the public perception of the major housebuilders who are often very ill-received.

Boost skilled labour in construction

Finding good contractors has become very difficult, many now work in small teams which makes development projects much harder to manage. We need the next government to focus its efforts on creating more homegrown jobs as we can’t rely on overseas workers. To raise productivity, more work needs to be done off-site in factories which would attract more women and young people into the sector and reduce construction costs and build times.

Fix the planning system

The planning system is on the brink of collapse, plagued by a conflict of interest that ousts pro-development councils during local elections. This flawed process forces councillors to vote against their own plans, leading to costly delays as inspectors and the Secretary of State become involved. The unnecessary logjams are costing developers millions. We must act decisively – demand independent decision-making to eliminate conflicts tied to re-election and call for private sector assistance to clear the backlog of applications.

Prioritise social housing

To deliver the level of social housing required, we need to take the pressure off the private sector by empowering councils. Compulsory purchase orders need further reform. For example, introducing some automatic conditions, under which authorities can exercise compulsory purchase powers without paying hope value, would simplify the process and avoid authorities having to ask the Secretary of State what is officially deemed in the ‘public interest’ and deter a flood of applications related to purchasing many small plots which would jam the system. Local targets should also be set to encourage powers they have been afforded.

Alleviate restrictions on conversions and brownfield sites

It’s time to incentivise developers to build on brownfield land. Support the automatic granting of planning permission for sites with plans meeting minimum ESG requirements. I believe we should prioritise the use of existing buildings over new constructions, and advocate for the lifting of boundaries on conversion projects.

Lenders have an important part to play

Developments require capital and smaller developers will need to seek funding from challenger banks or non-bank lenders who are able to offer flexible terms. These particular establishments can also evaluate risk in changing market conditions. At ASK, we will be looking to support well-capitalised developers with creative strategies to bring the much-needed new homes and commercial accommodation to market in line with occupier demand.

It is crucial to acknowledge that addressing the challenges our nation currently faces requires a sustained and committed effort. We urge you to stand firm in your commitment, even if it means facing temporary unpopularity. Embrace a pro-growth agenda and effectively communicate the repercussions of the supply-demand imbalance on home affordability. The issue at hand is distinctive to the UK, with the only silver lining being the influx of foreign investment into our real estate market. Investors seeking a secure haven for long-term capital recognise the potential underservice in our housing market for the next five to 20 years. To ensure a prosperous future, we implore you to take decisive action, leading us towards a balanced and sustainable housing market.

Yours sincerely, 

Daniel Austin. 

Images: Aleks Marinkovic and Huy Hóng Hớt

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The specialist retail property investment organisation has appointed Gerry Murphy, NHS director and former Deloitte partner, as a non-executive director.

Arguably, there is no one better qualified to join Capital & Regional’s team. Gerry Murphy, who is also set to take over as chairman of the group’s audit committee from Ian Krieger once he stands down on 3rd June, is currently a non-executive director of Currys and was previously senior independent director of Capital & Counties Properties.

Ian Krieger is due to stand down from his role as he will have served his full nine-year term as an independent director of the company.

Murphy is also a non-executive board member of the Department of Health and Social Care, chairs its audit and risk committee and is a co-operated member of the NHS England audit and risk assurance committee.

Commenting on the news, David Hunter, chair of Capital & Regional, has said that Murphy will be bringing great financial expertise to the company.

‘Gerry brings a wealth of retail, property and financial experience from a diverse range of real estate and related businesses, which is directly relevant to our strategy,’ Hunter said. ‘His expertise will be invaluable to the company and its future growth ambitions, and the board and I very much look forward to working with him.’

Hunter added: ‘On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank Ian who has been a highly supportive and insightful board member during a period of significant change for the company.’

Image: Gerry Murphy 

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The Bill is finally set to return to the House of Commons today to receive its second reading, where industry experts have explained a lot of work needs to be done.

Back in 2019, the Renters (Reform) Bill was proposed in a bid to axe section 21 notices, which give landlords the power to evict their tenants on short notice.  So far, the new legislation has been ineffective as a result of delays in Parliament, which have caused more people to be cast out of their homes. Recent figures from housing charity Shelter, found the number of households evicted by bailiffs rose by 39% last year.

However, the Bill was published in May 2023 and is finally due for its second reading in the House of Commons today. But despite progress, various industry experts have claimed major revisions need to be completed before it is made into law.

Darren Baxter, principal policy advisor at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), said: ‘As it stands the Renters (Reform) Bill prioritises placating landlords and backbenches over strengthening tenants’ rights. The Renters’ Reform Coalition is right to highlight the serious inadequacy of the Bill, which has been repeatedly watered down. While its primary aim has been to end no-fault evictions, it offers no clear timeframe or commitment as to when this will be done, reneging on promises made to renters over five years ago.’

The Renters Reform Coalition, which is made up of 20 leading organisations – one of them being the JRF – was created to ensure the new Bill favours tenants’ rights over private landlords’.

Darren added: ‘There is still time to do the right thing. Ministers must table amendments to the Bill that reverse the delay to ending Section 21 or no-fault evictions. The Bill must also limit in-tenancy rent increases to the lowest of either inflation or wage growth to prevent landlords from pricing tenants out of their homes.’

Echoing a similar tone, Anthony Kyriacou, CEO and founder of Krispyhouse, has claimed that currently, the Bill is failing the UK rental market.

‘Despite the plethora of amendments suggested by government MPs and the Labour Party, the Bill in its current state still does not strike the right balance between the interests of landlords and tenants,’ Anthony said. ‘The intention is noble, to give tenants better security of tenure, more certainty over their future in a tenanted property, while trying to ensure the Bill does not make the private rental market so unattractive that landlords don’t continue to leave the market as they have been doing for the past few years.’

Anthony continued: ‘Now spanning more than 112 pages and set for a second reading in the Commons [today], the Bill still fails in its purpose to streamline the needlessly complex property market, while also not meeting the real needs of both tenants and landlords. As drafted, I fear that more landlords will decide to leave the market, leaving tenants in a worse position as stock diminishes, prompting a further rise in rents.’

As well as looking to abolish no-fault evictions, the Bill will also mean tenants won’t be able to give two months’ notice leave until they have been in a property for at least four months. Student housing will also be given a new ground for possession to ensure landlords can retain the annual cycle of tenants.

Despite apprehensions, Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association has said that the introduction of the Bill is great news.

‘This Bill delivers a fair deal for tenants and responsible landlords. In the interests of certainty for the sector it is now time to ensure the Bill passes through Parliament,’ Ben said. ‘For renters, the Bill will abolish section 21 repossessions and fixed term tenancies, introduce a Decent Homes Standard for the sector, a new Ombudsman and Property Portal which landlords will have to join as well as measures to protect families and those in receipt of benefits from discrimination.’

Although, with this being said, Ben also noted that ‘the tenant group, Generation Rent, has rightly warned that landlords selling properties is ‘a leading cause of homelessness.’

Ben said: ‘The only answer to this is ensuring responsible landlords feel confident enough to stay in the market. Greater security for tenants will mean nothing if the rental homes are not there in the first place.’

Image: Heidi Fin

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A new report from the Living Wage Trust has found that the capital is the region in the UK with the highest number of insecure jobs, with 80,000 falling into the category.

The research, which was published this morning, included analysis from data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which found that that workers in London are more likely to have jobs that involve variable working hours or shift work compared to the rest of the UK – 64% of Londoners work these types of jobs compared to 54% outside of the city.

In addition, experts discovered London grafters are more likely to experience shift cancellations – 35% of Londoners with variable hours said they have experienced unexpected shift cancellations compared to 25% of workers within the rest of the UK.

Alone, these findings are far from satisfactory, but paired with the continuing cost-of-living crisis, it makes them all the more devastating. From the workers who frequently experience shift cuts, 92% claimed they don’t receive their regular pay when this occurs, making it even harder to make ends meet.

However, in a bid to provide some support, Citizens UK is calling on the next government to introduce policies that will strengthen people’s rights and access to predictable, sufficient working hours. This would involve introducing a new right to an employment contract that reflects actual hours worked; requiring employers to provide four weeks’ minimum notice of shifts with reasonable compensation for short notice shift cancellations; and requiring employers to provide a minimum number of guaranteed hours. 

Against this backdrop, the UK’s largest people-powered campaign group who work towards achieving equal rights, have also set up the Making London a Living Wage City project, which is working to tackle issues of low pay and insecure work through Living Wage and Living Hours accreditations. It aims to put over £635m back into the pockets of low paid workers and ensure at least 10,000 workers in London benefit from the security of Living Hours by accrediting businesses to become Living Wage and Living Hours Employers. 

Michael, a Driver Fitter who works in the Newham area for Enabled Living – a council owned company which provides a number of services, including medical equipment, to help Newham residents live independently, said: ‘Working at Enabled Living allows me to have a fair wage, rely on secure shifts and I have working hours that help me look after my children and elderly parents. It has changed my life for the better.’

‘I previously worked in retail and often worked a lot of overtime and had much longer days, but everyone was always paid the same, despite extra hours worked,’ Michael said. ‘I was never able to support my family the way I can now. I couldn’t give my daughter the time she needed to learn and develop. The money I earn now has allowed me to pay for extra curriculum tuition for my daughter, which has allowed her to pass her 11+.’

Michael added: ‘I don’t think she’d be in that position if I wasn’t working for a Living Hours employer. Having decent and regular hours has allowed me to plan ahead for the future, this helps not just myself but my family too.’

Gina Rodriguez, a previous hospitality worker and leader on the Making London a Living Wage City Steering Group, said: ‘The issue of low pay remains so close to my heart. It makes me sad to know there are people right now who are living how I was 15 years ago – working hard but still in poverty. With the cost-of-living crisis, too many low-paid workers are worrying about whether they can afford to turn the heating on during winter or if they’ll be able to afford groceries. This shouldn’t happen in one of the richest cities in the world.’

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Savills Financial Consultants has helped a Manchester-based housing organisation secure three new deals worth £284m with Santander, NatWest and ABN AMRO.

Great Places Housing Group have recently outlined plans to invest and deliver much-needed affordable properties in communities across the North West, Yorkshire and Derbyshire but, there was one minor factor holding them back, money.

However, Savills Financial Consultants have stepped in and helped the group secure three new deals. Funding of £109m and £100m has been agreed with existing lenders Santander and NatWest Bank and a new deal has been struck with ABN AMRO worth £75m. All loans are revolving credit facilities (RCFs).

Each of the three RCFs contain sustainability-linked performance measures which will provide a reduced interest rate if Great Places meet agreed energy efficiency targets on new and existing homes.

Mike Roche, director at Savills Financial Consultants, said: ‘We are delighted to continue and develop our relationships with NatWest and Santander and welcome ABN AMRO as a new banking partner. We received strong interest from the banking sector for this transaction and it is pleasing to move forward with sustainability-linked funding. Thank you to the Great Places team and Savills for their insight and support.’

‘There were a significant number of moving parts with these deals, so it is a testament to the Great Places team that they have been able to handle the process so diligently,’ Mike added. ‘The Savills Financial Consultants team has really enjoyed helping Great Places secure this increased financial capacity at the right pricing to help deliver their aims.’

Great Places’ current plans include further increasing resources to improve property conditions and customer services, as well as ambition to develop around 9,000 new affordable homes during the period 2020-30.

Martin Skinner, relationship director at NatWest, said: ‘We are a major lender to the UK affordable housing sector and are delighted to continue to support the important work of Great Places in providing much-needed social housing to the region. The RCF structure, coupled with sustainability-linked performance measures, will lead to more energy efficient homes across the North West, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

‘We are proud to have announced that in 2023 we completed nearly £3bn of new funding to help more people and families have access to housing. We support around 200 housing associations across the UK and are proud to announce our ambition to provide a further £5bn in funding to support the housing association sector by the end of 2026.’

Image: Great Places 

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